They’re beautiful. Sublime. True award-winner quality . . . and they’ll get bupkiss this year. Celebrate the beautiful books that don’t fit our current Caldecott criteria.
Review of the Day: The Midnight Fair by Gideon Sterer, ill. Mariachiara Di Giorgio
March 4, 2021 by
This book is an utter joy. One of those titles that lives up to, and then proceeds to exceed, the hype. Heck, I’ll say it. One of the best wordless books I’ve ever read. Full stop. Period.
31 Days, 31 Lists: 2020 Caldenotts
December 7, 2020 by
What books, created by people ineligible for the Caldecott Awards, might otherwise win? Today I bring together some of my favorite books that fall into this category.
A Most Beautiful Reveal of The Most Beautiful Thing: Cover Reveal and Interview with Kao Kalia Yang
February 18, 2020 by
“You have the most to learn from the perspectives that are hardest to find in the world.” For today’s cover reveal, American Hmong author Kao Kalia Yang discusses the story behind her remarkable and beautiful upcoming picture book The Most Beautiful Thing, and how intersectionality informs her writing.
31 Days, 31 Lists: 2019 Caldenotts
December 7, 2019 by
Every publisher that dares to bring into this world a book that either originated in another country or was illustrated by a person who is not a citizen of The United States of America knows, in their heart of hearts, that no matter how grand the book, it will never win the top award for […]
Review of the Day: Small in the City by Sydney Smith
October 23, 2019 by
Small in the City is not flashy or gaudy or loud. It is quiet and serious and oh-so very beautiful. Beautiful right down to its little paper soul. Once in a while, a reviewer gets to talk about a modern day classic. Today, I am that reviewer, and this is that book.
31 Days, 31 Lists: 2018 Calde-notts
December 8, 2018 by
Definition: A “Calde-nott” is an illustrated book for children that is, for one reason or another, ineligible for consideration as a true Caldecott Award contender. Today we pay tribute to the beautiful books from beyond our borders.
31 Days, 31 Lists: Day Eight – 2017 CaldeNotts
December 8, 2017 by
They can’t win a darn thing, and that’s the truth. Sorta. Each year picture books are considered and assessed by the Caldecott committee to determine which titles are the “most distinguished” contributions to the field of children’s literature. And every year truly beautiful contenders will fall by the wayside, winning nothing. Why? Because when the […]
31 Days, 31 Lists: Day Eight – 2016 Calde-nots
December 8, 2016 by
A list based entirely on what a book is not? And what precisely is a Calde-not? Well, we’re getting into semantics and rules today, so buckle up. First and foremost, I direct your attention to the illustrious Caldecott Award. The most famous award given to the most distinguished examples of American illustration for children. Note […]
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