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LARC Mocks: 2026 Picture Books

Working list of starred reviews to be considered for the Mock Caldecott and Newbery Award

2026 Picture Bookx

Barnett, Mac. Rumpelstiltskin. PW 11/10/25

Barr, Stephen.  If This Were the World.  K 11/1/25, PW 11/10/25

Cooper, Elisha.  The Rare Bird.  K 10/1/25

Fogliano, Julie. Because of a Shoe. PW 11/3/2025

Gutta, Razeena Omar, Zamzam for Everyone: Sharnig Water at Hajj.  K 10/15/25

Henkes, Kevin. Is It Spring? PW 11/17/2025

Humphrey, Anna.  At the Rescue Cat Cafe.  K 10/15/25.

Iceberg, Karina. A Good Hide. PW 10/27/25

Karas, G. Brian. Hummingbird's Big Trip. PW 11/17/2025

Makhijani, Pooja. Bread Is Love. PW 11/17/2025

Marcero, Deborah.  The Great Escape. K 11/1/25

Phelan, Matt.  Bartleby.  BL 11/25

Quigley, Dawn. Aaniin: I See Your Light. PW 11/10/25

Smith, Cynthia Leitich. Here Come the Aunties! PW 11/24/25

Sterer, Gideon. The Dream. PW 11/3/2025

Theule, Larissa. The Sweater. PW 11/17/2025

Thurman, Adrienne. No Way, Wash Day. PW 11/17/2025

Wenxuan, Cao. Yulu's Linen. PW 11/3/2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caldecott Criteria

  1. In identifying a “distinguished American picture book for children,” defined as illustration, committee members need to consider:
    1. Excellence of execution in the artistic technique employed;
    2. Excellence of pictorial interpretation of story, theme, or concept;
    3. Appropriateness of style of illustration to the story, theme or concept;
    4. Delineation of plot, theme, characters, setting, mood or information through the pictures;
    5. Excellence of presentation in recognition of a child audience.
  2. The only limitation to graphic form is that the form must be one which may be used in a picture book. The book must be a self-contained entity, not dependent on other media (i.e., sound, film or computer program) for its enjoyment.
  3. Each book is to be considered as a picture book. The committee is to make its decision primarily on the illustration, but other components of a book are to be considered especially when they make a book less effective as a children’s picture book. Such other components might include the written text, the overall design of the book, etc.

Note: The committee should keep in mind that the award is for distinguished illustrations in a picture book and for excellence of pictorial presentation for children. The award is not for didactic intent or for popularity.