We’ve counted all the votes for our 2021 Mock Caldecott winner. The Barrington Area Library’s favorite picture book of 2021 is…

Mel Fellby Corey R. Tabor

This cute little bird won our hearts with his steadfast commitment to flight (despite a loooooong fall from his nest). The book itself is beautifully designed, with cheerful artwork and a dynamic whole-book flip that makes this read-aloud (and Mel’s eventual success) so surprising and joyful. Watch MaryJo’s booktalk ofMel Fellhere.

Thank you to everyone who read our nominees and voted! We will all find out the real Caldecott Medal winner on Monday, January 24. (You can even watch the American Library Association’saward announcements live starting at 8 AM.) 

Our nominees were:

Zonia's Rain Forest by Juana Martinez-Neal
Strollercoaster by Matt Ringler, art by Raúl the Third and Elaine Bay
Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor
Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrations by Floyd Cooper
Wishes by by Mu̕ọ̕n Thị Văn, illustrations by Victo Ngai

Find out more about ourMock Caldecott here.

Youth Services Librarian Allison 

Here are the final two contenders for our Mock Caldecott community vote. Watch our videos, read the books, and vote for your favorite picture book published in 2021!

Find all of our Mock Caldecott videos on our YouTube playlist.

You can host your own Mock Caldecott with friends, families, or classmates, in-person or online. Start by checking out one of ournew kits, complete with five outstanding books of 2021, chosen by your librarian friends, along with guides to help you make your discussion a success. Drop off a ballot, also included in the kits, to participate in the big community vote by January 19. 

Zonia's Rain Forest by Juana Martinez-Neal
Strollercoaster by Matt Ringler, art by Raúl the Third and Elaine Bay
Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor
Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrations by Floyd Cooper
Wishes by by Mu̕ọ̕n Thị Văn, illustrations by Victo Ngai

Find out more about ourMock Caldecott here.

Youth Services Librarian Allison 

Are you looking for some sweet tunes that'll match your little one's independent spirit? Have you memorized every Disney soundtrack? Can you recite the lyrics to every Wiggles album ever? Looking for something a little different? Join the kindie rock revolution!

Kindie ("kid" + "indie") music is a relatively new genre of children's music in which artists approach child-friendly themes with an earnest, singer-songwriter mindset.

Here are 6 great albums to get started.

STEVENSTEVEN
Foreverywhere

Former Blue's Clues host and children's media superstar Steve Burns teams up with Flaming Lips multi-instrumentalist Steven Drozd to produce a sprawling, ambitious album that's as laugh-out-loud funny as it is radically sincere. Burns accompanies the listener through a bizarre world occupied by unicorns ("The Unicorn and Princess Rainbow"), giants ("If You're Ginormous and You Know It"), clever ocean critters ("Mimic Octopus"), and more. Sometimes songs are instructional, like "A Fact Is a Gift You Give Your Brain," whereas others are dedicated to exploring feelings of joy, sadness, love, disappointment, and determination ("The Happy Then Sad Then Triumphant Spider," "The Lonely Unicorn Is Never Giving Up!"). Burns knows that kids are just as capable of genuine insight as they are total absurdity, and he manages to walk the line between these two extremes without sacrificing musical quality. The album never wears out its welcome, as Burns and Drozd make every song dynamic and unique, from the garage rock-tinged "Space Rock Rock" to the narrated soundscape of the titular closing track. Foreverywhere is a treat for adults and kids alike, and is sure to enjoy regular rotation around the house.

Caspar Babypants
Hot Dog!

Erstwhile singer of the Presidents of the United States of America ("Lump," "Peaches") Chris Ballew offers up 19 cozy, kid-friendly tracks with an old school rock-and-roll sensibility. Ballew-as-Babypants is so prolific that I could have filled this post with nothing but his music and that would still be a decent introduction at best... so if he's a hit with your family, you're in luck! Hot Dog! begins with the doo-wop-influenced "Sugar Ant," then transitions into rock-and-rollers like "Crazy Blue Beetle" and "Summer Baby (Let It Ride)," as well as softer tracks like "This Old Whale" and "Eleanor the Elegant Elephant." Songs like "Bunny Brown" and "I Don't Mind" would feel perfectly at home in the repertoire of Buddy Holly and the Crickets. Babypants's world is gentle, absent of the world-shaking revelations of Foreverywhere -- but no less empowering. And for you Beatlemaniacs out there: he has released three albums of Beatles covers -- Baby Beatles!, Beatles Baby!, and Best Beatles! I'm particularly fond of his cover of "Here Comes the Sun," which enjoyed regular play in our program playlist.

