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 

You've checked out Mock Caldecott Kits, read the books, hosted discussions, and sent us your ballots in our first-ever community-wide Mock Caldecott Medal Vote. Five books were nominated, but only one will be crowned the Barrington Area Library's favorite picture book of 2020!

Here's a reminder of the nominees: 

All Because You Matter written by Tami Charles, illustrated by Bryan Collier

Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera by Candace Fleming & Eric Rohmann

My Best Friendby Julie Fogliano & Jillian Tamaki

The Cat Man of Aleppo by Irene Latham and Karim Shamsi-Basha, illustrated by Yuko Shimizu

We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Michaela Goade 

And finally, we are pleased to share that the winner of the 2020 Barrington Area Library Mock Caldecott Medal is: 

We Are Water Protectors 

by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Michaela Goade 

What a fantastic book! Great reading and voting, everyone. Thank you to all who participated! 

Find out which book will win the real Caldecott Medal, awarded by the American Library Association, on Monday. You can even watch the Youth Media Awards announcements live at 8 AM (CST) - it's like the Oscars, but for people who love #KidsLit! (And don't mind waking up early!)

Find out more about ourMock Caldecott here.

Youth Services Librarian Allison 

 Have you heard of Mock Caldecotts? Across the country, fans of picture books meet in groups to vote for their favorite illustrated books, inspired by the official committee of librarians, educators, and experts who award the real Caldecott Medal to one lucky book each year.

Now the Barrington Area Library is hosting a community-wide Mock Caldecott vote. 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 2020, 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 18.

Here are the five picture books, selected by your Youth Services Librarians. Which book will win our Mock Caldecott Medal? You decide! 

All Because You Matter written by Tami Charles, illustrated by Bryan Collier

Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera by Candace Fleming & Eric Rohmann

My Best Friendby Julie Fogliano & Jillian Tamaki

The Cat Man of Aleppo by Irene Latham and Karim Shamsi-Basha, illustrated by Yuko Shimizu

We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Michaela Goade 

Find out more about ourMock Caldecott here.

Youth Services Librarian Allison