Mock Caldecott 2026 discussion

The Troublemaker by Lauren Castillo

The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky's Abstract Art by Barb Rosenstock

Brother Hugo and the Bear by Katy Beebe

Bad Bye, Good Bye by Deborah Underwood


What did you think of these reads? Which is your favorite?

What happened to September?

Librarygarden wrote: "What happened to September?"

Ugg. Sorry everyone. I fixed the title.

Shoe Dog I love this book! I wanted to carry it around and show everyone I met. I can't wait to read it to my students.

Mrs. wrote: "Shoe Dog I love this book! I wanted to carry it around and show everyone I met. I can't wait to read it to my students."

This is really an exceptional picture book. It would be great if if won the Caldecott but I think it has a better chance of winning the Theodore Geisel award.

I just read Uni the Unicorn by Amy Rosenthal. I absolutely loved it.

Laura wrote: "I just read Uni the Unicorn by Amy Rosenthal. I absolutely loved it."

I'll look for it!

Elizabeth wrote: "Laura wrote: "I just read Uni the Unicorn by Amy Rosenthal. I absolutely loved it."

I'll look for it!"

Awesome! If you really want to get blown away by some breath taking illustrations check out Viva Frida by Yuyi Morales. Absolutely incredible. Probably the most gorgeous picture book I have seen in several years.

I love Uni the Unicorn too, Laura! It's the only picture book I've bought so far this year :)

Kate wrote: "I love Uni the Unicorn too, Laura! It's the only picture book I've bought so far this year :)"

Isn't it fantastic?! Look for Sparky! and an upcoming one by Patrick McDonnell (I forget the name). I think you will really like them :)

Will do :) I love Patrick McDonnell (especially Me...Jane)!

Back to the books for this month, here is my review for
The Troublemaker:
That rascally raccoon! The reader can see the raccoon sneaking around, spying on the children on several of the pages, and also watch him make off with various stuffed toys. The illustrations, done in pen and ink with acetone transfer and compiled digitally, are brightly colored, except for the pages which are a black silhouette. The illustrations show actions that are not specified in the text, such as the raccoon making off with the toys. Young readers will be amused by the raccoon's thefts practically under the noses of the two children. This would be a good choice for a story time. I don't think that the illustrations are distinguished enough for the Caldecott, but it is a very cute book.

Beverly wrote: "Back to the books for this month, here is my review for
The Troublemaker:
That rascally raccoon! The reader can see the raccoon sneaking around, spying on the children on several o..."

Troublemaker is super cute but the buzz is all about Lauren Castillo's other new release, Nana in the City. I haven't read this one but I am looking forward to it.

Laura wrote: "Kate wrote: "I love Uni the Unicorn too, Laura! It's the only picture book I've bought so far this year :)"

Isn't it fantastic?! Look for Sparky! and an upcoming one by Patrick McDonnell (I forget..."

I got Sparky! before school was out last year and immediately loved it. Who wouldn't want a mail order sloth! If anyone has a great way they teach a Mock Caldecott unit I'd love to hear about it. With also doing our state award book, I'm trying to figure out how to work in a Caldecott study as well.

Troublemaker--Castillo had me at "and a prisoner"! I love how the hand on this page is reaching in to grab the rabbit and then the silhouette page follows with sister trying to get her rabbit back. The simple text will appeal to kids who have "borrowed" their siblings favorite toy for a game only to be told to give it back. I do wonder if Rascal (the toy) was a raccoon in early versions of the story or if editing turned him in to one? My favorite spread is the one with mom's shadow and the tips of her red shoes stretching out across the page with the raccoon peeking over the tomato basket. The illustrations remind me a little of Lenski's. I could see this as a Caldecott, Geisel or both!

Bad Bye, Good Bye--It's hard when you don't understand why you're moving away from all you know. Underwood does a fine job showing us how moving can be difficult, but also allows us to see and experience new places and meet new friends. Bean's illustrations do a fine job in illustrating how the boy is feeling about the move through the rain, heat, and a stuffed car. Things begin to get a little brighter on the pool spread, but again turn dark as they arrive in the new town...it is a little scary to arrive somewhere new. But the light from the stars and the new friend help us see that everything will be okay.

