Mock Caldecott Winner - 2026

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: 

Which One Does(n't) Belong?

Part of our grade 1 focus in library is sorting and categories. We read Which One Doesn't Belong? by Christopher Danielson, which is a very cool book that asks which of four images doesn't belong with the other three ... and every answer is correct so long as you have a reason! 

NOTE: In looking for the cover image, I discovered that there is an entire website with more examples! Will be adding that to my resources for next year ... 

Then the kids chose Ouisi cards and had to find another student whose card matched theirs in some way. Here is Mrs. Monte's class in action:

Mock Caldecott Winner 2025: The Squish!

The American Library Association awards the Caldecott Medal to the artist of "the most distinguished American picture book for children." This year, I read 8 picture books with Caldecott buzz to kindergartners and first-graders, and we narrowed the list down to 2 finalists. 

With nearly 60% of the vote, the Garden City Mock Caldecott winner is The Squish, illustrated and written by Breanna Carzoo. 

Students shared their reasons for their choice, and explanations included: 

• It was cute. 
  
  
• He kept getting squished but getting back up. 
  
  
• Because the sand castle’s arms moved. 
  
  
• It was funny. 
  
  
• The sand castle kept falling down. 
  
  
• He broke and then he built himself again. 
  
  
• I liked the giant castle. It is about bringing yourself up.
  
  

Here are some of their illustration interpretations:

There Are Wockets in Grade 1 Pockets!

I like to have the kids create pages for our own version of mentor texts; they copy the structure of the model and add original words and illustrations. The latest edition of Dr. Seuss' There's a Wocket in My Pocket (Continued) by first graders has been added to our collection! You can preview below: