Mock Caldecott 2026 discussion

Darwin One Beetle Too Many By Kathryn Lasky

Red Sings from Treetops A Year in Colors by Joyce Sidman

The Curious Garden by Pete Brown

What did you guys think? Did you like the illustrations? Which of the three do you think is the best?

These titles were so diverse. They were all great and I thoroughly enjoyed them, but I wonder what the Caldecott committee will think.

Darwin’s story was well illustrated and interesting but I wonder how it will be received by children. Has anyone tested it with small children?


Red sing was not at all what I thought it would be. It was clever and fun look at the seasons and colors.

The Curious Garden was probably my favorite of the three. I liked how the curious garden explored with a little help. Very cute.

It has taken me awhile to report on these titles, I just had a really hard time getting my hands on Red Sings from the Treetops, and I wanted to wait till I had seen them all.