Mock Caldecott 2026 discussion

Help our group read the best of the best.
Write 2019 Caldecott contenders here for our reading lists.

Here are some of my favorite titles that will be released soon. I tried to shorten the list but I couldn't omit any of these wonderful books.

Hello Lighthouse- Sophie Blackall
Hello Hello- Brendan Wenzel
All the Animals Where I Live- Philip C. Stead
Night Out- Daniel Miyares
Moon- Alison Oliver
Ocean Meets Sky- The Fan Brothers
How Sweet the Sound: The Story of Amazing Grace- Carole Boston Weatherford
A House That Once Was- Julie Fogliano

I'd like to recommend If I Had a Horse by Gianna Marino; wonderful watercolors that transition through the pages.

*They Say Blue by Jillian Tamaki - heartwarming
*Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World by Susan Hood and 14 illustrators

I, also, love Hello Lighthouse. That one is my favorite so far.

Carol wrote: "*They Say Blue by Jillian Tamaki - heartwarming
*Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World by Susan Hood and 14 illustrators"

Those two books are outstanding. The cover art for They Say Blue is astounding.

Agree with Laura on by Brendan Wenzel

Sometimes you Fly by Applegate and Reinhardt is a positive read, beautiful words and fun whimsical illustrations on the delights and challenges of growing up.

Robin wrote: "I, also, love Hello Lighthouse. That one is my favorite so far."

I agree. I fell in love with that book.

-Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love - timely discussion on this book
-The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang - graphic novel rated for high school (also timely discussions!)

Run Wild by David Covell has wonderful appeal - language and illustrations.

This Is the Nest That Robin Built by Denise Fleming



wonderful collages!

What if...by Samantha Berger and illustrated by Mike Curato is fabulous! I love how he mixes mediums including photos of real items.

Ocean Meets Sky by Terry Fan



I thought this was a beautiful book about a little boy's dream.

Beverly wrote: "Ocean Meets Sky by Terry Fan



I thought this was a beautiful book about a little boy's dream." Along with Drawn Together, these are my two favorite picture books for the year!

I enjoy voting at this Goodread's Listopia for Mock Caldecott. My votes fluctuate as new books are published during the year and my thoughts change. You might enjoy this, too. Link: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

A few more really nice books...
Adrian Simcox does not have a horse by Marcy Campbell
Martin Rising by the Pinkneys
Alma & How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal
Forever or a Day by Sarah Jacoby
I am Enough by Grace Byers
Imagine by Raul Colon
The Rough Patch by Brian Lies
A Stone for Sascha by Aaron Becker
....so many great ones this year!

Kristen wrote: "Help our group read the best of the best.
Write 2019 Caldecott contenders here for our reading lists."

I am adding Dreamers by Yuyi Morales, Blue by Laura Vaccaro Seeger and Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love to my list. A wonderful, wonderful year for picture books.

Laura wrote: "Kristen wrote: "Help our group read the best of the best.
Write 2019 Caldecott contenders here for our reading lists."

I am adding Dreamers by Yuyi Morales, Blue by Laura Vaccaro Seeger and Julia..."
Julian ranks high on my list. Still waiting on Dreamers to come from the library. And Blue is new to me! Thanks; I will look for it!

Carol wrote: "Laura wrote: "Kristen wrote: "Help our group read the best of the best.
Write 2019 Caldecott contenders here for our reading lists."

I am adding Dreamers by Yuyi Morales, Blue by Laura Vaccaro Se..."

The greatness of Dreamers and Blue will blow you away. They are the best of the best.

Love, love Imagine! by Raúl Colon.

Susan wrote: "Love, love Imagine! by Raúl Colon."

Me, too! I can't believe I forgot to add that to my list. It is remarkable.

I too vote for Dreamers! Wow! But an even bigger wow for me is The Stuff of Stars -it honestly took my breath away. This is turning out to be a banner year!

Carol wrote: "Run Wild by David Covell has wonderful appeal - language and illustrations."

Yes! It's just beautiful and fun to read.

Beverly wrote: "This Is the Nest That Robin Built by Denise Fleming



wonderful collages!"

Beverly wrote: "This Is the Nest That Robin Built by Denise Fleming



wonderful collages!"

Exceptional illustrations! Great words too.

Carol wrote: "Run Wild by David Covell has wonderful appeal - language and illustrations."

We have read a lot of fantastic books this year but have we missed your favorite?

List the books that you would like to see as our book of the month. We will use the list for the remainder of the year.

The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
A Parade of Elephants by Kevin Henkes
Moon by Allison Oliver
Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
Blue by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Forever or A Day by Sarah Jacoby
The Stuff of Stars by Marion Dane Bauer and Ekua Holmes
What Do You Do With a Voice Like That by Chris Barton & Ekua Holmes

The Stuff of Stars by Marion Dane Bauer and Ekua Holmes - This is an absolutely beautiful book and I honestly hope the Caldecott Committee thinks so too.

Euka Holmes - Bravo - Two beautiful books in the same year!!!

Laura wrote: "The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
A Parade of Elephants by Kevin Henkes
Moon by Allison Oliver
Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
Blue by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Forever or A Day by Sarah Jacoby
..."

Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love was not missed; it was on the July list.

Beverly wrote: "Laura wrote: "The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
A Parade of Elephants by Kevin Henkes
Moon by Allison Oliver
Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
Blue by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Forever or A Day by..."

I thought that might have been so. I am absolutely in love with it.

We have read a lot of wonderful books this year, but did we miss your favorite. Vote on our poll and write in your pick for the book of the month in November. More then one favorite? Write the extra's in the comments.
Thank you!

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1...

Laura Vaccaro Seeger's Blue is growing on me with every read. I was bound and determined that I was going to say it is a beautiful book but not exceptional but then I opened it again and something happened and maybe I think it is exceptional.... I'm not sure it's the winner but it should have an honor medal, I think.

Cathy wrote: "Laura Vaccaro Seeger's Blue is growing on me with every read. I was bound and determined that I was going to say it is a beautiful book but not exceptional but then I opened it again and something ..."

I agree, Blue is a beautiful book.

Cathy wrote: "Laura Vaccaro Seeger's Blue is growing on me with every read. I was bound and determined that I was going to say it is a beautiful book but not exceptional but then I opened it again and something ..."

It is magical. I adore it.

Why are we not talking about A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin? It is EVERYTHING! I loved it before I heard her speak about it, but now that I know why she made some of her artistic choices I'm blown away. Check out her ALSC speech from the end of Sept. if you haven't yet. The references to Coles Phillips are beautifully understated, the story circular, original and lending to multiple readings--truly distinguished!

My other favorite for this year is Dreamers by Yuyi Morales. It's Medal Bait--enough said.

C wrote: "Why are we not talking about A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin? It is EVERYTHING! I loved it before I heard her speak about it, but now that I know why she made some of her artistic choic..."
My mom passed away a few weeks ago; I have been away from this wonderful list. I loved A Big Mooncake for Little Stars. How can the committee ever pick from all of these great books. Are you following the Vote her at Goodreads for the Choice Awards. I see some great picture books, that we have discussed and a few others, I need to read! Be sure and vote in the Semi-Finals and Finals!