For those of you who are new to us, welcome.

For those returning, welcome back.

We are Robin Smith, Lolly Robinson, and Martha Parravano. Lolly and Martha are creative geniuses at The Horn Book Magazine, and I am a second grade teacher at Ensworth School in Nashville, Tennessee, and a book reviewer for the Horn Book. We all love to talk about books. We have been moderating this blog for the past five years, and each year we do things a little differently. Last year we asked friends and colleagues to contribute their thoughts about picture books to the blog. We will continue to pass the microphone around this fall. It was fun hearing a variety of voices; it just kept things fresh. 

And here is where you come in: which books are you drawn to this year? Which 2016 picture books have you shared with children that they come back to over and over again? Which books seem to fit with the criteria? Keep in mind the basic eligibility rules: American citizen or resident is the big one. That’s for the illustrator (the author's citizenship or residency doesn't matter). A book has to be published in the US in 2016, in English, and be an original work (i.e., not a reissue or previously published elsewhere). If you need a refresher course, there's a link on the right (and here) to the Caldecott manual. 

Before we chime in with our suggestions, we would like to hear from YOU.

Early next week, we three will be back with our own preliminary lists of suggestions.