Caldecott buzz

There's starting to be some talk about who will win the Caldecott this year. (The Caldecott is like the Academy Award for Children's Book illustration, in case you didn't know.) Here's a good article about some supposed contenders. I knew most, but not all of these (I'm ashamed to say) so had to go look them up. I thought you might be in the same boat, so thought I'd share these quick images and links (all pulled from Amazon). I've also put a link to the illustrator's website or blog (except John J Muth, for whom I substituted a video, since he doesn't seem to have a site?).

**This is not an Official List - just speculation by people in the know.**

(Also, the pictures don't link (thank you Blogger), so you have to just use the text link - I know its confusing with the "Click to Look Inside!" on the picture - like I said, I pulled them straight off Amazon and didn't bother to crop that bit off.)

Pocketful of Posies: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes by Salley Mavor

Mama Miti, Donna Jo Napoli author, Kadir Nelson illustrator

Ubiquitous: Celebrating Nature's Survivors, Joyce Sidman author,

Beckie Prange illustrator

Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring,

Jan Greenberg & Sandra Jordan authors,

Brian Floca illustrator

Art & Max, by David Wiesner

(if he wins, it will be his FOURTH Caldecott)

A Sick Day for Amos McGee, Philip Christian Stead author,

Erin Stead illustrator

Here Comes the Garbage Barge, Jonah Winter author,

Red Nose Studio illustrator

Snook Alone, by Marilyn Nelson

City Dog, Country Frog, Mo Willems author,

John J Muth illustrator

Chalk, by Bill Thomson

13 Words, Lemony Snicket author, Maira Kalman illustrator

Hmmm. Well, I have my favorites, but I'm not telling. I actually haven't seen some of these up close and personal, so can't say too much.

I'm kind of surprised that this one hasn't been mentioned ~

The Quiet Book, Debra Underwood author, Renata Liwska illustrator

When this first came out I was so sure it had "big award" written all over it. It still may - we'll find out January 10th when the winners are announced!!