Locomotive – illustrated and written by Brian Floca
Last night, I told ML the Caldecott would be announced today. She started chanting, “Hello My Name is Ruby, Hello My Name is Ruby, Hello My Name is Ruby…” She’ll be upset her choice didn’t win. However, the winner was one of the books she and her friend named an honor book… And the book her friend chose to win was named an honor book. They will be excited winners from their Mock Caldecott received recognition.
The Caldecott Committee has specific criteria it must consider, which I did not ask ML and Calvin to follow. Instead my instructions were, “Here are some books. Decide which book has the best pictures.” If you’re interested in the real committee’s task, I’ve copied the criteria at the end of the post. In addition to the medal, the committee can create a list of books they agree deserve to be honored. This year’s Caldecott Honor books are:
- Journey – written and illustrated by Aaron Becker
- Flora and the Flamingo – written and illustrated by Molly Idle
- Mr. Wuffles! – written and illustrated by David Wiesner
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In identifying a “distinguished American picture book for children,” defined as illustration, committee members need to consider:
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Excellence of execution in the artistic technique employed;
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Excellence of pictorial interpretation of story, theme, or concept;
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Appropriateness of style of illustration to the story, theme or concept;
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Delineation of plot, theme, characters, setting, mood or information through the pictures;
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Excellence of presentation in recognition of a child audience.
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The only limitation to graphic form is that the form must be one which may be used in a picture book. The book must be a self-contained entity, not dependent on other media (i.e., sound, film or computer program) for its enjoyment.
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Each book is to be considered as a picture book. The committee is to make its decision primarily on the illustration, but other components of a book are to be considered especially when they make a book less effective as a children’s picture book. Such other components might include the written text, the overall design of the book, etc.
