Mock Caldecott 2026 discussion

Hi All,
I'm working on compiling my 2016 Mock Caldecott list (up to July) for a grant. Below is what I'm thinking to this point, but I'd love to hear the thoughts of all you smart picture book readers. By no means are these my final choices. (And if you've seen any ARCs that you think would be great, I'd love to hear about those as well.)
Float--Miyares
The Night World--Gerstein
Sidewalk Flowers--Lawson
A Fine Dessert--Jenkins
If You Plant a Seed--Nelson

Thanks for your help,
Jennifer

Hi Jennifer, I totally agree with "A Fine Dessert". It is truly special!

Just determined that Sidewalk Flowers isn't eligible, since Lawson is Canadian. Bummer...

Lenny & Lucy

Richie wrote: "Lenny & Lucy"

I love every Stead collaboration. They are one great team.

Librarygarden wrote: "Hi All,
I'm working on compiling my 2016 Mock Caldecott list (up to July) for a grant. Below is what I'm thinking to this point, but I'd love to hear the thoughts of all you smart picture book read..."

Grandma in Blue with Red Hat by Scott Melchin is just wonderful. It is being overlooked by many ppl which is an absolute shame. It is fantastic.

Waiting by Kevin Henkes -Not out yet...I saw an ARC.

Niki (Daydream Reader) wrote: "Waiting by Kevin Henkes -Not out yet...I saw an ARC."

Waiting is beautiful and simple.

I also love Yard Sale!

Niki (Daydream Reader) wrote: "I also love Yard Sale!"

Me too!

My Pen by Christopher Myers

Marcie wrote: "My Pen by Christopher Myers"

Marcie,
Can you tell me what in My Pen speaks to you? I read it a few months ago and wasn't that taken by it. I think I may need to give it another look.
Thanks,
Jennifer

Niki (Daydream Reader) wrote: "I also love Yard Sale!"

Yes, I love Yard Sale as well! I wish I would have seen the ARC of Waiting at ALA. I'm also loving Boats for Papa as well. My list is growing! Thanks everyone...

I called My Pen, the ultimate drawing mentor text. The Escheresque illustrations made me want to pick up a pen and start experimenting, and I think will do that even more for budding artists. I love the celebration and experimentation that the art encourages. With kids I might want to pair it with Raul Calon's Draw which was my pick for last year's Caldecott and I believe did garner an honor. I don't have My Pen here but will look again and see if it continues to seem powerful.

Marcie wrote: "I called My Pen, the ultimate drawing mentor text. The Escheresque illustrations made me want to pick up a pen and start experimenting, and I think will do that even more for budding artists. I ..."

I am still in disbelief that Draw didn't win at least an honor. It is a gorgeous and amazing book. I like Pen but there has been little interest in it among children in my area (NY). It is done very well-clever and imaginative. Definitely a Caldecott contender.

Marcie wrote: "My Pen by Christopher Myers"

I really like "My Pen" too. I think it is a major contender.

Laura wrote: "Richie wrote: "Lenny & Lucy"

I love every Stead collaboration. They are one great team."

I agree. Stories are solid and the art adds humor with the smallness of the characters, yet so alive and vulnerable.

Laura wrote: "Niki (Daydream Reader) wrote: "Waiting by Kevin Henkes -Not out yet...I saw an ARC."

Waiting is beautiful and simple."

Waiting is out now. Adorable and purposeful.

Patty wrote: "Laura wrote: "Richie wrote: "Lenny & Lucy"

I love every Stead collaboration. They are one great team."

I agree. Stories are solid and the art adds humor with the smallness of the characters, yet ..."

Their collaborations are like storybook magic. Absolute children's lit greatness here.

"Full Moon at the Napping House" by Don and Audrey Wood-another classic created by the duo.

Laura wrote: "Patty wrote: "Laura wrote: "Richie wrote: "Lenny & Lucy"

I love every Stead collaboration. They are one great team."

I agree. Stories are solid and the art adds humor with the smallness of the ch..."

Storybook magic. Great term to use in their description/identification.

Flutter and Hum by Julie Paschkis is a beautiful book - fabulous ilustrations.

Julie wrote: "Flutter and Hum by Julie Paschkis is a beautiful book - fabulous ilustrations."