Frances England
Blue Skies and Sunny Days

This gentle, 8-song adventure from kindie veteran Frances England is the perfect soundtrack to a lazy day filled with play, a road trip, or much-needed downtime after a long, stressful day. England immediately sets the tone with the aptly-titled "Carefree," capturing the feeling with verses about school's end, going to the movies, and most importantly, spending time with the ones you love. Despite its title "Into the Wild" maintains a cozy, laid-back approach as England explores the difficult position of being bored and having too much energy. "Not Just My Sister" celebrates the titular sibling ("she's not just my sister, she's my best friend"). "Good Day" is a slice-of-life anthem punctuated with finger snaps and self-backing vocals. "If You Want to Sing Out" encourages little ones to forge their own paths, to express themselves however they're comfortable ("if you want to be me, be me/if you want to be you, be you"). "Mama Said" has the narrator find strength in their mother's advice. "Perfect Tuesday Afternoon" feels like a sonic sibling to "Carefree." Album closer "Watching You Grow" flips the perspective to the caretaker, as England celebrates the joy of watching her little one grow up ("I feel so proud it's hard to measure/A love so big, so deep forever/Watching you grow, watching you grow").

The Okee Dokee Brothers
Winterland

Time for some seasonal fun! Bluegrass musicians the Okee Dokee Brothers celebrate winter, from the first snowfall to the first signs of spring. The Brothers open the album with "Blankets of Snow," a joyous Appalachian-style number complete with hollers and shouts. "Ice Fishin' Shack" portrays the simple joy of spending time with a buddy. Silly banjo-driven tune "The Abominable Yeti" warns listeners about the mythical beast. "You You You," a potential bedtime favorite, thanks the listener for being themselves. The mostly-a cappella interlude "Slumberjack" gives the listener tips on how to fall asleep. The Brothers incorporate ukulele in the self-explanatory "Ukulele in a Snowstorm." "Howl" celebrates being "the wild ones," complete with wolfish howling -- a great song for getting out some excess energy! The appropriately-sleepy "Lazy Day" is accented by muffled brass and yawns. The energy picks up afterward with "North Country Dance Band," followed by the ode to nature "Great Grandmother Tree." Penultimate track "New Year" explores the gentle transition between the old and the new. The album closes with the upbeat "Signs of Spring," pointing out the little moments that make the incoming season so lovely, while acknowledging that, like the cycling seasons, "death is part of life." For fans of Mumford & Sons, the Lumineers, Fleet Foxes, or anyone looking for the perfect album to accompany a cold night in.

Lisa Loeb
Feel What U Feel

Lisa Loeb kicks off this sunny slab of pop rock with the infectious "Moon Star Pie (It's Gonna Be Alright)," assuaging childhood anxieties with reassurances and advice ("twist yourself up like a cinnamon pretzel, connect the dots with the spots of your freckles"). "Say Hello," which encourages listeners to overcome that-all-too-awkward feeling when one meets someone new, is bolstered by bombastic orchestral flourishes. Craig Robinson (The Office, Brooklyn Nine-Nine) hops onto the title track, which finds him trading off kid-friendly raps about feelings and why it's okay to experience them:

"Feeling weird-o
Itchy beard-o
Something’s just not right
Rat race
Need space
Skin’s on too tight
Guess what? It’s okay!
Go on and feel what u feel today..."

The gentle chords of heartstring-tugger "I Was Here" are perfect accompaniment to the track's self-affirming lyrics. "You Can Count on Me" and "The Sky Is Always Blue" assure the listener that they are not alone and that things will work out in the end. "Wiggle" is an instructional dance number. Craig Robinson rejoins Loeb for "It's All Right to Cry," telling kids that, even if they're strange, feelings are real, and they change, and that's okay. Loeb rounds out the album with a lullaby version of "You Can Count on Me" -- another potential bedtime favorite.

Jack Forman
Hold the Phone

Recess Monkey alum Jack Forman opens this indie pop-influenced opus with "The Sun Comes Up Again," an ode to our favorite star and the things it does for us. Ska number "I Had to Pee (On a Ferris Wheel)" describes this exact nightmare scenario with side-splitting detail. Harry Potter fans will enjoy "Little Dobby Does It," a sonic biography of the hapless house elf. "The Cat Walk" paints a portrait of a particularly arrogant furry family friend, complete with meowed vocals. "Surprise Party" invites the listener to join a birthday party. "I Can't Believe I Ate the Whole Thing" finds the narrator lamenting his decision to eat an entire birthday cake, a sleeve of Girl Scout cookies, and other treats. Forman utilizes his upper register in "Tooth Fairy Works Nights," paying tribute to that unsung provider of small bills. The chaotic "Assembly Line" describes all the little things that have to happen just to get a little one to school. If you're looking for something on the silly side, be sure to check out Hold the Phone.

