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K-State Today

December 2, 2015

Vote for the best picture book of 2015 at the Mock Caldecott

Submitted by Karin Westman

Daniel Miyares Float

What's the best picture book of 2015? You can help decide at this year's Mock Caldecott.

The event will begin at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Manhattan Public Library, 629 Poyntz Ave.

Sponsored by the Children's and Adolescent Literature Community, the English department's program in children's literature and the Manhattan Public Library, the Mock Caldecott includes a discussion of the most distinguished picture books of 2015, followed by a vote to determine this year's winner.

The American Library Association awards the Caldecott Medal to the most distinguished American picture book for children, as well as recognizing the runners-up. The medal is named for Randolph Caldecott, a 19th-century English illustrator.

"Now in its eighth year, the Mock Caldecott brings students, faculty and community members together to enjoy the best picture books published in the past year," said Karin Westman, head of the English department and faculty advisor for the Children's and Adolescent Literature Community."We then decide our own award-winning book and honor books."

Selected picture books will be available for review from 1:30-2:30 p.m. A brief presentation at 2:30 p.m. will describe the criteria for the award, followed by discussion and a vote to determine this year's winner.

Phil Nel, university distinguished professor of English and director of the Program in Children's Literature, values the opportunity to enjoy the art of the picture book.

"Spend a pleasant afternoon browsing the portable art gallery known as the picture book," Nel said. "It's a chance to see some of the year's best picture books published in the United States."

This year's contenders include Christopher Myers' "My Pen," Daniel Miyares' "Float," Mac Barnett's "Leo: A Ghost Story," and Carole Boston Weatherford's "Gordon Parks: How the Photographer Captured Black and White America."

"The Mock Caldecott is a great time for people at different stages in their education — undergrad and grad students as well as professors, adults long done with education, and children — to come together in a friendly debate over picture books that might otherwise be forgotten in the hustle and bustle of everyday life," said Rebecca Rowe, graduate student in English and co-president of the Children's and Adolescent Literature Community. "It’s fun, thought-provoking and engaging for everyone."

Results will be posted to the English department's Twitter feed.

For more information, contact chalc@k-state.edu or english@k-state.edu.