Mock Caldecott 2026 discussion

With so many publications each year it can be hard to find distinguished publications. What books have you read that are solid Caldecott contenders? List them here and they will be added to our monthly reading.

These are my favorite picture books so far this year:

Blue: A History of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky by Nanu Ekua Brew-Hammond

Where Butterflies fill the Sky: A Story of Immigration, Family and Finding Home by Zahra Marwan

Ablaze with Color by Jeanne Walker Harvey

Kat Hats by Daniel Pinkwater

Somewhere in the Bayou by the Pumphrey Brothers

Nigel and the Moon by Antwan Eady

I agree that Nigel and the Moon by Eady and Zhang is lovely.

I can't find a listing for May or July reads.

Some of my favorites that we haven't discussed so far are:

The World Belonged to Us / Woodson & Espinosa
Because Claudette / Baptiste & Engel
Ablaze with Color / Harvey & Wise
Endlessly Ever After / Snyder & Santat
Luli and the Language of Tea / Wang & Yum
Where Butterflies Fill the Sky / Marwan

Has anybody else encountered some Caldecott-worthy titles?

Farmhouse by Sophie Blackall is my new top pick for a Caldecott. It doesn’t come out until September but it’s glorious. There is a fascinating backstory and Sophie uses actual items from the farmhouse in the creation of this book.

Nigel and the Moon- It gave me Snowy Day vibes! I loved it!

Niki (Daydream Reader) wrote: "Nigel and the Moon- It gave me Snowy Day vibes! I loved it!"

So true! I love this book so much!

I don't know if it is Caldecott worthy or not but I thought I Want to be a Vase was very creative.

Niki (Daydream Reader) wrote: "I don't know if it is Caldecott worthy or not but I thought I Want to be a Vase was very creative."

It is a great and creative book. I would be surprised if it won but I hope it is considered. The committee often passes on such unique titles. I thought the Elvis book by Red Nose Studio had a great chance at winning a medal a few years ago. I saw one of the models in person. It was amazing. The whole book was Caldecott worthy. Maybe just too "out there" for that year's panel of judges.

I love Red Nose Studio books too! So creative! But I know what you are saying about some books being too "out there" for the panel.

Hope is an Arrow: The Story of Lebanese American poet Khalil Gibran is marvelous. Written by Cory McCarthy with exquisite illustrations by Ekua Holmes.

Not Enough Lollipops by Megan Maynor

I just finished Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion by Shannon Stocker and illustrated by Devon Holzwarth and I am smitten!

Debra wrote: "I just finished Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion by Shannon Stocker and illustrated by Devon Holzwarth and I am smitten!"

It is terrific! I love it, too!

Debra wrote: "I just finished Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion by Shannon Stocker and illustrated by Devon Holzwarth and I am smitten!"

This book sounds lovely, but do you know if the illustrator has American citizenship? She was born in Panama and currently lives in Germany. Either way, I'm still looking forward to reading it.

Beth wrote: "Debra wrote: "I just finished Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion by Shannon Stocker and illustrated by Devon Holzwarth and I am smitten!"

This book sounds lovely, but do y..." Hi, Beth! Devon Holzwarth was born in Washington D.C. Good to go for a Caldecott! She also illustrated Everywhere With You this year. It is one of my favorite 2022 picture books. Holzwarth is a really unique, wonderful illustrator!

Laura wrote: "Beth wrote: "Debra wrote: "I just finished Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion by Shannon Stocker and illustrated by Devon Holzwarth and I am smitten!"

This book sounds lov..."

Thanks, Laura! I'm now on hold for Listen at my library.

Beth wrote: "Laura wrote: "Beth wrote: "Debra wrote: "I just finished Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion by Shannon Stocker and illustrated by Devon Holzwarth and I am smitten!"

This b..."
Great! It is a wonderful book!

I am in love with Aimee Sicuro's If You Find a Leaf. It is reminiscent of some of Lois Ehlert's best work. Yet Sicuro makes it all her own. It is deceptively simple and incredibly stunning.

Endlessly Ever After by Laurel Snyder and illustrated by Dan Santat is a strong contender as is Berry Song by Michaela Goade.

There are some magnificent picture books coming out this fall by former award winning and seasoned illustrators. Looking forward to them!

