Happy Monday, Everyone!
Let’s talk about possible Caldecott and Newbery winners. I use The Horn Book site Hbook.com and their Calling Caldecott blog, but I’m not too thrilled with the predictions for Caldecott. What are your thoughts? And what other reliable sources can I go to for a good list of contenders for both?
The Caldecott list seems kind of heavy on biographies this year…yes? The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus, Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker ,Viva Frida, andThe Iridescence of Birds: A Book about Henri Matisse, and Draw!, and Grandfather Gandhi.
I am excited about Sam and Dave Dig a Hole and Three Bears in a Boat, but not Bad Bye, Good Bye (which I think is better suited for the Geisel (which is very well might get). I adore Sparky and Julia’s House for Lost Creatures, but not Once Upon an Alphabet (I think is too long for children’s interests). Any one read Dory Fantasmagory or Remy and Lulu? I haven’t yet.
On the Newbery side, The Night Gardener has a great chance in my book. As does West of the Moon. Great storytelling there. Brown Girl Dreaming is well-written and beautiful, but most of my students aren’t thrilled with this one, some finding it hard to finish. Another biography? But hey, students don’t choose the Newbery or Caldecott. That’s what the Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award is for (and any other state book awards where kids choose the winner based on favorites only). Absolutely Almostwas nice and realistic. What else? Can’t wait to hear your thoughts, and hopefully I get some other titles to read that I may have missed.
Amanda Stout Elementary Librarian
Reading School District
(yes, the city with the Charlie Brown Christmas tree)
EasternPennPoints 
About the Caldecott: I admittedly have not seen/read all of them yet, but do have one gut, instant reaction: I thought that THE IRIDESCENCE OF BIRDS was truly, truly, brilliant. On so many levels. From the moments that MacLachlan pulled from Matisse’s life, to the two long and simple sentences, to the pallette, to the way that Hooper borrowed lines and imagery from Matisse’s work without being overly imitative or derivative. It is has a real simplicity and, at the same time, richness that seems spot on. I was blown away by it (if you couldn’t tell…. :).
(I’d add one caveat though: I haven’t read it to any kids yet!)
I think my to-read list is getting out of control….can’t wait to check out some of these titles! Thanks for sharing 🙂