Mock Caldecott 2026 discussion

With the Caldecott awards just around the corner the task of whittling down the reading list is daunting. There is always more to read.

On that note, how do you think these books will be received, or awarded, by the committee?

Lenny & Lucy by Philip C. Stead

Meet the Dullards by Sara Pennypacker

The Skunk by Mac Barnett

Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans by Don Brown

It's Only Stanley by Jon Agee

Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick

I adore The Skunk and Finding Winnie. It is unclear to me whether Lindsay Mattick is a U.S. resident. I think she needs to be even though she is not the illustrator for her book to given the award. Lenny & Lucy is glorious as well. These three books are worthy of the Caldecott. My number one choice for the Caldecott gold is Kevin Henkes Waiting. Drowned City is extremely well done. The style of Meet the Dullards is eye catching and original. I love Jon Agee but It's Only Stanley is not one of my favorite Agee titles.

Out these my choice would be Lenny & Lucy. Erin Stead's illustrations are amazing! Timeless & beautiful.
I liked the illustrations in The Skunk, but wasn't a fan of the story. But in pulling all of my Caldecott books off the shelves yesterday that shouldn't matter ;)

Drowned City:
This is a good book with good information about a terrible tragedy. Since it is in graphic novel style (i.e., comic book panels), the illustrations perfectly convey what the text is stating in each panel. However, I thought the illustrations were good, but not exceptional.

Finding Winnie:
I really liked this story and the ink and watercolor illustrations. I also really liked the connection to Christopher Robin at the end, and the illustration and photo of him with Winnie in the zoo enclosure. Can you imagine any zoo of today allowing that?! Anyway, I think it is worthy of a Caldecott or a Sibert mention.

The Skunk:
I thought the story was kind of weird. The reader never finds out exactly why the skunk is stalking that man. The cartoon illustrations are great and are perfectly suited to the oddball story.

Beverly wrote: "The Skunk:
I thought the story was kind of weird. The reader never finds out exactly why the skunk is stalking that man. The cartoon illustrations are great and are perfectly suited to the oddball ..."

I really liked it. It kind of reminded me of vintage comics.

I do think though that it is one of those books that is more for adults than for children. Has anyone read it with kids? I'd love to know their reaction.

I would be surprised to see any of these get gold or an honor. Of the bunch, I actually enjoyed It's Only Stanley the most, but don't feel it's distinguished. I've always enjoyed Agee's sense of humor and his simple style of illustration.

Oh my goodness! I did not realize Finding Winnie was on this list! I've had it on hold for a while and finally just got my hands on it. This is it, the winner. I love the way the story is told and connections are made. Blackall is overdue for a gold, too. I had very high hopes for this book and it did not disappoint.

Lenny & Lucy:
I really liked this story and the illustrations. Peter sees his new world as mostly gray, except for his dog and the two guardians that he created, and which seemed to come alive at the end. And of course, he finally makes a new (human) friend. I think book is also worthy of a Caldecott mention.

It's Only Stanley:
I thought this book was laugh out loud funny! The family doesn't seem concerned at all the things the dog is doing, only concerned about losing sleep. Until they realize he has turned their house into a rocket ship to the moon. But, like Jenni above, I don't think the illustrations are particularly distinguished, but they are funny!

The Dullards:
I thought this was a very humorous story, with the parents somewhat clueless as to what their children get up to. I thought the cartoon artwork worked well with the story, but I don't know that it is distinguished enough to garner a Caldecott.

I agree with Skunk, why his he following the man.. I thought The Dullards was funny but iI do not think of it as a Caldecott. Its only Stanley was enjoyable but as others stated not for Caldecott. I loved Lenny and Lucy very well could be a contender. Drowned City was good but I would not have it as a choice for a contender.

I have yet been able to get my hands on Finding Winnie

I can see Lenny and Lucy winning a Caldecott or Honor but I personally didn't like it that much. I really liked Finding Winnie and would be happy if it won an award. Great illustrations, story and I love the connection at the end also.

Still on the hold list for Lenny & Lucy, but I loved Finding Winnie!

I finally got to read Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear. I loved this book. It was a sweet biography/ picture book. The illustrations were just amazing. I loved how they included images of actually photos Harry Colebourn