Look, I don’t know what books are going to win what, but it is one of my favorite days in children’s literature because it feels so celebratory and hopeful. Last year, my local critique group met in person to watch the awards together, and we’re doing that again this year, and no matter who wins, I am excited to be in community with my fellow writers and illustrators and to celebrate children’s books together. I’ll probably cry.
Caldecott Predictions
I hope Broken by X. Fang wins because it is brilliant storytelling beautifully rendered; it is so good with incredible pacing, layout, design, color— everything! That hug crossing the gutter for a full spread resolution and love, brilliant.
But I also want Fireworks by Matthew Burgess and Catia Chien to win, but I also would not be surprised if Popo the Xolo by Paloma Angelina Lopez and Abraham Matias wins it all— the cut paper, the lighting and photography, BEAUTIFUL.
The History of We is so painterly and beautiful, and I do not know how you judge all these books because they are all unique and beautifully made. Our Lake is another beautifully rendered book, and somehow Angie Kang took a topic that could feel heavy and instead it feels so much more thoughtful and sweet, a little hopeful, I love what she does with the color yellow in Our Lake.
Is anyone making books as perfect for their young audience as Jashar Awan? He is crushing it. His Every Monday Mabel is delightful, I would not be surprised if it showed up on the Seuss Geisel list, too.
All I know is that we are so lucky to have such beautiful books being made. Also I realize I did not include the Kirkus Prize Winner in this list…. so I’m sure there will be surprises on Monday!
My wildcard picks: Peter McCarty’s The Five Wolves feels more like an art book than a graphic novel to me and the texture and softness in his illustrations is always so lovely, and Eleanor Davis’ spot illustrations in Make a Pretty Sound are so lively and beautiful. I’m a huge Eleanor Davis fan.
Newbery predictions
My Newbery prediction list feels a little like a list of the middle grade novels I read this year, plus one picture book, and I know I did not read enough here to really make any solid guesses. But I did read some good ones!
I would like all the titles here to get some recognition, and I’d be very surprised but delighted if Don’t Trust Fish showed up here! I definitely haven’t read enough to be accurate, but just for fun, my prediction: The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest to win it all!
There are some authors I love who had books out this year that I have not read yet, so this means that I will have some new library holds after Monday morning.
Sibert Medal
The Sibert Medal goes to excellent informational fiction, and that’s probably gonna by Candace Fleming’s YA Death in the Jungle or Nicholas Day’s A World Without Summer. Both authors have won the Sibert before with books that I love, and they’re incredible non-fiction authors.
And again, Don’t Trust Fish by Neil Sharpton and Dan Santat shows up here because although it isn’t strict non-fiction, it is informational!
And two Juana Martinez-Neal illustrated books, Paka Paka con la Paka and A Gift of Dust, both of these could be on the Caldecott list, too!
More books!
Let’s be Bees and The Gathering Table could be on the Caldecott list, too, but I thought more specifically Seuss Geisel for Let’s Be Bees and The Gathering Table for the Coretta Scott King award.
I’m excited for Monday, it’ll be a bright spot in what has been a difficult January. Grateful for all the ways that stories bring us together, and for the children’s lit community of which I’m very biased, but I think it’s the best community, and I’m excited to be able to celebrate all the books being made for children on Monday!