Description

We will be having two Mock Caldecott Discussions during the last two PaLA YSD meetings scheduled in 2025. This will be an opportunity for us to highlight and discuss our favorite distinguished picture books providing a visual experience for children up to age 14, published by an American publisher the preceding year (2025).

Top Recommend Books for Pa YSD 2026 Mock Caldecott Discussion #1 (not in any particular order)

1. Stalactite & Stalagmite: A Big Tale from a Little Cave by Drew Beckmeyer

2. Fireworks by Matthew Burgess

3. To See an Owl by Matthew Cordell

4. Hope in a Jar by Deborah Marcero

5. Don't Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson

6. Every Monday Mabel by Jashar Awan

7. The History of We by Nikkolas Smith

8. Cat Nap by Brian Lies

9. Wind Watchers by Micha Archer

10. Old Blue is My Home by Lita Judge

11. Safe Crossing by Kari Percival

12. Where the Deer Slip Through by Katey Howes

13. Go Tell It: How James Baldwin Became a Writer illustrated by Gordon C. James; written by Quartez Harris

14. Our Lake by Angie Kang.

We will briefly review the guidelines at our meeting, however, you are encouraged to take a deeper look at them on the ALA website.

https://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecott

This conversation is meant to be a starting point. Thank you to those that voiced their selections. If you have another book you'd like to add to the list, we'd love to hear from you. We can add it to our second round of discussions at December's Meeting. A simple google poll sheet will be provided after next month's meeting to determine our winner using the same criteria as the committee. We will announce the Pa YSD Mock Caldecott results at the beginning of January 2026.

If you have not had time to review the books above, you are still welcome and encouraged to join us. Additionally, If you have any of the titles, please bring them with you to share the illustrations with others.

Respectfully,

Nina White (YSD Chair 2026)