Our 2026 Mock Caldecott Program

Every year at my K-3 school we do a Mock Caldecott program. Here’s a run down of how we’re Mock Caldecotting this year.

Week 1

• I’ve learned over time that too much detail can bog down the entire process (especially for lower elementary) so I do my best to keep it simple. I introduce the Caldecott. I show the honor and the medal. I explain it’s given for the best illustrations. I talk about how it’s chosen. I explain that soon we’ll be reading books that might win and our school will be choosing our favorite.
• We read a past winner. I’m reading Kitten’s First Full Moon with kindergarten, This is Not My Hat with 1st grade, Beekle with 2nd and Finding Winnie with 3rd grade. When finished, I ask students why they think it won. Discussions about art ensue.
• We watch the most recent (2025) Caldecott announcements to get a feel for what it’s like.

Weeks 2-3

• We read two mock Caldecott books back-to-back. After we finish each one, I ask students if anything stood out to them about the illustrations. Discussions about art ensue.
• After reading the two books, students pick the one they thought had the best illustrations. For K-1 it’s a show of hands, for 2-3 we vote via a google form – this is just an informal “Which of the two had the strongest illustrations?” vote. The official vote comes in week 4.

Week 4

• We review all the books. I remind students that the Caldecott Medal is an award for the illustrations. Students vote via a google form. Or here’s an alternative: paper ballots showing all four book covers. Students circle their choice.

After

• I add up the votes. Most votes gets the medal, the next closest batch of vote getters receive honors. I announce the winners to students!
• Fast forward to Monday, January 26 at 10 a.m. CT. I show the 2026 Youth Media Awards video to students. Did any of our Mock Caldecott picks get awards?

Here are the books we’re reading this year. Admittedly, it’s a limited list. Be sure to check out the Mock Caldecott list on Goodreads, the discussion list at the Calling Caldecott blog, and the Caldecott predictions at A Fuse #8 Production for more ideas:

How do YOU Mock Caldecott? Leave advice in the comments.

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