Nigel and the Moon has been getting a lot of buzz, and I love Gracey Zhang, but I don't see it being a winner or honoree. The story is excellent, though, not particularly groundbreaking. The illustrations don't carry the story enough for me.

So far, for me, having read a majority of the titles mentioned, it's going to be Blue running away with it unless something new is published. It's diverse, interesting, slightly political though not overly so, and kids would actually like to read it.

Josh wrote: "Nigel and the Moon has been getting a lot of buzz, and I love Gracey Zhang, but I don't see it being a winner or honoree. The story is excellent, though, not particularly groundbreaking. The illust..."

Check out Farmhouse by Sophie Blackall. It's extraordinary. I also love Mister Rogers Gift of Music by Donna Cangelosi. There are several wonderful picture book offerings coming out this fall. Show Horses: A First Night Story by Patricia MacLachlan and The Real Dada Mother Goose: A Treasury of Complete Nonsense by Jon Scieszka to name a couple.

Agreed, I was excited for Farmhouse but it exceeded my expectations. I'll be really surprised if it doesn't get at least an Honor.

Cara wrote: "Agreed, I was excited for Farmhouse but it exceeded my expectations. I'll be really surprised if it doesn't get at least an Honor."

I have never been so sure of a book winning a Caldecott in my entire life. The creation of this title and the history of the farmhouse/property/family is fascinating. Sophie Blackall's finest work in my opinion. She was really sick during a good portion of the making of Farmhouse with shingles. This woman is one heck of a trouper.

Yellow Dog Blues by Alice Faye Duncan, Illustrated by Chris Raschka -- I'm not even usually a big Raschka fan, but this is sfantastic.

I just discovered a wordless book by Henry Cole called Forever Home: A Dog and Boy Love Story. It is SO sweet and beautifully illustrated. As a dog lover, I admit that it easily pulled on my heartstrings, but I love how the book also stresses that a child must first show they can be responsible enough to have a pet.

Has anyone suggested HOW TO EAT A BOOK by Mrs. and Mr. MacLeod yet? My kids loved that book and the ink on paper illustrations are so different and fun!

I am in love with Somewhere in the Bayou by the Pumphrey Brothers. Whimsical and fun with a twist. Love it!

Some books we haven't discussed that I really enjoyed:
* Standing in the Need of Prayer / Weatherford & Morrison
* The World Belonged to Us / Woodson & Espinosa
* Emile and the Field / Young & Ebinama
* To Change a Planet / Soontornvat & Bell

Beth wrote: "Some books we haven't discussed that I really enjoyed:
* Standing in the Need of Prayer / Weatherford & Morrison
* The World Belonged to Us / Woodson & Espinosa
* Emile and the Field / Young & Ebin..."

I love every one of these titles! There is so much action in The World Belonged to Us. I see it winning multiple awards including a Caldecott. Emile and the Field is magnificent. I saw an original piece of artwork from this book at the Society of Illustrators Museum/Gallery in NYC recently. It was a stand out among so many incredible picture book works of art.

A little late, I know!!!! But, I just read a great children's book. Be sure and take a look at it! It won the honor award for picture book in the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature category. By Liza Ferneyhough, written and illustrated in 2022: Nana, Nenek & Nina, debut picture book as an author/illustrator.

Waiting for me today at the library was Nana, Nenek & Nina and this is a beautifully illustrated and well written debut for Lisa Ferneyhough. A unique way to positively portray the differences in cultures as well as the sameness. Made me think this title is a well illustrated Venn diagram. My two requirements for picture books were accomplished in this title: child centered theme and illustrations that keep one returning for another look because maybe I missed something. Wish this title had a 2023 copyright.
Oh well, on request at the library for me is A Flag for Juneteenth by debut author-illustrator Kim Taylor with a 2023 copyright. There is a good question/answer interview with Kim in a publication called Bookpage(February issue) free at many public libraries.
I am ready to read for the 2024 Caldecott!

Janet wrote: "Waiting for me today at the library was Nana, Nenek & Nina and this is a beautifully illustrated and well written debut for Lisa Ferneyhough. A unique way to positively portray the differences in c..." Janet, I really like what you have to say about Nana, Nenek, & Nina regarding the differences yet being the sameness! Being a former algebra teacher, I love, love, love your mention of it being like a Ven Diagram. Wouldn't a page or two of this book be a great way to teach this concept to all ages!!!