The 2010 "Aw, Shucks!" List

As you may know, books must meet certain criteria to be eligible for the Caldecott Award. Included are...

• Books must be originally published in the United States.
  


• Illustrators must be residents of the United States.

Because of these criteria, many excellent picture books published in 2009 did not receive recognition on this blog; however, we would like to highlight some of them now in our "Aw, Shucks!" List. These are all books that MIGHT have been contenders in the 2010 Mock Caldecott had they met all of the criteria, and are worth a closer look.

Thunder-Boomer!
written by Shutta Crum
illustrated by Carol Thompson









You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?
written by Jonah Winter
illustrated by André Carrilho








The Snow Day
written and illustrated by Komako Sakai










Little Chick
written by Amy Hest
illustrated by Amy Jeram









Bubble Trouble
written by Margaret Mahy
illustrated by Polly Dunbar









Pippo the Fool
written by Tracey E. Fern
illustrated by Pau Estrada









Moon Rabbit
written and illustrated by Natalie Russell










As I mentioned above, the books listed here are just a few of the great picture books published in other countries or by illustrators from countries outside the U.S. I know there are others out there...do YOU have any other titles to add?

The REAL 2010 Caldecott Award Winners

The winner of the 2010 Randolph Caldecott Medal for most distinguished American picture book for children is
The Lion and the Mouse,
by Jerry Pinkney.








In addition, 2 Caldecott Honor Books were named. They are:
All the World
by Liz Garton Scanlon
illustrated by Marla Frazee
and
Red Sings from the Treetops
by Joyce Sidman
illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski

Click here for more information on the 2010 Youth Media Awards presented by the American Library Association.

2010 Mock Caldecott Winners

This morning, a group of ten picture book enthusiasts, librarians and teachers, gathered at the Main Library to discuss our favorite picture books of 2009. After learning about artistic elements and their effects on picture book illustrations, we discussed and debated the merits of 48 picture books.







After a great discussion -- and tough decisions because of the strength of the nominees this year -- we cast two votes to come to arrive at our winners.

The 2010 ACPL Mock Caldecott Award goes to:
The Lion and the Mouse, by Jerry Pinkney

One honor book was selected:
All the World, by Liz Scanlon, illustrated by Marla Frazee.










Because of the strength of the field of books this year, we felt it worthy to mention additional titles that made it to our final vote:






They are:
Chicken Little
A Book
The Negro Speaks of Rivers
Duck! Rabbit!
Higher! Higher!
Robot Zot!
A Curious Garden
Dinothesaurus
All in a Day

It's Poll Time!

Which titles do you think will receive the most discussion at our Mock Caldecott Program on January 16th? Go ahead and mark the titles on the poll above that YOU think will receive the most discussion; we'll see what really happens on January 16th. It should be interesting!

And, if you'd like to BE HERE to take part in the discussion IN PERSON, be sure to register!

Which One is YOUR Favorite?

Just look at the fabulous picture books in our Reading List this year!

If you're in the Fort Wayne area and would like to look at the nominated titles in person, stop by Children's Services at the Main Library; we have copies set aside for you to look at while you're in the Library.

2010 Mock Caldecott: List #4

Here are the final titles to be added to our 2010 Mock Caldecott Reading List. Find the first three lists here; for a printable copy of the entire list, click here.

• Dinotrux, by Chris Gall
• John Brown: His Fight for Freedom, by John Hendrix
• Applesauce Season, by Eden Ross Lipson, illustrated by Mordecai Gerstein
• Jeremy Draws a Monster, by Peter McCarty
• All the World, by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Marla Frazee
  
• Alfred Nobel: The Man Behind the Nobel Peace Prize, by Kathy-Jo Wargin, illustrated by Zachary Pullen

As always, we love to hear comments from you about what you think about our selections. Please leave your comments here, or under the individual blog posts.

If you'd like to participate in our in-person discussion, please register soon. The program will be held on Saturday, January 16th, at the Allen County Public Library from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Indiana librarians who attend will earn 1 LEU. With so many wonderful picture books published this year, it promises to be a lively discussion as we debate our favorites!

We Troubled the Waters by Ntozake Shange

Illustrated by Rod Brown.

Abstract: Gives voice to all those who fought for their unalienable rights in a triumphant book about the power of the human spirit.

HarperCollins, 2009.

Sojourner Truth's Step-Stomp Stride by Andrea Davis Pinkney

Illustrated by Brian Pinkney.

Abstract: Tells the story of one of the most unique and courageous women in American history.

Disney Press, 2009.

Looking Like Me by Walter Dean Myers

Illustrated by Christopher Myers.

Summary: Jeremy sets out to discover all of the different "people" that make him who he is, including brother, son, writer, and runner.

Egmont USA, 2009.

Sweethearts of Rhythm: The Story of the Greatest All-Girl Swing Band in the World by Marilyn Nelson

Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney.

Abstract: In the 1940s, as the world was at war, a remarkable jazz band performed on the American home front. This all-female band, originating from a boarding school in the heart of Mississippi, found its way to the most famous ballrooms in the country, offering solace during the hard years of the war.

Dial Books, 2009.

Sophie Peterman Tells the Truth! by Sarah Weeks

Illustrated by Robert Neubecker.

Abstract: Sophie Peterman is an expert on younger siblings, and she offers a step-by-step guide to dealing with younger brothers and sisters.

Beach Lane Books, 2009.

John Brown: His Fight for Freedom by John Hendrix

Illustrated by John Hendrix.

Summary: In the late 1850s, at a time when many men and women spoke out against slavery, few had the same impact as John Brown, the infamous white abolitionist who backed his beliefs with unstoppable action.

Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2009.

Alfred Nobel: The Man Behind the Peace Prize by Kathy-Jo Wargin

Illustrated by Zachary Pullen.

Abstract: Alfred Nobel was the man who founded what became known as The Nobel Prizes. Nobel also invented dynamite, becoming very wealthy from his invention. Saddened by its use for harmful destruction, Nobel left his fortune to create yearly prizes for those who have rendered the greatest services to mankind.

Sleeping Bear Press, 2009.

The Sleepy Little Alphabet by Judy Sierra

Illustrated by Melissa Sweet.

Abstract: Sleepy letters of the alphabet get ready for bed.

Alfred A. Knopf, 2009.

Steady Hands: Poems about Work by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer

Illustrated by Megan Halsey & Sean Addy.

Abstract: "Short, direct free-verse poems and complex multimedia illustrations combine to profile a wide variety of jobs..."--front flap.

Clarion Books, 2009.