The 2018 Caldecott Comment Card
Once the winners have been announced, I want to know what you think. Go ahead and share in the comments. Which choice are you happiest with? Which book did the committee miss?
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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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I’m happiest about CROWN getting multi-stickered! I’m surprised / disappointed that AFTER THE FALL wasn’t awarded.
This is EXACTLY what I was going to write!
Happiest for Elisha Cooper and Big Cat, little cat! Our class was looking forward to Little Fox in the Forest or All the Way to Havana on being awarded.
Happiest about- The Caldecott and Newbery Medal Gold medal winners
Book they missed-Little Fox in the Forest and Orphan Island
Surprised and Thrilled about – Crown getting a Newbery Honor
Just plain thrilled about so many POC receiving awards for books I’ve read and enjoyed, especially Renee Watson’s Piecing me Together.
Thanks Travis
We had a Mock Caldecott last week and I spent the whole time overwhelmed by the awesomeness of the possibilities, so, what did they MISS? Where to even begin? It’s like they need twenty Honors to give everything its due! The more interesting/annoying question is what did *I* miss, because when I gathered all the buzzed contenders we had for the Mock, that DIDN’T include ‘Crown’ OR ‘A Different Pond,’ and I was still overwhelmed by the choices. I HAD ordered ‘A Different Pond’ weeks ago, and it hasn’t shown up yet, so that one’s not quite my fault. ‘Crown’ I fully admit is my big failure in collection development this year. My (non-librarian) friend mentioned getting it a couple weeks ago and I told her, “That thing keeps getting major buzz, I have a feeling I’m going to really regret not putting it in my last pre-ALAYMA book order” and she outright told me “You NEED to put it in your next order, now!” Here I am!
Our Mock Caldecott winner was “Claymates.” I can see why it’s not QUITE Caldecott-standard, but it certainly got the most love.
Oh, I remember what I finally chose as my vote: ‘Dazzle Ships.’ I was just so amazed by how the camouflage themes kept weaving through all the art. I am surprised that one didn’t take anything!
My kiddos loved Claymates too, lots of appeal there.
Holy cow, was I surprised by the winners! Really disappointed that After the Fall wasn’t recognized and elated that Crown… and so many other books by people of color were honored.
Happiest About: Wolf in the Snow – timeless
Books They Missed: The Book of Mistakes – illustrated by Corinna Luyken; Little Fox in the Forest – illustrated by Stephanie Graegin; Blue Sky White Stars – illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Happiest about: Wolf in the Snow. I loved that book and talked it up with my students.
Most disappointed: After the Fall. I’m shocked it wasn’t honored in any way. Fabulous book.
Sad that The Antlered Ship was overlooked. So beautiful.
Happiest about CROWN.
Surprised that DAZZLE SHIPS didn’t get any love.
Had hoped that EGG, NOW, and THE BOOK OF MISTAKES would be honored.
All in all, though, it was a great morning!
I’m happiest about Wolf in the Snow!
Book they Missed: Bummed about After The Fall