Comments on: A Little Clarification and a Plea http://www.hbook.com/2013/01/blogs/calling-caldecott/a-little-clarification-and-a-plea/ Publications about books for children and young adults Tue, 14 May 2013 17:58:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Shoshana http://www.hbook.com/2013/01/blogs/calling-caldecott/a-little-clarification-and-a-plea/#comment-30037 Shoshana Wed, 23 Jan 2013 21:48:13 +0000 http://www.hbook.com/?p=22038#comment-30037 One advantage of a shortlist (I've heard others say this as well) is that it would give bookstores and libraries a chance to make sure the books are on hand before the announcement. As it is, unless the winners of all the major awards happen to be books our store has in large quantities, we'll be scrambling along with other stores to order copies that may or may not be printed yet, and it's possible the books will lose readers who look to check them out in the initial excitement. And hey, a shortlist would give a leg-up to several presumably good books besides the winners. One advantage of a shortlist (I’ve heard others say this as well) is that it would give bookstores and libraries a chance to make sure the books are on hand before the announcement. As it is, unless the winners of all the major awards happen to be books our store has in large quantities, we’ll be scrambling along with other stores to order copies that may or may not be printed yet, and it’s possible the books will lose readers who look to check them out in the initial excitement. And hey, a shortlist would give a leg-up to several presumably good books besides the winners.

]]> By: KT Horning http://www.hbook.com/2013/01/blogs/calling-caldecott/a-little-clarification-and-a-plea/#comment-30014 KT Horning Wed, 23 Jan 2013 17:23:15 +0000 http://www.hbook.com/?p=22038#comment-30014 And the whole point of secrecy, from the start, was to drive people crazy, so that we'd talk about them, thereby giving the awards more visibility and making people care about them more. That was Frederic Melcher's brilliant strategy and it has worked! He was, after all, a book seller who knew a thing or two about generating buzz. And the whole point of secrecy, from the start, was to drive people crazy, so that we’d talk about them, thereby giving the awards more visibility and making people care about them more. That was Frederic Melcher’s brilliant strategy and it has worked! He was, after all, a book seller who knew a thing or two about generating buzz.

]]> By: Sam Bloom http://www.hbook.com/2013/01/blogs/calling-caldecott/a-little-clarification-and-a-plea/#comment-30013 Sam Bloom Wed, 23 Jan 2013 17:19:05 +0000 http://www.hbook.com/?p=22038#comment-30013 You know who would have had a lot to say on the subject of shortlists for the ALSC awards? Peter Seiruta - on his blog Collecting Children's Books he once included some of those lists from the 70s that KT mentioned. I'm of two minds on this. On the one hand, I definitely feel curious some years to hear what titles were discussed just because of the way the criteria are interpreted. For example, I wish I knew what the 2012 Caldecott committee had to say about Kadir Nelson's Heart and Soul (or, for that matter, what the 2009 or 10 or whatever committee thought of Nelson's We are the Ship). Did they consider the books picture books or not? And as a member of a former committee there are definitely times when I wish I could share some of the books that elicited deep discussion - the ones that just barely missed. But of course I'm sworn to secrecy on that one, shall I be struck down by lightning should I utter a word and so forth. However... what really would be the point of a shortlist? Think of last year, when so many people were up in arms about Okay For Now not winning Newbery, or even getting an Honor. Do you really think those same people would feel any comfort in knowing that it was a nominated title, had ALSC published a shortlist? I don't know for sure that it was nominated, of course, not having served on that committee... but I'd bet the farm that it was. So, what would that really do? When you really think about it, the whole awards committee process really benefits greatly from the elements of secrecy that drive those of us on the outside completely crazy at times. You know who would have had a lot to say on the subject of shortlists for the ALSC awards? Peter Seiruta – on his blog Collecting Children’s Books he once included some of those lists from the 70s that KT mentioned.

I’m of two minds on this. On the one hand, I definitely feel curious some years to hear what titles were discussed just because of the way the criteria are interpreted. For example, I wish I knew what the 2012 Caldecott committee had to say about Kadir Nelson’s Heart and Soul (or, for that matter, what the 2009 or 10 or whatever committee thought of Nelson’s We are the Ship). Did they consider the books picture books or not? And as a member of a former committee there are definitely times when I wish I could share some of the books that elicited deep discussion – the ones that just barely missed. But of course I’m sworn to secrecy on that one, shall I be struck down by lightning should I utter a word and so forth.

However… what really would be the point of a shortlist? Think of last year, when so many people were up in arms about Okay For Now not winning Newbery, or even getting an Honor. Do you really think those same people would feel any comfort in knowing that it was a nominated title, had ALSC published a shortlist? I don’t know for sure that it was nominated, of course, not having served on that committee… but I’d bet the farm that it was. So, what would that really do? When you really think about it, the whole awards committee process really benefits greatly from the elements of secrecy that drive those of us on the outside completely crazy at times.

]]> By: KT Horning http://www.hbook.com/2013/01/blogs/calling-caldecott/a-little-clarification-and-a-plea/#comment-30010 KT Horning Wed, 23 Jan 2013 16:57:23 +0000 http://www.hbook.com/?p=22038#comment-30010 P.S. Susan, I learned the above by reading back issues of Top of the News, and by talking to Lillian Gerhardt, who was on the ALSC board at the time. I get the best info from talking to long-time members like Lillian and Peggy Sullivan. They both have phenomenal memories -- and strong opinions! P.S. Susan, I learned the above by reading back issues of Top of the News, and by talking to Lillian Gerhardt, who was on the ALSC board at the time. I get the best info from talking to long-time members like Lillian and Peggy Sullivan. They both have phenomenal memories — and strong opinions!

