I am not happy with the American Library Association.  Their Midwinter conference is earlier than I remember in years past.  With a busy fall and the holidays, ML and I have some work to do.  Every year we do a Mock Caldecott with her dear friend, Calvin.  They’ve been friends since they were two.  I’m not sure how I’m going to get them together before January 11th.  It only takes them about 15 minutes to decide which book they think should win.  However, between school, my work schedule and ML’s time with her Dad, it’s going to be hard.

Sadly, our tradition with Calvin did not happen this year.  However, I squeezed in a Mock Caldecott Friday.  Taking advantage of ML’s subjects for her Science Fair experiment… five third grade girls.  ML’s topic is “Do you run faster after drinking orange juice?”  In the chilly, drizzle each girl was timed while they ran around the track.  Afterwards, they chugged 200 ml of orange juice.  Twenty minutes later, they were timed running the track again.  During their break between runs, I grabbed the opportunity… placing around 15 books I consider worthy of the Caldecott on the table.  Each girl selected two favorites.

ML’s Top Two

In a Village by the Sea by Muon Van and illustrated by April Chu

The Night World by Mordicai Gerstein

MLL’s Top Two (not to be confused with ML)

Finding Winnie by Lindsay Mattick and illustrated by Sophie Blackall

In a Village by the Sea by Muon Van and illustrated by April Chu

AO’s Top Two

Waiting by Kevin Henkes

Wolfie the Bunny by Ame Dyckman

SJ’s Top Two

Finding Winnie by Lindsay Mattick and illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Wolfie the Bunny by Ame Dyckman

AH’s Top Two

Waiting by Kevin Henkes

The Night World by Mordicai Gerstein

My Top Two

If You Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson

In a Village by the Sea by Muon Van and illustrated by April Chu

We have to wait until Monday from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. to hear the choices made by the official Caldecott committee.  Warning colleagues at the Cary Library, I will be live streaming this while we are completing the library opening procedures.

I have to wait until Wednesday morning to find out the results of ML’s experiment.  She does her Science Fair project with her Dad every year.  You can find me Wednesday morning at ML’s school to find out if you run faster after drinking orange juice.