Mock Caldecott Contest


Sonoma County Library hosts a Mock Caldecott contest each January to give picture book lovers in our community the chance to participate in the fun of voting for their favorite illustrated books.

Mock Caldecott

Participate in Beanstack      Vote

What is the Caldecott Medal?

The real Caldecott Medal is one of the most prestigious awards in children's literature. Every year, children’s book illustrators hold their breath as the Caldecott committee members read, examine, and critique the best illustrated children’s books of the year to finally determine which one deserves the highly-regarded award. Check this list for some of the fabulous books that have won this award in the past.

How Does It Work?

For the 2024 contest, people can come into their nearest branch to read the contenders or enjoy the books from home. All nominated books will be available online through live storytime readings by our wonderful children’s librarians. Participate in the Mock Caldecott Challenge on Beanstack to view these readings and you’ll get a special digital badge for completing the challenge! You can vote for your favorites online or at your local branch from December 1st - January 13th. Winners will be announced January 24th.


Current Nominees


 

The Teeny-Weeny Unicorn

The Teeny-Weeny Unicorn
by Shawn Harris

Simone

Simone
by Viet Thanh Nguyen

Ursula Upside Down

Ursula Upside Down
by Corey R Tabor

Home in a Lunchbox

Home in a Lunchbox
by Cherry Mo

 

Angela's Glacier

Angela's Glacier
by Jordan Scott

The Mochi Makers

The Mochi Makers
by Sharon Fujimoto-Johnson

Aloha Everything

Aloha Everything
by Kaylin Melia George

More Dung!

More Dung!
by Frank Weber


Past Winners


2023 Winner


Oona in the Arctic

Oona in the Arctic

Written
by Kelly DiPucchio
Illustrated
by Raissa Figueroa

2023 Honor Books


My Powerful Hair

My Powerful Hair

Written
by Carole Lindstrom
Illustrated
by Steph Littlebird

La Guitarrista

La Guitarrista

Written
by Lucky Diaz
Illustrated
by Micah Player

Real to Me

Real to Me

Written
by Minh Lê
Illustrated
by Raissa Figueroa


2022 Winner


Love in the Library

Love in the Library

Written
by Maggie Tokuda-Hall
Illustrated
by Yas Imamura

2022 Honor Books


Berry Song

Berry Song

Written and Illustrated
by Michaela Goade

Kunoichi Bunny

Kunoichi Bunny

Written
by Sara Cassidy
Illustrated
by Brayden Sato

Black Girl Rising

Black Girl Rising

Written
by Brynne Barnes
Illustrated
by Tatyana Fazlalizadeh


2021 Winner


Lucero

Lucero

written and illustrated
by Yuyi Morales

2021 Honor Books


Outside, Inside

Outside, Inside

written and illustrated
by LeUyen Pham

My First Day

My First Day

written and illustrated
by Phùng Nguyên Quang
and Huỳnh Kim Liên

Watercress

Watercress

written by Andrea Wang;
illustrated by Jason Chin


2020 Winner


We are the Water Protectors

We are Water Protectors

Written by Carole Lindstrom
Illustrated by Michaela Goade

2020 Honor Book


Lift

Lift

Written by Minh Lê
Illustrated by Dan Santat

 

 


2019 Winner


There Are No Bears in this Bakery

There Are No Bears in this Bakery

by Julia Sarcone-Roach

2019 Honor Books


A Stone Sat Still

A Stone Sat Still

by Brendan Wenzel

Lubna and Pebble

Lubna and Pebble

Written by Endy Meddour
Illustrated by Daniel Egnéus


2018 Winner


The Sequoia Lives On

The Sequoia Lives On

Written by Joanna Cooke
Illustrated by Fiona Hsieh

2018 Honor Books


Dreamers

Dreamers

by Yuyi Morales

Julian is a Mermaid

Julian is a Mermaid

by Jessica Love

Ocean Meets Sky

Ocean Meets Sky

by The Fan Brothers


2017 Winner


Whose Moon is That?
 

Whose Moon is That?

by Kim Krans

2017 Honor Books


Blue Ethel

Blue Ethel

by Jennifer Black Reinhardt

Windows

Windows

Written by Julia Denos
Illustrated by E.B. Goodale


2016 Winner


The Night Gardener

The Night Gardener

Written by Terry Fan
Illustrated by Eric Fan

2016 Honor Books


They All Saw A Cat

They All Saw A Cat

by B. Wenzel

Are We There Yet?

Are We There Yet?

by D. Santat

Maybe Something Beautiful

Maybe Something Beautiful

Written by F. Campoy & T. Howell
Illustrated by R.Lopez


2015 Winner


If You Plant A Seed

If You Plant A Seed
by Kadir Nelson

2015 Honor Books


The Bear Ate Your Sandwich

The Bear Ate Your Sandwich
by Julia Sarcone-Roach

Toys Meet Snow

Toys Meet Snow
Written by Emily Jenkins
Illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky

Winnie: The True Story

Winnie:
The True Story
of the Bear who
Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh

Written by Sally M. Walker
Illustrated by Jonathan D. Voss