Looking for some personalized selections? Fill out this form and you’ll receive a customized list direct to your inbox!

  Youth Services Librarian Chris 

We are excited to share five fantastic picture books with you, available in our Mock Caldecott Kits! Here are three of the five contenders up for the prize of 2021's Favorite Picture Book by the Barrington Area Library community. 

 You can host your own Mock Caldecott with friends, families, or classmates, in-person or online. Start by checking out one of ournew kits, complete with five outstanding books of 2021, chosen by your librarian friends, along with guides to help you make your discussion a success. Drop off a ballot, also included in the kits, to participate in the big community vote by January 19. 

Zonia's Rain Forest by Juana Martinez-Neal
Strollercoaster by Matt Ringler, art by Raúl the Third and Elaine Bay
Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor
Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrations by Floyd Cooper
Wishes by by Mu̕ọ̕n Thị Văn, illustrations by Victo Ngai

Find out more about ourMock Caldecott here.

Youth Services Librarian Allison 

Thank you to everyone who has checked out a DIY Seek-and-Find Photography Kit, inspired by our Book of the Summer, Skunk and Badgerby Amy Timberlake. Here are some photos you all captured and shared. See if you can find Skunk, Badger, and one little chicken in each of these kid-created tableaus!

From Cooper:

From Duncan:

From Lyla:

From Molly and Maddy:

Find activity ideas, discussion questions, and booklists on ourwebpage all about Skunk and Badger. You can also earn the Book of the Summer badge in ourSummer Reading program!

Youth Services Librarian Allison 

Inspired by ourBook of the Summer,Skunk and Badger, we’ve created some special edition backpacks: Book of the Summer Kits! This is our DIY Seek-and-Find Photography Kit. Inside, you’ll find the tools to create your own image inspired by the art in books likeI SpyandFind Momo. 

Here’s a few I made around the Library. Can you find Skunk, Badger, and Chicken?

Try creating your own scene and hiding the skunk, badger, and chicken figurines. Send your photo toyouthservices@balibrary.org and we’ll share it here on the Blog!

Find activity ideas, discussion questions, and booklists on ourwebpage all about Skunk and Badger. You can also earn the Book of the Summer badge in ourSummer Reading program!

Youth Services Librarian Allison 

We’re excited to share our pick for a terrific summer read, for independent readers and family read-alouds:Skunk and Badgerby Amy Timberlake, illustrated by Jon Klassen. You can pick up one of our many copies at the Barrington Area Library, or order a copy to be delivered to one of ourfour sets of lockersaround the Library district. We’ve also got plenty of e-book and e-audio copies onLibby!

Find activity ideas, discussion questions, and booklists on ourwebpage all about Skunk and Badger. You can also earn the Book of the Summer badge in ourSummer Reading program!

Youth Services Librarian Allison 

Have you completely exhausted your Disney+ options? Watched Frozenand How To Train Your Dragonmore times than you can count? The Library is here to shake up your family movie nights! Consider one of these foreign films for something a little different.

	Kiki’s Delivery Service  Available on Blu-Ray and DVD A plucky young witch-in-training sets out to discover her talent in a new city, accompanied by a sarcastic kitty named Jiji. Japan’s Studio Ghibli films are always my first stop when families are looking for something different. Their gentle stories and sweet characters make them great for families with preschoolers, but they are visually and narratively interesting to keep older kids and adults enchanted, too. Plus the English dubbing is excellent - no subtitles required.
	The Secret of Kells  Available on Blu-Ray, DVD, and streaming through kanopy A boy learning the art of illumination (illustrating sacred texts) finds a mysterious child-like spirit in the forests surrounding the medieval monastery and a mystery involving an ancient book. I fell in love with the vibrant animation style, unusual setting, and stirring music in this Irish film.
	The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales Available on Blu-Ray, DVD, and streaming through hoopla A pig, rabbit, and duck take on the task of delivering a bitty baby to her home after Stork hurts his wing. A fox plots to raise stolen eggs into delicious chickens, with hilarious consequences. And all the barnyard animals, smashing a plastic Santa decoration, fear they’ve killed the real Father Christmas and decide they must take on the gift delivery themselves. Adapted from French comic books, these stories are delightful. The dialogue is smart and funny, and the artwork (especially the big googly eyes) works perfectly with the light and silly story lines.
	Marona’s Fantastic Tale Available on Blu-Ray or DVD The often tragic story of one sweet dog, shuffled between three different owners, who all abandon her for different reasons. Created in France, this film has much to offer, though probably only for families with older kids. (Content includes occasional crude language, scenes of smoking, and animal abuse/neglect.) The animation is gorgeous and strange, the English dubbing is fantastic, and the story is deeply affecting. Make sure you have the tissue box handy - you’re going to need every last one.
	Nocturna Available for streaming through hooplaand kanopy A boy who loves stargazing can’t sleep one night when he sees the stars are disappearing. In his search for answers, he discovers that there’s a secret world of whisperers, dream writers, dew sprinklers, and countless other jobs to make sure nights proceed as intended. This Spanish film offers a unique and charming story with unusual character design and animation (you’ll either love it or hate it!).