]]> By: KT Horning http://www.hbook.com/2013/01/blogs/calling-caldecott/a-little-clarification-and-a-plea/#comment-30009 KT Horning Wed, 23 Jan 2013 16:51:31 +0000 http://www.hbook.com/?p=22038#comment-30009 Susan, ALSC compiled the list. It included the books that had been officially nominated by committee members and those sent in as suggestions by the general membership. There used to be a lot more of the latter. ALSC members can still send in suggestions for award consideration, and some do, but not the hundreds who used to do so. Early press after the announcement used to even indicate whether the committee and general membership had been in agreement. Susan, ALSC compiled the list. It included the books that had been officially nominated by committee members and those sent in as suggestions by the general membership. There used to be a lot more of the latter. ALSC members can still send in suggestions for award consideration, and some do, but not the hundreds who used to do so. Early press after the announcement used to even indicate whether the committee and general membership had been in agreement.

]]> By: Lolly Robinson http://www.hbook.com/2013/01/blogs/calling-caldecott/a-little-clarification-and-a-plea/#comment-30005 Lolly Robinson Wed, 23 Jan 2013 13:05:32 +0000 http://www.hbook.com/?p=22038#comment-30005 Here's the URL to the web version of KT's piece about this from July/August 2012 Horn Book Magazine. If you can find the actual article, though, there are some great photos. Note: this is specifically about the Newbery, but of course Caldecott came after and followed the same rules. http://www.hbook.com/2012/06/choosing-books/the-search-for-distinguished/ Here’s the URL to the web version of KT’s piece about this from July/August 2012 Horn Book Magazine. If you can find the actual article, though, there are some great photos. Note: this is specifically about the Newbery, but of course Caldecott came after and followed the same rules.
http://www.hbook.com/2012/06/choosing-books/the-search-for-distinguished/

]]> By: Susan Dailey http://www.hbook.com/2013/01/blogs/calling-caldecott/a-little-clarification-and-a-plea/#comment-30004 Susan Dailey Wed, 23 Jan 2013 13:02:56 +0000 http://www.hbook.com/?p=22038#comment-30004 Meant to say "NOT" automatically dismissing any book with a cartoon style. When I used to read the word "cartoon" in a review, I immediately thought non-contender. I personally love beautiful books, which is why I'm a Kadir Nelson fan, but I've come to appreciate the storytelling abilities and value of illustrations in a book like "Hello, Hello" or "Extra Yarn." Meant to say “NOT” automatically dismissing any book with a cartoon style. When I used to read the word “cartoon” in a review, I immediately thought non-contender. I personally love beautiful books, which is why I’m a Kadir Nelson fan, but I’ve come to appreciate the storytelling abilities and value of illustrations in a book like “Hello, Hello” or “Extra Yarn.”

]]> By: Susan Dailey http://www.hbook.com/2013/01/blogs/calling-caldecott/a-little-clarification-and-a-plea/#comment-30003 Susan Dailey Wed, 23 Jan 2013 12:58:42 +0000 http://www.hbook.com/?p=22038#comment-30003 KT, Do you know who compiled the list in the 70s? Was it the committee? Any suggestions on how I can find out more about this time in Caldecott/Newbery history. I'm fascinated by this kind of Caldecott "trivia," which is one of the reasons I so enjoyed the class you offered through ALSC. (I was a summer student.) I learned a lot about picture book illustration including automatically dismissing any book with a "cartoon" style as a Caldecott contender. Plus your trivia was so interesting! Thanks for offering the class. KT,

Do you know who compiled the list in the 70s? Was it the committee? Any suggestions on how I can find out more about this time in Caldecott/Newbery history. I’m fascinated by this kind of Caldecott “trivia,” which is one of the reasons I so enjoyed the class you offered through ALSC. (I was a summer student.) I learned a lot about picture book illustration including automatically dismissing any book with a “cartoon” style as a Caldecott contender. Plus your trivia was so interesting! Thanks for offering the class.

]]> By: Sam Bloom http://www.hbook.com/2013/01/blogs/calling-caldecott/a-little-clarification-and-a-plea/#comment-30001 Sam Bloom Wed, 23 Jan 2013 11:31:31 +0000 http://www.hbook.com/?p=22038#comment-30001 Nicely said, Robin! And I can't wait to hear the results - both the real committee's and our committee's choices... (Go Kadir!) Nicely said, Robin! And I can’t wait to hear the results – both the real committee’s and our committee’s choices… (Go Kadir!)

]]> By: Monica Edinger http://www.hbook.com/2013/01/blogs/calling-caldecott/a-little-clarification-and-a-plea/#comment-30000 Monica Edinger Wed, 23 Jan 2013 11:14:30 +0000 http://www.hbook.com/?p=22038#comment-30000 Wanting to help those less familiar with the award better understand the Newbery, I wrote a post for the Nerdy Book Club blog ((http://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/) that they are publishing on Sunday, titled "Top Ten Things You May Not Know About the Newbery Award." Pretty much all ten apply to Caldecott too. Wanting to help those less familiar with the award better understand the Newbery, I wrote a post for the Nerdy Book Club blog ((http://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/) that they are publishing on Sunday, titled “Top Ten Things You May Not Know About the Newbery Award.” Pretty much all ten apply to Caldecott too.

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