Picture This is a hands-on program for children entering grades 3 through 5 in which children look closely at the artistic process used to create a book and then create art in that style. This year’s program features Caldecott award or honor titles in recognition of the 75th anniversary of the Caldecott Medal. The first week features Jerry Pinkney, who won five Caldecott honors before being awarded the medal in 2010 for The Lion and the Mouse. Pinkney’s watercolor style is distinctive and recognizable.
The Lion and the Mouse, 2010 Caldecott Medal
In this video clip, Pinkney describes how he makes his illustrations.
Look for Jerry Pinkey’s books the next time you visit the library!
Noah's Ark, 2003 Caldecott Honor
John Henry, 1995 Caldecott Honor
The Talking Eggs: A Folktale from the American South, Caldecott Honor 1990
More by I.C. Springman, illustrated by Brian Lies, was chosen as the Caldecott Award winner in the mock Caldecott discussion held Saturday, January 26, at the Westerville Public Library.
Two honor books were chosen:
And then it’s spring by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Erin E. Stead
(which was also the winner in our online voting!)
and
Sleep Like a Tiger by Mary Logue, illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski
Children also voted in person at the library, with slightly different results.
Island: A Story of the Galapagos by Jason Chin tied with
Green by Laura Vaccaro Seeger.
Next down the list was More, which brings us full circle!
I can hardly wait until the actual awards are announced on Monday morning from the ALA Midwinter Conference in Seattle, beginning at 11 a.m. Eastern time.
We present to you the final discussion list for the Mock Caldecott Discussion (on Saturday, January 26 at the Westerville Public Library). Now, we don’t know what the actual committee will be talking about in Seattle this weekend, where the American Library Association (ALA) Conference is being held (it’s a secret!!)
How do we come up with a list? Well, we look at new picture books arriving all year. We read reviews and peruse those best of the year lists from places like School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, The Horn Book, Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and The New York Times (and others!) We look at what other libraries are putting on their mock Caldecott lists. This year we created a Pinterest board of possible contenders before narrowing down to a group of 10 titles. And we’ve talked and recommended these books to each other and read them to children in storytimes.
If you can’t come to the discussion, you can still vote on your choice in the Youth Services section of the library or in the online poll below from now until 2:00 on January 26. At the end of the day, we’ll announce our results. The books will be in the Youth Services area so that you can take a look at the contenders yourself. And on Monday, January 28, the Caldecott Award will be announced, part of ALA’s Youth Media Awards, streaming live from Seattle!
Here are the books we’ll be discussing (in no particular order!):
Nighttime Ninja by Barbara DaCosta, Art by Ed Young (Little, Brown)
Minette’s Feast: The Delicious Story of Julia Child and Her Cat by Susanna Reich, Illustrated by Amy Bates (Abrams)
Island: A Story of the Galapagos written & illustrated by Jason Chin (Neal Porter/Roaring Brook)
Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen (Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins)
Sleep Like a Tiger, written by Mary Logue, illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski (Houghton Mifflin)
Step Gently Out, poem by Helen Frost, photographs by Rick Lieder (Candlewick)
Green written & illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger (Neal Porter/Roaring Brook)
More by I.C. Springman, illustraed by Brian Lies (Houghton Mifflin)
One Cool Friend by Toni Buzzeo, pictures by David Small (Dial Books for Young Readers/Penguin)
And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Erin Stead (Neal Porter/Roaring Brook)
We’re almost ready to announce our reading list for the upcoming Mock Caldecott discussion, to be held on Saturday, January 26, from 2-4 p.m. In the meantime, here are a few more staff favorites.
Jerry Pinkney’s wordless book, The Lion and the Mouse, is one of Miss Lisa’s favorites.
“It is a timeless story with beautiful illustrations and no words are necessary to enjoy this wonderful picture book. Also, I have used it for storytime and it prompted a wonderful discussion! ” – Miss Lisa
Miss Becky expresses her appreciation for Chris Van Allsburg’s Polar Express and Jumanji.
“My elementary school librarian read those to us and made their surreal nature come alive. I had never seen books before that were illustrated in such a dramatic, cinematic, full-page way. Then, the more I found out about art and art supplies, the more I realized I had never seen anyone use a pencil that way, either! Magic!” – Miss Becky
What books were magical to you? They may not have won the Caldecott, but what picture books do you remember from childhood? Let us know in the comments!
‘Tis the time for best of the year lists, for looking back on 2012 and making predictions on what book might win the coveted Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children. On Saturday, January 26 there will be a Mock Caldecott Discussion featuring some of these books — on the very same weekend that the actual committee will be debating and choosing the winner. We’ll discuss the contenders using the actual Caldecott criteria and process.
What books are we thinking of? Check out the library’s Pinterest Board, Caldecott Contenders 2013. Staff favorites include:
One Cool Friend, with illustrations by David Small
More, with illustrations by Brian Lies
A Home for Bird, with illustrations by Philip C. Stead
Extra Yarn, Illustrated by Jon Klassen
and we are continuing to add more favorites of the year — so tell us yours!
The Caldecott Award is one of the most prestigious awards in American children’s literature, given to the “most distinguished” American picture book for children published the preceding year. A complete list of award winners can be found on the ALSC website. Here are some of the Westerville youth librarians favorites winners of the past.
“I love other Robert McCloskey books and Weston Wood’s version (which I saw on Captain Kangaroo) has a special place in my heart. ” – Miss Susan
“I love the action going on behind the action—her cottage through the seasons she is gone and the man who comes to visit. Also who wouldn’t love those wicked oni!?” – Miss Mickie
“The dark and light, the quiet text the thrill of being out late with dad…this is a perfect example of synergy between text and visuals. It reminds me of being little with my dad.” – Miss Mickie
” . . . it captures that feeling I remember from childhood.” – Miss Susan
“These illustrations are just so beautiful — they look like what a fairy tale is supposed to look like!” – Miss Robin
“This story still seem so modern and fresh every time I read it. Groundbreaking visuals and a perfect ending.” – Miss Robin
You can read more about why picture books are so important on the website for the celebration, picturebookmonth.com, but even better, why not read a picture book?
Illustrator Chris Raschka leads off the celebration, writing that “life is nearly unimaginable without pictures.” His wordless book, A Ball for Daisy, won the 2012 Caldecott Award for the most distinguished American picture book for children.
He is the illustrator of many other distinctive and expressively illustrated books, including:
The first week features Jerry Pinkney, who won five Caldecott honors before being awarded the medal in 2010 for The Lion and the Mouse. Pinkney’s watercolor style is distinctive and recognizable.
