Mock Caldecott 2026 discussion

Hello, Neighbor!: The Kind and Caring World of Mister Rogers by Matthew Cordell.



Hike by Pete Oswald.



Old Rock by Deb Pilutti



The Boy Who Dreamed of Infinity: A Tale of the Genius Ramanujan by Amy Alznauer and illustrated by Daniel Miyares

Could any of these titles be a future Caldecott?

None of these books are in front of me at the moment; I read all of them before August, and I liked all four of these books. But I liked other books better. But what do I know? The Caldecott committee usually chooses the books that I didn't like quite as much instead of the books that I liked better.

Hello Neighbor was my favorite of these four. I enjoyed reading more about Mr. Rogers' background and how that translated into his children's television program. Cordell's illustrations did a good job of capturing a lot of details pertaining to the show.
Hike
I liked the idea and story of Hike better than I liked the illustrations. Father-son bonding time is a great theme for a picture book.
Old Rock (Is Not Boring)
Although Old Rock's friends, a pine tree, hummingbird, and ladybug all think that his life is boring, he tells them of all his adventures through many years. The colorful illustrations, rendered in casein paint, depict the expressions of the various characters with great expertise.
The Boy Who Dreamed of Infinity
I actually watched the DVD of this book. The biography was fascinating and the illustrations were lovely.

I was able to get an e-copy of Hello Neighbor.
While it's nearly impossible to separate feelings about Fred Rogers, his show, and this book, I think it's fair to say that this biography described his childhood, his growing interests, his career, and his show. The illustrations felt a bit "busy", which is in contrast to Mr. Rogers, who always seemed so centered and uncluttered and focused. This book could serve as a great introduction to Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, but for me, it would have to be followed by seeing "the real thing" on TV, to bring to life the quotes and songs and values that were hinted at in the book. I could sing these in my head as I saw them printed in the book, and I could see his expressions in my mind; but kids who haven't watched the show would be missing a lot if they only read this book. I don't see these illustrations rising to the level of a Caldecott award.

I love Fred Rogers, but didn't think this book was up to Caldecott standards. It is a biography so it has lots of details and some dates about his life. This one just didn't rise to the top in my opinion.

I enjoyed this book and will definitely recommend for check outs at the library. It offers an opportunity to talk about how the earth was formed and a scope for "billions of years ago" with pretty young children. Not in my top picks for Caldecott, though.

Wordless picture book (I think? I don't have it in front of me anymore). It is smartly designed and appealing with text and illustrations. I just don't know if it moved me in the way I expect a Caldecott to.

o.

I'm trying hard as a "regular person" to get access to these books during these trying times! I miss reading my picture books! I was able to find 1 hard copy and 3 online; I don't know that any rise to the level of Caldecott for me. Hello Neighbor illustrations felt busy; Old Rock has merits but doesn't seem "distinguished" to me. My favorite is Hike--the illustrations in this wordless book evoke so many emotions encountered on this father-son hike. You feel like you've been on the journey with them--the expectancy, the challenge, the exhilaration, the solitude, the peaceful satisfaction, the fatigue.

I reread two of these books to see what I thought of them after a break - Hello, Neighbor and Old Rock - because I liked them the first time I read them. Unfortunately, a second reading diminished my view of them. I agree with the comment that Old Rock has an intriguing premise, but the illustrations are not distinguished enough. I also agree with others that Hello, Neighbor can be busy in spots. It's too bad because there are some pages that are beautifully-crafted testaments to the imagination and appeal of Rogers, who is such a hero to me. If some of the more catalogue-like pages could have been put in an appendix at the end, then maybe the human factor could have shone through more. My hat off to Cordell for at least bringing attention to this great man and maybe inspiring a visit to his neighborhood in video form.