Allison

I really like the books. I think they all reflect such high quality and such excellent story telling supported by beautiful and challenging art. And that is the point, right? While they are not all books I expected, that happens to me every year. I want to congratulate and thank The Horn Book for excellent reviews, articles, interviews, guidance, and perspectives all year.

Posted : Jan 13, 2016 11:30

Ruth

Doesn't the book win, not the author? In which case "Last Stop on Market Street" is the work of both Matt de la Pena and Christian Robinson?? The fact that the illustrator of a picture book is mentioned only as an aside in the reporting of this award (all over news media, not just here) is mind-boggling. I love the words and pictures in this book and I can't imagine either one succeeding on their own. If you award a Newbery to a picture book, you have to recognize the person who made the pictures, no?

Posted : Jan 13, 2016 05:25

Sam Juliano

Amen to that Roberta! :)

Posted : Jan 12, 2016 09:16

Roberta Rivera

Congratulations to all the winners and honorees! I'm amazed the quality books that go through the process in the committees. I can only imagine what a difficult task it is. We've been so fortunate that the librarians lovingly look at each book. I'm grateful to them.

Posted : Jan 12, 2016 04:41

Charlene Williams

I too was sad to not see Float by Daniel Miyares not on the list of Caldecott Honors. I was certainly rooting for him. I have yet to read Finding Winnie, but I do know it was on many lists for predictions. Hats of to the Winners and the Honors.

Posted : Jan 12, 2016 03:44

Sam Juliano

Revised comment from earlier thread--- Positively thrilled that FINDING WINNIE won the gold for all sorts of reasons. Sophie Blackall is one of the classiest human beings anyone would ever want to meet and her two performances in 2015 were nothing short of stupendous. FINDING WINNIE has classic all over it when released, and today is surely celebration time in children’s literature. I concur with Alia above that FLOAT’s unexpected absence is lamentable, and I mourn other books like TWO MICE, BOATS FOR PAPA, IT’S ONLY STANLEY, ADDY’S HOUSE, THE SKUNK, SPECIAL DELIVERY, YARD SALE, and JON ROY LYNCH among others for now ending up in the winner’s circle. TROMBONE SHORTY is a wonderful book. Gorgeous for sure as I just noticed again when I read it to a class after the announcement. But who figured? I didn’t. Neither did anyone save for two people on these threads. I certainly preferred it by a long distance over the Ed Young book that was on the ballot here, but that just comes down to personal opinion. LAST STOP AT MARKET STREET made the top of Mt. Everest today with the dual Newbery gold and Caldecott silver. An incredible performance managed only one previously and a tour de force. Though Lolly has VOICE OF FREEDOM on her shortlist, its win had to be considered a mild surprise. Not as surprising as Mr. Collier’s book, but still. And yet it is a stunningly beautiful book. And then WAITING, which will surely be adored for generations to come. A revelation. We all have favorites that didn’t make it, but I don’t think anyone can quibble with any of these treasures. And I was very happy to see FOUR (4) Honor books. I know last year the matter of SIX (6) was hotly debated. I am thinking that the majority of those who thought 6 was way out of hand would probably accept 4. I know most people were predicted 3 or 4.

Posted : Jan 11, 2016 07:32