Brother Hugo and the Bear
I loved this book! I loved the way it was designed as an illuminated manuscript. The ink and watercolor illustrations are humorous, and it will be fun for children to look for the bear on some of the pages where it is pretty well hidden. The story is also humorous, as poor Brother Hugo has lost a library book to a bear's appetite, and must go fetch another copy from a distant monastery, and then he has to copy it, and then return it to the other monastery. And on his journey, that rascally bear follows him! I do hope this book is honored in some way. S. D. Schindler has illustrated many books, and I think this is one of his best.

Bad Bye, Good Bye is the stand out for me this month. The play on words is clever and the illustrations draw you in, wondering what techniques were used. It might be a better fit for the Geisel, though.

Bad Bye, Good Bye
I have to agree with Librarygarden and Jenni on this one. The layered-look illustrations in ink and Prismacolor tone convey so much more than the two to four words on each page can express. I also think it is very much deserving of an award.

Just looked over the Bound To Stay Bound shooting starts list for June - August and it felt good that I had read a decent portion on the list this summer! I now also have more books to put on my hold list at the library...not a bad problem to have!

The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky's Abstract Art
This is an excellent picture book biography, giving a brief outline of Kandinsky's childhood, his interest in art, and his development of abstract art. The acrylic and collage illustrations are brilliant, flowing, free, and highly colorful. There is high contrast between Kandinsky's exuberant abstracts and the traditional, realistic paintings hanging in the family home. Mary Grandpre is well-known for her book cover illustrations of the American editions of the seven Harry Potter books. She is very much deserving of an award for the illustrations in this book.

Brother Hugo and the Bear--Lovely illustrations with historical significance to the story, but I feel there is a very small audience for this title.

The Noisy Paintbox--Beautiful illustrations that tell much of the story along with the text. Rosenstock and Grandpre's teaming on this title is true teamwork. Through the text we are brought closer into Kandinsky's world of how colors and sound spoke to him. I love the final spread of the little girl viewing Kandinsky's work.

Brother Hugo & The Bear looks great, but unfortunately, does not appear to be readily available in Australia. Whilst there's clearly some religious elements based on its title, does the narrative contain any strong religious themes? I'm wondering as it makes it less likely to be ordered through our library.

Helen wrote: "Brother Hugo & The Bear looks great, but unfortunately, does not appear to be readily available in Australia. Whilst there's clearly some religious elements based on its title, does the narrative c..."

Why would your library censor books with religious themes? In the US, public libraries collect books with strong religious themes from all the major religions, and minor ones as well.

The story about Brother Hugo and the Bear does concern monks and a monastery from several centuries ago (I don't remember an exact date mentioned), but from the time when monks had to painstakingly hand-copy out every manuscript, and walk to get to other places. The story isn't so much about the monks' religion as it is about the amusing problems Hugo has with the rascally bear.

Thanks Beverly - that information is really helpful. Aside from picture books concerning religious holidays, it is rare to find picture books incorporating overt religious themes within our regional library network, unless it is a clear 'non-fiction' title. Don't know why! But I might try to get this ordered in - it looks fantastic.

My favorite of these four was Bad Bye, Good Bye. I feel like this could have been completely wordless. It's just phrases that aren't really a "story". The dark illustrations set the grumpy mood of our little boy. However, when he gets to his new neighborhood things lighten up and so does he. All the work is done, don't even need words. I think children could relate to this book and it could be used for any difficult situation.

Ranell wrote: "My favorite of these four was Bad Bye, Good Bye. I feel like this could have been completely wordless. It's just phrases that aren't really a "story". The dark illustrations set the grumpy mood ..."

Ranell I feel that the phrases do tell the story through the child's perspective. Every time I read it I catch something I didn't catch before. It's perfect for the Geisel or the Caldecott.