2011 Caldecott Medal Predictions
We had it easy last year.
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We had Jerry Pinkney, a multiple Caldecott honor recipient (yet without the big medal) release a book that all but growled at readers to take notice. It was a clear combination of a deserving illustrator and an exceptional book.
2011 isn’t quite as easy. We have some familiar names, sure, but not the same Pinkney-like combination that’s easy to point to and say “that’s itâ€. The following selections are not necessarily what I think should win, but my prediction of the names they’ll call on the big day.
Here are my picks for 2011 Caldecott glory.
2010 Caldecott Medal Prediction: Chalk by Bill Thomson
Ask Chris Van Allsburg and David Wiesner: Caldecott has a soft spot for precision. And Chalk, with its photorealistic artwork, has precision in spades. The fact that it’s wordless only helps, as the cinematic illustrations take on the full storytelling load. While Thomson has put out beautiful books in the past, Chalk makes the reader sit up and take notice more than anything he’s done before.
Caldecott Honor Prediction: A Sick Day for Amos Magee by Philip Stead, illustrated by Erin Stead
This is the sort of book that you want to get behind. This is the sort of book you want to celebrate. This is the sort of book that I could see committee members fighting for. And have you seen Erin Stead’s process for creating these illustrations? Awesome.
I think Amos Mcgee is just too endearing to deny. I’m predicting an honor.
Caldecott Honor Prediction: Art & Max by David Wiesner
Hey, I didn’t say I was going to go out on a limb here. Similar to how people say actor Denzel Washington is so talented that he deserves an Oscar for every role, David Wiesner deserves Caldecott attention for every book he creates – and he usually gets it. I expect to see Art & Max take home an honor. And I’m not simply going on track record here, folks – just look at the artwork – isn’t it some of the very best of the year?
Caldecott Honor Prediction: Flora’s Very Windy Day by Jeanne Birdsall, illustrated by Matt Phelan
Similar to last year’s All the World, Flora’s Windy Day feels like a consensus-builder. Birdsall’s whimsical story of a little brother swept away with the wind provides ample opportunity for Phelan’s ink, watercolor, and pastel artwork to reach grand proportions. My crystal ball says “honor”.
Which book do you think Caldecott will smile upon?
Be sure to watch the 2011 ALA Youth Media Awards on January 10 at 7:45 PST to find out.
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About Travis Jonker
Travis Jonker is an elementary school librarian in Michigan. He writes reviews (and the occasional article or two) for School Library Journal and is a member of the 2014 Caldecott committee. You can email Travis at scopenotes@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter: @100scopenotes.
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Totally agree about “Chalk.” It’s fantastic. The only thing that makes me hesitate about predicting the top spot for it is wondering if they’d give a wordless book the Medal two years in a row. But if that’s not a likely factor, then: Yes! I second the nom prediction!
That was the biggest question for me about this pick as well. In the end, I felt Chalk was different enough from Lion & Mouse to avoid any feelings of repetition. You may very well be right, however. It’ll be interesting to see how the chips fall.
I would LOVE to see Amos McGee get recognized in some way. Can’t wait to see what Erin Stead does next.
Agreed – I’m excited to see what she does next.
I would love to see Amos on the list! I adore that book so much-it’s a new favorite. The illustrations are beautiful and really stand out and the book itself is so charming and sweet you really can’t help but hug it when you’re finished. (Or maybe I’m just the weird one who goes around hugging books!)
Chalk is amazing and I think it has a good chance. The illustrations are so lifelike and it reminded me a bit of Wiesner’s books which are always librarian love fests.
I’d also love to see some love for The Quiet Book. The illustrations convy so much emotion which makes the book really stand out to me.
Seems like everyone who reads Amos McGee loves it. Really loves it. Like wants to marry it (myself included). I’m feelin’ good about its chances…
The Quiet Book is an interesting case. As far as I know, the illustrator lives in Canada, which makes the book ineligible. I’m totally with you on its greatness, though. I guess Renata Liwska will have to settle for the Canada-cott (or whatever is the Canadian equivalent of the Caldecott).
That really stinks about The Quiet Book! I’ve seen it pop up on so many mock lists I hadn’t even thought about it.
Amos McGee is an instant classic-I’m glad I’m not alone in my love for it!
Chalk would be a great pick. I agree with all of your choices. I wouldn’t mind seeing an honor for Where is Catkin? Julie Paschkis is terrific, but I wonder if the story is not strong enough for Caldecott mention. Ballet for Martha and City Dog, Country Frog are also strong contenders.
I was this close to adding City Dog, Country Frog to this group. I know you can’t see my fingers, but I’m holding up my pointer finger and thumb with with about a millimeter of space in between them. I think that book could very well get some hardware.
Chalk has been a huge hit with K to 2 at my school. Classes would gasp out loud when I turned certain pages and “read the pictures”
Art and Max is beautiful but the story doesn’t fully work for me. Amos cute and nice. How about Ubiquitous by Joyce Sidman a nonfiction option.
I wish Jan Thomas has something new out this year.
I LOVE Flora’s Windy Day, it is my favorite book this year and I am completely rooting for it to win. But I am just as enamored of Pocket Full of Posies by Sally Mavor. Such beauty and depth in her hand sewn artwork. I will be disappointed if both these books aren’t at least on the honor list.
I’d like to see Salley Mavor win, too. Or David Ezra Stein. (The Steads, of course, too, but then I’ve said that till I’m blue in the face. Go, Steads!)
At least Liwska got the gold for this: http://www.societyillustrators.org/At-the-Museum/2010/2010-Original-Art/2010-Original-Art.aspx. ‘Cause I assumed she was ineligible, too, for the Caldecott. Bummer. One of the best books of the year.
So many other great titles. I just sit back every year and wait and see. It’s always something I hadn’t thought of.
Okay. Having just completed this post—http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/?p=2053—’cause I’m a ginormous nerd and there’s no getting around it, I feel like I want to put in my two cents for Clever Jack Takes the Cake by Candace Fleming and ill. by G. Brian Karas. (You see, when someone asks me my Caldecott opinion, my mind blanks, but that post reminded me of that wonderful, WONDERFUL book.)
Okay, just for the record.
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