Mock Caldecott 2026 discussion

Love by Matt de la Pena, illustrated by Loren Long,

&

The Great Dictionary Caper by Judy Sierra, illustrated by Eric Comstock,
is the perfect way to kick off a new year of reading.
What did you think of these titles?

Nothing that special about “Love” Not even going to purchase for my library.

Caren wrote: "Nothing that special about “Love” Not even going to purchase for my library."

I agree with you completely. The illustrations elevate the text but not enough.

I think "Love" is gorgeous. Maybe it has to do with the fact that the author and illustrator presented at my children's school, and read the book aloud, but I love the illustrations and the text reads like a poem. I've read it several times and think it sparks such great conversations with students---especially the illustration of the child and his dog hiding under the piano.

You might be able to find video of Matt reading Love (I think I saw it on Facebook somewhere) I also love the idea of this book, but wasn't overwhelmed by the overall words/pictures.

Laura wrote: "Caren wrote: "Nothing that special about “Love” Not even going to purchase for my library."

I agree with you completely. The illustrations elevate the text but not enough."

I couldn't agree with you ladies more.

Although I enjoyed most of the illustrations, I almost couldn't make it through this book. It was Boring with a capital "B." I feel as if it has no child appeal, and to me, that is a major deal breaker for a picture book.

The most exciting thing about this book was the title. Other than that, it was a total snoozefest.

I was disappointed when this book arrived. It had a starred review in Kirkus and the was why I purchased it. If I had seen it before hand I would have saved my resources for something else. Perhaps in a classroom situation this book might have some good purpose but if I brought it home from the public library to read with my child I would have been disappointed! There may be some who really like it but it does not seem to have universal appeal an award winner ought to have in my opinion.

I am so sad to see that "Love" is not getting a whole lot of love on this page. I think it is a beautiful book from the text to the illustrations. It's the kind of book that you can return to again and again and see something new. What "Love" has going for it is its calm reminders of where love can be found in the small moments of each day. A father getting up early and going to work each day...that's love. An older sibling making sure the younger one(s) have breakfast each day...that's love. A family trying to shield its youngest member from the evils of the world...that's love. And love sometimes comes with hurt and disappointment through broken relationships and losses. But the love of others around us can get us through. I like how this book reminds me to open my eyes each day to the little signs of love.

Stacy wrote: " Although I enjoyed most of the illustrations, I almost couldn't make it through this book. It was Boring with a capital "B." I feel as if it has no child appeal, and to me..."

Love reminded me of the old 1960's Love is...books by Joan Walsh Anglund in concept. Except more lavishly illustrated and the text is too much. It might have made a terrific smaller sized adult gift book.

Well, rats. I was all ready to love Love...but my expectations were too high. There are some beautiful and powerful ideas here about love; and some remarkable illustrations; and some simple poetic text that works. But then there are pages and words that do not work. It feels clunky, unedited, like it could be great but not enough time was spent doing the work to get it there.

It appears I enjoyed Love well enough when I first read it to give it 5 stars, but I have to admit, I don't recall details of the book. Perhaps that is telling. I'm requesting it again for another read. (All the copies in our library are checked out - perhaps that is telling as well.)

Love was a disappointment based on seeing the cover for the first time. I felt the text was beyond a picture book audience and would leave little listeners dissatisfied. Some of the descriptions left me a bit confused. The illustrations were lovely and inclusive but I couldn't see this being an award winner without a solid marriage between text and illustrations.

I absolutely love Love!! I got goosebumps reading the words by Matt de la Peña and illustrations by Loren Long. I have read it to 4th graders and kindergarten and it is definitely a book that the older students appreciate more than the littles do. There were audible gasps and tears from my 4th graders. It is a truly magical book. I think that the illustrations are definitely worthy of a Caldecott.

Love is drop-dead gorgeous. I adored it.

Just read the Great Dictionary Caper today. Did your copy have the word "rhyming" misspelled? (on approximately pg 25) I was surprised that none of the review journals mentioned this mistake (Booklist, School Library Journal, Publisher's Weekly). In a book about words, it seems so terribly wrong to have a misspelling. Apart from that, the illustrations made the story way to busy to appreciate the words. This one disappoints for sure.

Bethany wrote: "Just read the Great Dictionary Caper today. Did your copy have the word "rhyming" misspelled? (on approximately pg 25) I was surprised that none of the review journals mentioned this mistake (Bookl..."

I agree so much! It made my head hurt to try reading this one.

Love

I have to disagree with Kate. I thought there was a solid marriage between words and illustrations; not only that, but I thought the illustrations gave enough extra details to help with understanding the words. I really liked the startling effect of having a very large face staring at you, and all the colorful umbrellas in the rain. I agree that it is book for the older elementary students. I don't know if it will merit a Caldecott or not, but it is a very nice book.

The Great Dictionary Caper
Our library copy finally came in. While I found the book quite amusing and loved the glossary in the back, I didn't really think of it as a Caldecott winner.

And you are right, Bethany--"rhyming" is misspelled as "ryhming." I wonder how the editor missed that.