September 8, 2015

Mock Caldecott Panel

Today was our annual Mock Caldecott panel session with Dr. Mary Rycik's EDEC 323 Tradebooks and Technology with Literature class. Students met in the IRC to review and evaluate picture books, voting on a winner and honor book; titles selected meet Caldecott Medal criteria established by the Association for Library Services for Children, American Library Association Medal committee.

Prior to the session (in class):Students were introduced to elements picture book art and illustration such as layout, design, form and function, balance, use of space, and the importance of art telling the story. Artistic media and style, as well as the parts of a picture book are discussed.

About the titles:Twenty-three picture books were considered; the selection included a mix of artists publishing their first picture book and well known and award-winning illustrators. A variety of artistic mediums were represented such as collage, gauche, painted oils, pencil, watercolors, and mixed media. Most of the titles are new to the library juvenile collection.

All of the titles are available on the Mock Caldecott Panel IRC Pinterest board:



Students reviewed nominated titles, and completed two rounds of voting to select a final winner and two honor books.  The Mock Caldecott winner for Fall 2015 is :
  • The Night World
    written and illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein
    PZ7.G325 Nig 2015

Honor book distinction was given to:
  • My Pen
    written and illustrated by Christopher Myers
    PZ7.M9825 My 2015
  • If You Plant a Seed
    written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson
    PZ7.N434457 If 2015

For additional information about the panel and books, visit the IRC web site Mock Caldecott Panels page or the EDEC 323 LibGuide.  All of the books considered for this session are available on the second floor new book shelves directly outside of the Instructional Resource Center.