Mock Caldecott 2026 discussion

What are you reading that is Caldecott award worthy? Post the titles to watch for here!

I enjoyed Good Night Wind by Linda Elovitz Marshall, illustrated by Maelle Doliveux. The paper art illustrations were very elaborate.

The Important Thing About Margaret Wise Brown is remarkable. Brave, glorious and already one of my favorite picture book bio's of the year. Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree by Jamie L.B. Deenihan. It is fun, happy, lively and beautiful. Because by Mo Willems is enchanting. Willems doesn't illustrate it but it is gorgeous. How to Read a Book by Kwame Alexander and ill. by Melissa Sweet. Perfection. Looking forward to A Stone for Sasha by Brendan Wenzel. Releasing in August.

The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander and Kadir Nelson. What is Given from the Heart by Patricia C. McKissack and April Harrison.

I very much liked The Donkey Egg by Janet Stevens.
I thought the book was very clever and humorous. The artwork gives the animals so much expression and character.

Please vote and rank your Caldecott reads on the listopia Mock Caldecott list. I often choose selections from it and other lists.

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

Little Brown
People either love or hate this open-ended story of a cranky little dog. The illustrations completely capture the mood of the story.

Wings
This clever book has only 12 words that all rhyme with wings. Tomie DePaola departs from his usual style of art.

Beverly wrote: "Little Brown
People either love or hate this open-ended story of a cranky little dog. The illustrations completely capture the mood of the story.

Wings
This clever ..."

I may not be remembering correctly, but wasn't Little Brown published last year?

Stacy wrote: "Beverly wrote: "Little Brown
People either love or hate this open-ended story of a cranky little dog. The illustrations completely capture the mood of the story.

[book:Wings|395074..."

My bad. I had not seen it last year, just saw it this year, and thought it was new. But you are correct, it was published in 2018.

Because by Mo Willems is a well orchestrated story!!!

Has anyone read Nobody Hugs a Cactus by Carter Goodrich? Loved it..it is on my watch list.

Carol wrote: "Because by Mo Willems is a well orchestrated story!!!"

Great pun and great book!

Two of my recent favorites have been:
Being Edie Is Hard Today by Ben Brashares
Home Is a Window by Stephanie Parsley Ledyard

I also love Nobody Hugs a Cactus. The color palette is perfect for the desert setting, and the facial expressions for the cactus explore a wide range of emotions.

Just read The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander and Kadir Nelson. I honestly think it is a winner!

I loved that book, too.

Charlene wrote: "Just read The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander and Kadir Nelson. I honestly think it is a winner!"

Yes! The Undefeated was an incredible read with extraordinary artwork!

I couldn't agree more. For me, it is the barometer by which all other books will be judged this year. Wow!

I just read Lubna and Pebble by Wendy Meddour and Illustrated by Daniel Egneus. Beautiful book about a little girl who is a refugee.

Beverly wrote: "I very much liked The Donkey Egg by Janet Stevens.
I thought the book was very clever and humorous. The artwork gives the animals so much expression and character.

..."
Denver Public Library shows The Donkey Egg as 2018. Haven't seen it yet however.

Marcie wrote: "Denver Public Library shows The Donkey Egg as 2018. Haven't seen it yet however. .."

That is odd. The San Antonio Public Library's catalog shows it as being published in 2019.

It was published Feb. 19, 2019. It is possible Denver put it in their catalog in 2018 as "on order" and that is the date you are seeing.

Jessica wrote: "It was published Feb. 19, 2019. It is possible Denver put it in their catalog in 2018 as "on order" and that is the date you are seeing."

Or maybe a cataloger made a mistake. Thanks for checking for me.

Loved The Undefeated and How to Read A Book by Kwame Alexander and Melissa Swet. Definitely contenders!

Hum and Swish by Matt Myers is a lovely book about a little girl having fun creating various things at the beach with no particular goal in mind.

I am attaching a link to a new 32 page picture book on Etsy.com which prominently features "Site X". It has been in development for three years, just recently launched, and probably isn't known to many people yet. It will be submitted for The Caldecott medal. Best Regards.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/71109807...

Hello - letting everyone know that If Not You Then Who? The Inventor in the Pink Pajamas has a giveaway running for the hardcover version AND the Kindle edition is FREE this week only on Amazon. Check it out. If you're a fan of The Magic School Bus, chances are you'll love this book, too. Would love your feedback.


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...