Interview with Ms. Natalie: The Mock Caldecott
Falcon’s Flyer: What is the Caldecott Medal?
Ms. Natalie: The medal is an award given by the American Library Association to the best American Picture book written for children.
FF: How are books nominated and awarded the Caldecott?
NR: There are no nominations. A committee is formed made up of librarians, teachers, and ALA members.
FF: Who nominates the books?
NR: The committee gets together and they bring their own selections, and then they go through a list of expectations for the book.
FF: What are the titles of some Caldecott Award-winning books readers might recognize?
NR: This is Not My Hat by Jon Clawson (2013’s winner). The previous year was A Ball for Daisy, by Chris Raschka (2012’s winner).
FF: What year are the books from?
NR: The year before the conference.
FF: How will the library’s mock Caldecott work?
NR: I looked at the top bestselling children’s books from the past year, other mock Caldecott lists, read lots of blogs, and came up with 26 books I think might have a chance at the Caldecott. St. Philips students will read each book I put on the library’s list, and then critique it using the same standards of the committee. And I have a disclaimer: the committee might choose a book I did not suggest, introduce to the school, or evaluate.
FF: How did you decide to have a mock Caldecott?
NR: I wanted to do it last year, but was not prepared, so I made sure to put it on my calendar to do this year. I think it’s a great way for students to learn how illustrations affect a story.
FF: What books have been nominated for the the Caldecott this year?
NR: Our list of 26 books is on the library blog, falconsfables.org, you can find it here
FF: Who will be voting in the mock Caldecott?
NR: Kinder through 5th grade.
FF: When will we find out which book won the Caldecott?
NR: We are going to announce the St. Philip’s winner on January 28th over morning announcements. The actual Caldecott winner will be announced on January 27th.
FF: What book is farthest ahead in the St. Philip’s polls?
NR: Nothing has been tallied yet.
FF: What book do you think will win?
NR [laughs]: They’re all really good, and I’m just glad I don’t have to choose.
FF: Any final comments?
NR: The Caldecott-winning book is not necessarily the book with the prettiest pictures, it’s the book with the pictures that best tell the story.