2018 Geisel Award Predictions

Here we are, here we are – it’s the end of the year and time to start making some predictions.

Last year I hit on two of my four Geisel picks – allowing me to puff out my chest out with just enough foolish confidence to give it another go.

And if you’re into the Geisel, be sure to check out the Guessing Geisel blog.

Geisel Medal Prediction:

Egg by Kevin Henkes

A page-turning premise. A text that is perfect for the earliest of readers. And a merging of the picture book and comic book formats. While he’s taken home silver twice, here’s predicting Kevin Henkes wins his first Geisel gold with Egg.

Geisel Honor Prediction:

The Good for Nothing Button! by Charise Mericle Harper

Harper’s addition to the Elephant & Piggie Like Reading! series is at once simple and deep. It’s full of humor (most of it coming from the exasperated yellow bird) yet also ponders a larger question: Where do emotions come from, and who is in charge of them? It’s brilliantly executed and I’m betting it will impress the committee.

Geisel Honor Prediction:

There’s a Pest in the Garden! by Jan Thomas

Really, it’s a surprise Jan Thomas hasn’t won a Geisel at this point. While her books have always basically been early readers in picture book form, Thomas put out two official early readers in 2017. I’m guessing the committee gives both a long hard look. This is my favorite of the pair.

Geisel Honor Prediction:

The Hidden Life of a Toad by Doug Wechsler

Only a handful of nonfiction books (Vulture View, Wolfsnail, Hello, Bumblebee Bat) have won a Geisel award of any kind and I think a book as deserving as this might end up joining that group.

Also look out for . . .

I wouldn’t be surprised to see any of the following fine books get shiny stickers, either.

Filed under: Best of, Best of 2017