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 

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 

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.

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Youth Services Librarian Allison 

Some kids are back to school, but technically summer’s not over yet! Enjoy this summery title about a lovable wannabe-farmgirl. Great for a family read-aloud, or an independent read for kids in grades 2-4. 

Tip: subscribe to ourYouth Services YouTube channel for more videos of book recommendations, story times, and activity how-tos.

Youth Services Librarian Allison