Second grade explores Caldecott contenders

Students welcomed guests from all over campus into their classrooms as they learned about the structure of picture books, developed independent thinking skills, and voted on their favorite illustrations.
By Sierra Smith, Communications Specialist

On Monday, January 30, the American Library Association announced its annual selection of top books, digital media, video, and audio books for children and young adults, including its choice for the Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children. While the ALA made its selection, second grade students spent the weeks leading up to the big reveal deliberating over their choices for the prestigious honor. 
 
Monday, January 9 through Friday, January 20, second graders were exposed to several of the year’s contenders for the distinguished award. Director Amani Reed, Head of Lower School Amy Woodson, and other administrators, faculty, and staff volunteered to read one of the books aloud. 
 
Students used the same criteria as the ALA judges to compare the books read and voted on which ones they liked best. The five main points of consideration were excellence of execution in the artistic technique employed; excellence of pictorial interpretation of story, theme, or concept; appropriateness of style of illustration; delineation of plot, theme, characters, setting, mood, or information through the pictures; and excellence of presentation in recognition of a child audience. 
 
“This deliberation process helps second graders understand the structure of picture books, think independently about what makes a picture book interesting, and practice giving their opinions with reasoning both verbally and through writing,” said Roca. 
 
The ALA named “Hot Dog” illustrated and written by Doug Salati as the 2023 Caldecott Medal Winner, many second grade students felt differently. Several students in Betsy Hoffman '83's class and Megan Peterson's class chose "Hot Dog" as their favorite, but below are the other top choices from each class: 

Betsy Hoffman's class liked: 
"Knight Owl" by Christopher Denise
"The Sun is Late and So is the Farmer" illustrated by Erin E. Stead
"Lizzy and the Cloud" by The Fan Brothers
"The Three Billy Goats Gruff" by Jørgen Moe and Peter Christen Asbjørnsen
"Cornbread and Poppy" by Matthew Cordell
"Blue" illustrated by Daniel Minter
"Big and Small and In Between" illustrated by Daniel Miyares

Megan Peterson's class liked:
"Knight Owl" by Christopher Denise
"The Universe in You" by Jason Chin
“Endlessly Ever After” by Laurel Snyder
"The Sun is Late and So is the Farmer" illustrated by Erin E. Stead
 
Nabilah Rahman’s class liked:
"Big and Small and In Between" illustrated by Daniel Miyares
“Endlessly Ever After” by Laurel Snyder
“The Blur” illustrated by Dan Santat
“Three Billy Goats Gruff” by Jørgen Moe and Peter Christen Asbjørnsen
“Somewhere in the Bayou” by Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey
 
Victoria Roca’s class liked: 
“Out of a Jar” by Deborah Marcero
"Knight Owl" by Christopher Denise
“Kick Push” by Frank Morrison
“Endlessly Ever After” by Laurel Snyder
“The Great Zapfino” illustrated by Marla Frazee
“The Sweetest Scoop” illustrated by Stacy Innerst
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