Did you know? The Barrington Area Library offers cardholders free streaming videos through ourhoopla andkanopy apps. Check them out!

Youth Services Librarian Allison 

We absolutely love to hear how families share reading. It’s such a fantastic bonding experience, not to mention modeling the importance of reading to children. But finding books that work for chapter-a-night read-alouds can be tricky. If the book’s too long, kids lose interest. Too mature, and the 4-year-old won’t “get it.” Too babyish, and the 8-year-old will roll his eyes. (Maybe the grown-up will, too!)  

Here’s a roundup of newer, fantastic read-aloud options, especially for families with different ages of children. These books all have short chapters, occasional illustrations, and gentle stories and themes that can be enjoyed by young children, older children, and perhaps even the adults reading aloud!

	The Very, Very Far North by Dan Bar-el Meet Duane the polar bear, who discovers many potential friendships in other arctic creatures up in the Very, Very Far North. These gentle stories may remind you of Winnie the Pooh. Perfect for reading aloud!
	Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott  When Jaxon is sent to spend the day with a mean old lady his mother calls Ma, he finds out she's not his grandmother--but she is a witch! She needs his help delivering baby dragons to a magical world where they'll be safe. A perfect fantasy adventure for young readers.
	Megabat by Anna Humphrey  A boy adjusting to his new house bonds with a cute little fruit bat (accidentally shipped from the Borneo rainforest) who talks and has a love of all things sweet. A very funny animal story, with a sequel!
	The Littlest Voyageurby Margi Preus A little red squirrel watches men rowing canoes, off to an unknown adventure, and longs to join them in their quest. Stowing away in the canoe, the squirrel finds his true identity - Jean Pierre Petit Le Rouge - and calling as a voyageur. A charming historical fiction novel for young readers and families.
	Good Dog, McTavish by Meg Rosoff When Ma Peachey declares a strike, the rest of the family finds themselves abandoned to chaos: no one cooks dinner, no one picks up the dirty laundry, the children are always late for school, and there is a good deal of squabbling and squalor. Enter McTavish, a rescue dog who, true to his mission, is ready to teach this family some new tricks. A witty tale for family sharing.

Sign up for our new e-newsletters to discover the latest and greatest books for kids, delivered straight to your inbox every month!

Youth Services Librarian Allison 

Looking for some read-alouds that will keep the whole family engaged? We have just the right mix of titles to share with everyone a chapter...or two...or three at a time! All titles are available digitally on Overdrive.

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Streetby Karina Yan Glaser 

The Vanderbeekers love living in their brownstone on 141st Street, but their grumpy landlord doesn’t want to renew their lease. The Vanderbeeker kids take it upon themselves to come up with a plan and save their family’s home! Your family will love this heartwarming story that has a classic feel with a contemporary setting. Don’t miss out on the sequels! 

The Doughnut Fixby Jessie Janowitz

Tristan and his family live in an apartment in New York City and when his parents break it to him that they will be moving to rural Petersville, New York he is sure this will be nothing but a disaster. However, everything can’t be that terrible if there are chocolate cream doughnuts -- too bad the general store doesn't make them anymore. Join Tristan as he navigates his way through a new town and figures out just how to bring life-changing chocolate cream doughnuts back to Petersville.

Clementineby Sara Pennypacker

Meet Clementine, a fiesty girl who is pretty sure that if she has to be named after a fruit then her younger brother should have to be named after a vegetable. The first in a series that combines humor and charm, your family will delight in Clementine’s adventures.

Good Dog, McTavishby Meg Rosoff

When Mom goes on strike, suddenly the Peachey family and household is a disaster. Enter McTavish: a rescue dog with enough doggy-knowhow to get this family back on track. A funny little story about doing your fair share.

Rump: The Fairly True Tale of Rumpelstiltskinby Liesl Shurtliff

When your name is your destiny and your name is Rump, it really doesn’t seem like you’ll amount to much. But when a magic spinning wheel appears, Rump thinks his luck may be changing. You may think you know the story of Rumplestiltskin, but you have no idea. Your family will be absolutely enchanted with the magic and humor of Rump.

Looking for some personalized selections? Fill out this form and you’ll receive a customized list direct to your inbox!

  Youth Services Librarian Demitra