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Thursday, January 25, 2007

Caldecott Named

If you wish THE list go to http://www.ala.org and check out the awards list. But the following is my take on the process - -or at least as much as I can share.

Seattle was dark and gloomy -- but fun. Since I was on the Caldecott Committee we spent most of the day time sequestered in a room discussing books books and more books and discussing just what does "distinguished" mean?

Finally we emerged having named Flotsam by David Wiesner (making him a three time winner -- only other one to have earned that distinction is Marcia Brown). His response to the call was "No way, No Way!" Clarion was certainly hyping the book throughout the conference. Honor books emerged --
Gone Wild: An Endangered Animal Alphabet David McLimans -- it had been named one of the ten best illustrated books by NYTimes -- he did not get the committee call because he was outside shoveling snow (Madison, Wisconsin). Had to find out from his editor. In over 40 years of publishing this is Walker's first Caldecott/Newbery award - -they were dancing on the tables (figuratively at least). I loved this one.
And
Harriet Tubman as the Moses of her people by author Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrator Kadir Nelson. Nelson was very honored.


Evenings were another story -- preview of HarperCollins new books, Houghton Mifflin -- dinners and receptions; also Hyperion. It was at the Houghton Mifflin dinner that the new Gooney the Fabulous was announced! Scholastic announced a new innovative title by Brian Selznick - -wait until you see it. Random House held a birthday party for the first of the "Cat in the Hat" readers.

It all was great fun!

Looking forward to Washington DC.

Sharron

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