Every January feels a bit like awards season in the book world! As the announcement of the Caldecott Medal approaches (this year on January 26), I find myself just as excited as movie fans waiting for the Oscars! There’s something so exciting about anticipating which children’s books will be crowned most distinguished of the past year!
One of my favourite traditions leading up to the announcement is the Mock Caldecott. It’s an experience where readers—often students, librarians, and teachers—read, revisit, and talk about short list of picture books before voting for the one they believe most deserves the honour.
I was reminded of the magic of Mock Caldecott activites this week after connecting with a dear teacher friend and fellow book lover in Vancouver, Carrie Gelson, whose enthusiasm for Mock Caldecott viewing and voting activities in her classroom inspired me to create my own list. While many Mock Caldecott lists include dozens of titles, I have tried to narrow it down to my top 10.
So here it is—my top 10 (plus 1) picture books of 2026 that I believe are strong Caldecott contenders. These are books whose illustrations beg to be lingered over, talked about, and shared with students again and again.
Fireworks – Matthew Burgess, Illustrated by Catia Chien
This book about fireworks on a summer day captures the energy and excitement of a city neighbourhood waiting for the big show. The fireworks literally explode across the pages in this book! I love the way the artwork helps to tell the story, using movement and colour to convey the excitement of the fireworks — something I’m sure the Caldecott judges will be looking for! (Clarion Books, May, 2025)
Whales In The City – Nancy F. Castaldo, Illustrated by Chuck Groenink
This nonfiction picture book tells the true story of whales returning to New York Harbor after decades of pollution drove them away. What really stands out to me is how the illustrations handle scale and mood, helping readers understand both the damage humans caused and the hope that comes with change. SUCH a great book! (Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), March 18 2025)
Broken – Written and Illustrated by X. Fang
This story follows a child grappling with guilt after accidentally breaking a cherished object. So much is communicated visually in this one—quiet moments, heavy feelings, and emotional shifts are all shown through expression rather than words. Such a great book for making connections and talking about the uncomfortable feelings that come with guilt. (Tundra Books, October, 2025)
Aggie And The Ghost – Written and Illustrated by Matthew Forsyth
A delightful and surprising story about rules, sharing and an epic game of Tic Tak Toe all woven into a story of a lonely ghost who forms an unexpected friendship with a young girl. The illustrations are so good – simple graphic style and and limited colours but suites the story so well. (Simon & Schuster, August, 2025)
Moon Song – Written and Illustrated by Michaela Goade
A warm, comforting story about the feelings of winter from the indigenous Alaskan perspective. Absolutely beautiful book, story and artwork. The pages are painted in deep, lush blues, violets, pinks and tinges of peach tones – exquisit! (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, October, 2025)
Our Lake – Written and Illustrated by Angie Kang
A breathtaking and tender story of love and loss that follows two brothers as they take their first trip back to the lake without their father. The illustrations are magical and breathtaking and, while this book is sad, it is also hopeful and beautiful. But I do recommend Kleenex. (Kokila, March, 2025)
Tea Is Love – by Adib Khorram, Illustrated by Hanna Cha
Tea is a plant. Tea is a ceremony. But most of all, tea is love.
The illustrations do so much to add to the story. A beautiful, gentle book about tea that includes how tea is harvested, prepared, served, celebrated and consumed in different places around the world. Beautiful. I love tea and I love this book! (Dial Books, October, 2025)
Cat Nap – Written and Illustrated by Brian Lies
Wow! Such an amazingly illustrated book and so many details – I had Caldecott on my mind the first time I read it! A sleepy kitten’s afternoon nap transforms into an epic journey, as he chases a mouse through art, time, and history. Definitely a book you want to linger over! Includes back matter. (Greenwillow Books, September, 2025)
Big Enough – Written and Illustrated by Regina Link
Oh my goodness – this book took my breath away! A young boy is given the job of bringing the family ox home, but on his way, he is discouraged by various creatures telling him he’s not really big enough to do the job.But once he encounters the ox, (breathtaking moment!) he rises to the occasion one obstacle at a time and brings the ox home. The gorgeous illustrations are like old Asian prints and paintings – DEFINITELY a Caldecott contender! (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Apri 2, 2025)
Don’t Trust Fish – by Neil Sharpson, Illustrated by Dan Santat
Well… I admit I don’t really think that the illustrations in this book are Caldecott worthy – but the story iteself is SO good and SO unique – it might just win the Newberry! If you have not yet read it – it’s a MUST read! (Dial Books, April 8 2025)
The Polar Bear and a Ballerina – Written and Illustrated by Eric Velasquez
A STUNNING wordless picture book about a polar bear who travels through the city to see a ballet and return a red scarf to a ballerina. The oil painting artwork is beautiful – very “Van Allsburg-ish” and I found myself touching all the pictures! I read only four oil colors were used – hard to believe if that is true! Such a lovely story of the love of dance and an unlikely friendship. GORGEOUS! (Holiday House, October, 2025)
Thank you for stopping by. With the book awards and Caldecott announcement just around the corner, there may not be time to read every title on this list. But even choosing two or three of these amazing books to share, reread, and talk about with your students can make for a fun and meaningful mini Mock Caldecott. Let your students look closely, share their thinking, and cast a vote for their favourite! I can’t wait to see which book takes home the Caldecott medal this year!
Happy reading, everyone! 📚✨
Adrienne Gear - Reading Power Ltd. 