I am a huge fan of this book, too. Unusually stunning. A definite Caldecott contender.

I pretty much love all the books mentioned above, with a few as major Caldecott contenders. I will do several for my annual Caldecott Contender review series at Wonders in the Dark. Here are some other great titles:

Mummy Cat (Ewert/Brown)
How to Draw A Dragon (Florian)
Water is Water (Chin)
Wolfie the Bunny (Dyckman/OHora)
Wait (Portis)
Fire Engine Number 9 (Austin)
Daylight Starlight (Minor)
Last Stop on Market Street (De La Pena/Robinson)
Juneteenth For Mazie(Cooper)
Two Mice (Ruzzier)
Finding Spring (Berger)
You Nest Here With Me (Yolen/Stemple/Sweet)
Float (Miyares)
Tricky Vic (Pizzoli)
Drum Dream Girl (Engle/Lopez)
In A Village by the Sea (Van/Chu)
The Moon is Going to Addy's House (Pearle)
Should You Be A River (Young)
Leo the Ghost (Barnett/Robinson)

I am still sorting things out, but there are several more.

-Sam Juliano

Sam wrote: "I pretty much love all the books mentioned above, with a few as major Caldecott contenders. I will do several for my annual Caldecott Contender review series at Wonders in the Dark. Here are some..."

Water is Water is extraordinary. One of my top favorite Caldecott contenders for 2016. Choice no.1 is Waiting by Kevin Henkes. He truly sets the bar for all children's book writers and illustrators. He is brilliant.

Sam wrote: "I pretty much love all the books mentioned above, with a few as major Caldecott contenders. I will do several for my annual Caldecott Contender review series at Wonders in the Dark. Here are some..."

Thanks for your list Sam. There are some new ones on there I'll look for this weekend. I love In a Village By the Sea!

I like water is water but really felt Wait was wonderful and the heavy paper and use of white space enhanced it. The simple story is expanded by the illustrations which is a plus for a Caldecott book.

Laura wrote: "Patty wrote: "Laura wrote: "Richie wrote: "Lenny & Lucy"

I love every Stead collaboration. They are one great team."

I agree. Stories are solid and the art adds humor with the smallness of the ch..."

Lenny and Lucy has a unique story line. It resolves a child's fear of the forest near his new house. It's clever and I would expect it to be embraced by children. Stead's art enhances the storyline to perfection.

My top Caldecott Contenders:
Whisper by Pamela Zagarenski(LOVE THIS ONE!!! My top pick!)
BOOK by David Miles & Illustrated by Natalie Hoopes(love the art more than the storyline)
My Pen by Christopher Myers(mentor text)
Welcome Home, Bear by Il Sung Na
Float by Miyares

Also on my list:
Nelson's Plant and Seed & Lenny and Lucy by Stead
(#1 Whisper #2 Book #3 Welcome Home, Bear #4 Float #5 My Pen)
I am not a fan of Waiting by Kevin Henkes.
Haven't read Florian's How to Draw a Dragon..its on my list.

Librarygarden wrote: "Hi All,
I'm working on compiling my 2016 Mock Caldecott list (up to July) for a grant. Below is what I'm thinking to this point, but I'd love to hear the thoughts of all you smart picture book read..."

Hi Jennifer. Sidewalk Flowers is ineligible. But it is a beauty.

If You Plant a Seed is one of my top picks, followed closely by Waiting by Henkes.

Sidewalk Flowers is such a beautiful story! Congrats to the author, illustrator on the big Canadian award in Children's Lit!

I love If You Plant a Seed. I also love Waiting. To finish out my top five favorites, for today, are Boats for Papa, The Night World, and Outstanding in the Rain! However, I have forty-five more titles on my Caldecott Best Picks and am still reading more 2015 titles!!!

I haven't read Flutter and Hum or A Fine Dessert. Will check them out. Also waiting to see ONLY CHILD due out in Dec.
Top contenders to date:
The Whisper, my #1
Welcome Home, Bear #1.2
My Pen
How to Draw a Dragon
book
Float

Love Lenny and Lucy storyline, but choose above titles as Caldecott winners. Not a fan of Waiting...