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The Caldecott has always had a special place in my heart. Picture books are what grabs children's interest and introduces them to the delightful world of literature. In our quest to find the next award winning book we come across hundreds of candidates. It's nice when you get that helpful tip from someone else about the next wonderful book.

So what are you reading?

I spotted If You Plant a Seed at the bookstore today. It's a good story about sharing and kindness, and as usual, Kadir Nelson's illustrations are gorgeous!

I agree. It is truly spectacular.

It has a wonderful lesson and the illustrations are marvelous.

Edgar Wants to be Alone by Jean Francois Dumont

Janet wrote: "Edgar Wants to be Alone by Jean Francois Dumont"

I believe Jean-Francois Dumont is a resident of France. He can't be a Caldecott contender.

Red by Michael Hall
Trombone Shorty by Troy Andrews
Harlem Renaissance Party by Faith Ringgold
Tad and Dad by David Ezra Stein
Bulldozer's Big Day by Candace Fleming
Egg by Robin Page
The Inker's Shadow by Allen Say
The Night World by Mordicai Gerstein
The Grasshopper and the Ants by Jerry Pinkney
The Whisper by Pamela Zagarenski
Waiting by Kevin Henkes
Toys Make Snow by Emily Jenkins
Bird and Diz by Gary Golio
Yard Sale by Eve Bunting
Full Moon at the Napping House by Audrey Wood

Apologies for any errors.

Also, have not yet seen the new Brian Selznick (Marvels) but I'm hoping it's Caldecott-worthy. =)

Thanks for the list, Maggi! I have ordered several of them from the library and the others I found at the bookstore today.

Another title to consider is Grandma in Blue with Red Hat, by Scott Menchin. After a trip to the museum, a boy decides that his grandmother fits all the criteria of a work of art and creates paintings to honor her. It's a lovely story with beautiful illustrations.

Just read Once Upon a Cloud by Claire Keane. Enchanting!

Not sure if it is to everyone's taste, but I loved By Trolley Past Thimbledon Bridge by Ashley Bryan. Amazing illustrations, very reminiscent of one of my favorite Caldecott Honor books, Rain Makes Applesauce.

I love Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio and Last Stop on Market Street. While I love The Bear Ate Your Sandwich I'm not sure it's Caldecott worthy. Both Gaston and Last Stop have beautiful illustrations, both by Matt de la Pena, and concise, descriptive language and a wonderful story line.

Does anyone know when the ALA Youth Media Awards will be announced for 2016? I can't find any info on the date.

Laura wrote: "Does anyone know when the ALA Youth Media Awards will be announced for 2016? I can't find any info on the date."

I would think Monday, January 11 at ALA Midwinter in Boston. Here's the link for upcoming conferences.

Librarygarden wrote: "Laura wrote: "Does anyone know when the ALA Youth Media Awards will be announced for 2016? I can't find any info on the date."

I would think Monday, January 11 at ALA Midwinter in Boston. Here's t..."

Thank you! That would be it!

Greg Pizzoli's Tricky Vic has stellar illustrations to go with the captivating, unique, true story of a con man who actually sold the Eiffel Tower.

Arika wrote: "Greg Pizzoli's Tricky Vic has stellar illustrations to go with the captivating, unique, true story of a con man who actually sold the Eiffel Tower."

It is visually unique and interesting. The story is done well. I really like it.

Pamela wrote: "I love Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio and Last Stop on Market Street. While I love The Bear Ate Your Sandwich I'm not sure it's Caldecott worthy. Both Gaston and Last Stop have beautiful illustrations, ..."

Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio was published in 2014, so will not be a contender this year.

Rats! You're right. Thanks for pointing that out.

Tina wrote: "I spotted If You Plant a Seed at the bookstore today. It's a good story about sharing and kindness, and as usual, Kadir Nelson's illustratio..."

I just read it yesterday. Such a change for Nelson but a beautifully illustrated story with a message to match. It's on my watch list for the 2016 Caldecott.

I just found "My Pen" by Christopher Myers-a very clever book. Great inspiration for writers. I just finished Walter Dean Myers' memoir, "Bad Boy" so was delighted to find the book by Christopher, which is as much about the illustrations as the words. I also put this in the Caldecott watch pot for us to think about.

Pamela, my library students voted Gaston an honor book in our mock Caldecotts 2015. What a charming book!

Joanne wrote: "Pamela, my library students voted Gaston an honor book in our mock Caldecotts 2015. What a charming book!"

Cute story but it is really the illustrations that make this book stand out. Christian Robinson is an amazing new talent. I am definitely watching his work.

Kristen wrote: "The Caldecott has always had a special place in my heart. Picture books are what grabs children's interest and introduces them to the delightful world of literature. In our quest to find the next..."

Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova by Laurel Snyder is my new favorite picture book. It was just released yesterday and I bought it yesterday. It is absolutely stunning with perfect text. I hope we read this as a group. It is spectacular.

Tina wrote: "I spotted If You Plant a Seed at the bookstore today. It's a good story about sharing and kindness, and as usual, Kadir Nelson's illustratio..."

Nice to have Kadir write and illustrate. His work is always spectacular.

Patty wrote: "I just found "My Pen" by Christopher Myers-a very clever book. Great inspiration for writers. I just finished Walter Dean Myers' memoir, "Bad Boy" so was delighted to find the book by Christopher, ..."

"My Pen" should be a contender, but my new very favorite is "Pool", a remarkable wordless picture book.

