Mock Caldecott 2026 discussion

Jump at the Sun: The True Life Tale of Unstoppable Storycatcher Zora Neale Hurston by Alicia D. Williams



Ducks on the Road: A Counting Adventure by Anita Lobel



There is a Rainbow by Theresa Trinder

What did you think of these titles?

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners doesn't qualify for the Caldecott. Its illustrator Dung Ho, is a citizen of Vietnam.

Jump at the Sun is my favorite picture book so far this year. It is marvelous is every way. I believe it has a great chance at winning a Caldecott.

Ducks on the Road is lovely as is There is a Rainbow. I don't think they are award stand outs.

Laura wrote: "Eyes That Kiss in the Corners doesn't qualify for the Caldecott. Its illustrator Dung Ho, is a citizen of Vietnam."
If I had a nickel for every time I've said this about this book . . . lol . . . and it's only March.

Stacy wrote: "Laura wrote: "Eyes That Kiss in the Corners doesn't qualify for the Caldecott. Its illustrator Dung Ho, is a citizen of Vietnam."
If I had a nickel for every time I've said this about this book . ...."

It is important to research the bio of the illustrator. So many American picture books are illustrated by international artists. It can be so sad to discover a favorite book doesn't qualify for the award.

Laura wrote: "It is important to research the bio of the illustrator. So many American picture books are illustrated by international artists. It can be so sad to discover a favorite book doesn't qualify for the award."
You are right about that! The Midnight Fair, illustrated by Mariachiara Di Giorgio, is another where the illustrator lives outside of the US, yet it keeps coming up on Caldecott lists.

Stacy wrote: "Laura wrote: "It is important to research the bio of the illustrator. So many American picture books are illustrated by international artists. It can be so sad to discover a favorite book doesn't q..."

The Midnight Fair is a Candlewick title. Candlewick imports a lot of titles from England, Australia, Scotland etc. The Midnight Fair was originally released in Italy last year.

Yes, it happens.

I have removed
Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho and illustrated by Dung Ho.

Thank you for catching that.

Ducks on the Road - Colored pencils and felt tip pen give a directional flow throughout the story. Duck count, scenery and trees change from page to page. Such a peaceful, happily illustrated storybook giving a message of acceptance and sharing!

Jump at the Sun - the odds were against Zora Neale Hurston in this time in history. Her mama always told her to Jump at the Sun! Though others doubted her future plans, she forever lived by mom's motto. What an inspirational hero for children of any color, faith, or walk in life. The text and illustrations work together to inspire readers to want to dig deeper into the past, as Zora did. It is a wonderful steppingstone to searching for old legends, fables, and stories originating in the Deep South, Caribbean, and Jamaica. Caldecott potential - yes!

There is a Rainbow - The author gives praise to helpers and heroes, parents and grandparents, schools, and friendship throughout the story. Rainbows and rainbow colors, likewise, flow from page to page. The artist used colored pencils, yet the pictures look 3D-ish. At first, the images left me a little dizzy. But, then the images grew on me! There is such detail in the illustrations! This is a unique story that needs to be preserved! Could get Caldecott attention!

Anita Lobel's speciality is alphabet books and counting books. This one is a variation on classic duck counting song. My Mock Caldecott Club thinks that it can be a contender for 2021. I'm not convinced.

Delightful picture book biography of Zora Neale Hurston! It is a wonderful book to add to a Harlem Renaissance text set along with picture book biographies Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Jacob Lawrence, and Langston Hughes.

Ducks on the Road
This is the perfect type of book that I would have used in a story time when I was working as a Children's Services Librarian, for a counting theme, or a duck theme. The illustrations are clear, straightforward, and are perfectly paired with the text; and they make counting the ducks with little ones easy. The child can also identify the several animals that the ducklings meet on their walk. There are plenty of other details in the illustrations for little ones to pore over. A practically perfect book for preschool children. I would love for this book to receive some Caldecott love.

Laura wrote: "Eyes That Kiss in the Corners doesn't qualify for the Caldecott. Its illustrator Dung Ho, is a citizen of Vietnam."

Too bad about that, because the illustrations are beautiful.

Beverly wrote: "Laura wrote: "Eyes That Kiss in the Corners doesn't qualify for the Caldecott. Its illustrator Dung Ho, is a citizen of Vietnam."

Too bad about that, because the illustrations are beautiful."

Yes, they are beautiful! I love the bold, bright colors.

All three of these books stand out.

Lobel's gouache and colored pencil illustrations for Ducks on the Road: A Counting Adventure are detailed and delicate. Even though a duckling on each turns back, the young reader will likely sense a safety to this relatable independent wandering, amplified by the thick paper. I think this one will remain on a contender list but I will be surprised if it were to win because the effect is more classic and familiar than distinguished.

The colored pencil illustrations in There is a Rainbow are vibrant, captivating and hopeful just as a real rainbow does. Theresa Trinder honors the emotional confusion of separation and yearning for connection that today's young readers are still experiencing (as are their grownups). It's important that children's books reflect the reality of connection through a computer so that readers can feel like their reality is a shared experience. The sketch-like strokes are reminiscent of a child's drawing. The page of the rain using both straight lines and circular outlines to portray puddles stands out for me. For now at least, I think should remain a Caldecott contender.

Jump at the Sun: The True Life Tale of Unstoppable Storycatcher Zora Neale Hurston is already one of my favorite picture books of the year and I feel it just must win something. I was immersed in the story and the illustrations. A radiant biography of a legend who memorialized Black folktales from the South. Gorgeous, eye-catching, dynamic, illustrations on thick paper parallel the subject’s inspiring, energetic life.

This was a great month of a variety of books.

Ducks on the Road - classic Anita Loebel. I love it but not feeling it for the Caldecott this year.

There is a Rainbow - loved the bright colors and and actions on the page. The message is that of optimism in such a crazy year. It could be a contender.

Jump at the Sun - haven't got ahold of this one yet. A waitlist at the library! A good sign.

My reading of this book came at exactly the right time. It is a self-affirming, confidence-boosting love letter to Asian children. This book needs to be promoted to the number one spot on every teacher's read aloud schedule. I will be reading it aloud to my children's literature class. I'm keeping my eye on this one.

Shari wrote: "My reading of this book came at exactly the right time. It is a self-affirming, confidence-boosting love letter to Asian children. This book needs to be promoted to the number one spot on every tea..."

Which book, Shari? I have not been able to get a hold of them yet.

Sorry! EYES THAT KISS IN THE CORNERS.

Jump at the Sun
In addition to what others wrote above, I loved all the details that the illustrator incorporated into the story, especially all the little critters that are characters in the folktales.

There is a Rainbow
I, on the other hand, was not quite as impressed with the illustrations as some of those who commented above. They certainly are colorful, and are a little bit retro; they reminded me vaguely of Ludwig Bemelmans' style in Madeline. I liked Ducks on the Road and Jump at the Sun much better.

I had to wait quite some time before I could get my hands on Jump at the Sun, but it was worth the wait. Absolutely stunning - toe-tappin' text and imaginative, colorful illustrations. It was a joy to behold, and the subject, an often-unappreciated literary giant, so deserves this engaging memorial. I did find a YouTube video of the author reading the beginning of the book which was so entertaining that I could still hear her voice as I read the book to myself. I can see this possibly getting recognition from both Caldecott and Newbery committees.

As for the other two, Ducks is adorable and Rainbow is very touching, but I don't personally see either as a Caldecott contender.