The San Jose Public Library staff held their 6th annual Mock Caldecott discussion on January 19, 2023, socially distanced via Zoom.
The Caldecott Award is awarded annually to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. Staff read a variety of pre-selected titles and discussed as a group which book or books could take home this year's award based on the award's criteria. After some thoughtful and lovely discussion, the SJPL staff voted for a winner and three honor titles.
If you are curious who will take home the Caldecott and other youth book awards this year, tune in to the Youth Media Awards announcement on Monday, January 30, 2023, at 6:00 AM PST.
SJPL Mock Caldecott 2023 Winner
Berry Song written and illustrated by Michaela Goade
On an island at the edge of a wide, wild sea, a girl and her grandmother gather gifts from the earth. Salmon from the stream, herring eggs from the ocean, and in the forest, a world of berries.
Salmonberry, Cloudberry, Blueberry, Nagoonberry.
Huckleberry, Snowberry, Strawberry, Crowberry.
Through the seasons, they sing to the land as the land sings to them. Brimming with joy and gratitude, in every step of their journey, they forge a deeper kinship with both the earth and the generations that came before, joining in the song that connects us all. Michaela Goade's luminous rendering of water and forest, berries and jams glows with her love of the land and offers an invitation to readers to deepen their own relationship with the earth.
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