It begins...

by Robin Smith and Lolly Robinson
Aug 29, 2011 | Filed in Articles & Opinion
Calling Caldecott | The Horn Book

Hello to all from blog newbies Robin and Lolly! When Roger Sutton asked us to helm a Heavy Medal companion blog, was there any chance we would refuse? Absolutely not!

We both have inside knowledge about the workings of the Caldecott Committee, some of which we'll share with you over the next four months as we host this conversation about the best picture books of 2011. Of course, the proceedings of each committee are largely hush-hush, but we will do our best to illuminate the process without getting in trouble with the ALSC police. And being a mock Caldecott blog, OUR committee will have complete transparency.

Here is a link to the official Terms and Criteria for judging the Caldecott Medal. As you will see, there are a lot of rules! The main ones to be aware of are that books under consideration must be

  • published in 2011

  • published in the USA

  • illustrated by a person whose primary residence is the USA


On a real committee, deliberations can't begin until the nominations are in. We both have our favorites so far this year, but we want to hear yours first. The way we see it, instead of being a traditional Caldecott Committee of fifteen, this is a committee of us two plus all of you.
Robin Smith and Lolly Robinson
Robin Smith is a second-grade teacher at the Ensworth School in Nashville, Tennessee. She is a reviewer for Kirkus and The Horn Book Magazine and has served on multiple award committees. Lolly Robinson is the designer and production manager for The Horn Book, Inc. She has degrees in studio art and children's literature and teaches children's and adolescent literature at Harvard University's Graduate School of Education. She has served on the Caldecott and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award committees.
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Alison O'Reilly

What about Naamah and the Ark at Night: A Lullaby by Susan Campbell Bartoletti, illustrated by Holly Meade? The watercolor collage art is stunning.

Posted : Sep 28, 2011 03:32

Brenda Huante

I haven't received my copy of "Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature" yet, (Joyce Sidman and Beth Krommes) but I think I will vote on this one based on the illustrations I've seen so far on the cover and in the trailer.

Posted : Sep 21, 2011 06:40

Robin Smith

I don't have it yet, but it promises to be a strong offering. Thanks for suggesting it, Brenda!

Posted : Sep 21, 2011 06:40

KT Horning

I second this one!

Posted : Sep 21, 2011 06:40

Rebecca Hachmyer

14 titles to consider so far..... can't wait! :)

Posted : Sep 20, 2011 04:05

Kate Coombs

I thought some of the later offerings in the year might change my mind, but no: I'm still in love with Me...Jane by Patrick McDonnell. Beautifully done!

Posted : Sep 14, 2011 12:48

Paul W. Hankins

If we consider Wonderstruck for the way in which words and images work together, I'd like to throw in a pitch for Roots and Blues with poems by Arnold Adoff and paintings by R. Gregory Christie. Striking. . .beautiful. I'd like to see a Coretta Scott King Award on this one as well. And in the tradition of A Wreath for Emmett Till, I wouldn't mind seeing a Printz Honor for this title.

Posted : Sep 13, 2011 10:39

Robin Smith

I am still waiting on my UPS driver to bring me Wonderstruck, so others might be having the same issue. However, Roots and Blues has been out since January, so, go it should be at your libraries now. Thanks for bringing it to our collective attention, Paul.

Posted : Sep 13, 2011 10:39

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