Although I missed a train and had to do some sprinting, I made it to the San Diego convention center just in time to watch the 2011 ALA Youth Media Awards. I’m hoping we soon reach the point where we can all simply call them the YMAs, but until that point I am legally required to mention that this is is where the Newbery, Caldecott, and other awards are announced. Although I have watched the YMA webcast in the past, this was my first time in attendance for the big event.
It was a fun morning.
So how did the awards that I follow closest shake out?
Caldecott Medal: A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead
Honor: Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave by Bryan Collier
Honor: Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein (100 Scope Notes review)
Yeah! I like the breakdown of this list – one I predicted (Amos), one I loved, but didn’t expect to see (Chicken), and one that was oh so deserving (Dave). Overall I was 1 for 4 on my Caldecott predictions, naming Amos McGee as an honor book.
Watch the Caldecott announcements:
Newbery Medal: Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool
Honor: Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm
Honor: Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus
Honor: Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Rick Allen
Honor: One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia (100 Scope Notes Review)
Moon Over Manifest was the shocker of the day – completely unexpected. I loved the inclusion of poetry picture book Dark Emperor, and One Crazy Summer (which I thought should win the big one) made the list as an honor.
Watch the Newbery announcements:
Geisel Award: Bink & Gollie by Kate DiCamillo & Alison McGhee, illustrated by Tony Fucile (100 Scope Notes review)
Honor: Ling & Ting: Not Exactly the Same! by Grace Lin
Honor: We Are in a Book! by Mo Willems (100 Scope Notes review)
I am still smiling about this Geisel group. I loved Bink & Gollie, so I was glad to see it take the top spot. I was also pleased as all get out that We Are in a Book received an honor – I was worried that it may get overlooked since Mo Willems has alread won the Geisel a few times. Not the case! And rightfully so – this installment of the Elephant & Piggie saga ranks among the best.
Watch the Geisel announcements:
Of the books on this year’s Caldecott, Newbery, and Geisel lists, five appeared on the Top 20 Books of 2010.
Now bring on 2011.
About Travis Jonker
Travis, good to meet you, if briefly! Now off to school where I did have a copy of Moon over Manifest — just where?
Nice meeting you too! Ha – you’re certainly not alone in scrambling for Moon Over Manifest. I’ll be interested to see if our copy is on the shelf when I get back to work.
I watched the webcast yesterday, but man, would it be awesome to actually be there! Thanks for posting the videos.
This is so cool, Travis – thanks for posting! It was nice to meet you – and I hope the trip home was as easy as the trip to San Diego!
Thanks for posting these videos. Three cheers for A Sick Day for Amos McGee and Bink and Gollie!