Ed wrote: "Not sure if it is to everyone's taste, but I loved By Trolley Past Thimbledon Bridge by Ashley Bryan. Amazing illustrations, very reminiscent of one of my favorite ..."

"Rain Makes Applesauce" is also with Marvin Bileck, same as "Trolley Past Thimbledon...". Loved Rain Makes Applesauce and find the new book just as enchanting.

Patty wrote: "Patty wrote: "I just found "My Pen" by Christopher Myers-a very clever book. Great inspiration for writers. I just finished Walter Dean Myers' memoir, "Bad Boy" so was delighted to find the book by..."

I just looked up Pool and unfortunately the author is not American, so not eligible for the Caldecott. I've put Pool on my hold list. Thanks for the tip.

This week, I read two digital arcs that I believe will be strong Caldecott contenders -- The Only Child, to be published in December, and Sewing Stories: Harriet Powers' Journey from Slave to Artist, which will be published in October.

Tina wrote: "This week, I read two digital arcs that I believe will be strong Caldecott contenders -- The Only Child, to be published in December, and [book:Sewing Stories: Harriet Powers' Journ..."

The Only Child is just stunning. The author lives in China so is ineligible for the Caldecott. I am looking forward to Sewing Stories. I haven't snagged a copy yet.

Laura wrote: "Kristen wrote: "The Caldecott has always had a special place in my heart. Picture books are what grabs children's interest and introduces them to the delightful world of literature. In our quest ..."

Yikes! I think the illustrator of Swan is Canadian. So much for the Caldecott :(

Librarygarden wrote: "Patty wrote: "Patty wrote: "I just found "My Pen" by Christopher Myers-a very clever book. Great inspiration for writers. I just finished Walter Dean Myers' memoir, "Bad Boy" so was delighted to fi..."
Doggone it! It was my first choice of all I have read so far...now I must remove it from my hopeful list...you all have read "Float", right? Another good wordless book.

I just read and loved Welcome Home, Bear: A Book of Animal Habitats. Beautiful illustrations add depth and humor to the simple story about habitats.

Patty wrote: "Librarygarden wrote: "Patty wrote: "Patty wrote: "I just found "My Pen" by Christopher Myers-a very clever book. Great inspiration for writers. I just finished Walter Dean Myers' memoir, "Bad Boy" ..."

Yes POOL was also my no. 1. I do love FLOAT. It's on my list of winners, but probably not the top 2 or 3.

Marvelous Cornelius: Hurricane Katrina and the Spirit of New Orleans
I just read this and fell in love with it! There are so many beautiful details in the illustrations.

I LOVE "The Whisper". Magical story and illustrations are incredible. My college students found so much symbolism in the pictures. Winner or honor?
Another outstanding book is "Welcome Home, Bear". The storyline is typical but the illustrations add such emotion! I love the claw marks as he slides off the branch and the excellent illustration as he suffers on the hot desert sand.

Is Guijing a US citizen?

Caren wrote: "Is Guijing a US citizen?"

I believe she lives in China. The Only Child is a very special, rare book.

It is beautiful.

My top favorites: Boats for Papa, If You Plant a Seed, Toys Meet Snow, The Night World, and Finding Winnie. Amazing year in children's literature...

With the fifteen members of the Caldecott Committee changing each year, it is not easy to predict what their tastes might deem “The most distinguished contribution�� to the world of picture books this year. One pleasing trend is the number of informational and poetry picture books published in the past several years. Rather than chance a guess on the winner, I have chosen to focus on some outstanding non-fiction books published this year. And who knows, maybe one of them will win!

The Impossibly True Story of Tricky Vic, the Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower, written and illustrated by Greg Pizzoli. What a title, and what an incredible story. In lesser hands, the story of one of the most notorious criminals of all time might slip into admiration for such an extraordinary life. But Greg Pizzoli has craftily portrayed the master criminal as only a thumbprint in his color-controlled, collage illustrations. Complete with primary source documents and photographs, this book exposes the crimes of a man who really did sell the Eiffel Tower. Twice!

Flutter & Hum: Animal Poems, written and illustrated by Julie Paschkis. In her author’s note, Julie Paschkis admits, “I am not a poet. I am not a native Spanish speaker. But somehow I found myself writing poems in Spanish and English.�� Writing poetry first in Spanish and then translating to English, Paschkis has honed her words down to the bare essence; complete, deft, and sumptuously illustrated. Each poem, presented in both languages, is colorfully illustrated with words from the poems crafted into leaves, flowers, or sky. The result is an incomparable adventure in the worlds of animals and words.

Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France, written by Mara Rockliff, illustrated by Iacopo Bruno. Another long title, this time illuminating how Ben Franklin used the scientific method to debunk the claims of one Doctor Mesmer, who claimed he had discovered a new force that could heal, but could not be seen or touched. The illustrations, from the endpapers to full-page spreads on the “placebo effect�� are, in a word, mesmerizing!

Nathan wrote: "With the fifteen members of the Caldecott Committee changing each year, it is not easy to predict what their tastes might deem “The most distinguished contribution�� to the world of picture books th..."

Those are fantastic titles. Flutter and Hum is a favorite of mine. I will literally do cartwheels if it wins an award.

I too love Flutter and Hum and would love to see a nod (perhaps honor) to a bilingual.

Marcie wrote: "I too love Flutter and Hum and would love to see a nod (perhaps honor) to a bilingual."

Viva Frida by Yuyi Morales won a Caldecott Honor for her bilingual picture book last year. So it is definitely a doable hopeful possibility.