We’re so close! By next week we’ll know the winner this year’s Caldecott Medal, a prestigious award given annually to the artist of the most distinguished picture book of the year. It’s kind of like the Oscars of picture books. We’re also very excited that our very own Megan Lambert is serving on the Caldecott committee this year, but unfortunately no insider hints as to what they might pick – that’s Top Secret Stuff!
So what do we think might be sporting that fancy gold medal this year? Some of my most favorite books of the year – The Quiet Book, Shadow, and Mirror aren’t eligible since the illustrators don’t live in the United States. You can read all the qualifications for the medal at the American Library Association’s website as well as see a complete list of past winners since 1938.
This year I have high hopes for Erin E. Stead’s debut picture book, A Sick Day for Amos McGee,
Tony Fucile’s Bink & Gollie,
and Bill Thompson’s Chalk.
These books were among the books on Susan Bloom’s list of best picture books of the year (and she always has a good eye for what’s going to win). You can see all the books from her lecture at The Carle here.
So those are my favorites, but what about you? Let’s hear your predictions for this year’s Caldecott. What do you think will win? What picture book do you wish could win even if you think it won’t? I can’t wait to find out!
Tags: 2010, best books, Caldecott, picture books, susan bloom