The American Library Association awards the Caldecott Medal to the artist of "the most distinguished American picture book for children." This year, I read 9 picture books with Caldecott buzz to kindergartners and first graders, and we narrowed the list down to 2 finalists.
With 56% of the votes, the Garden City Mock Caldecott winner is This Book is Dangerous, illustrated and written by Ben Clanton.
Students shared their reasons for their choice, and explanations included:
- It was funny.
- I liked when the jellyfish got scared.
- Because it goes BOOM!
- I liked when the jellyfish got chased by the snakes.
- Because of all the monsters.
- I like when the jellyfish was eaten by the whale.
- It is cool.
- I liked when the shark got spicy and his eyes turned fire.
- I liked when the shark was red.
- He got away because of the hot sauce.
- The jellyfish pops out of the shark's mouth.
- I liked when they ate waffles at the end.
- There was a narwhal in it.
Here are some of their illustration interpretations:
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