After finding out I was appointed to the 2012 Randolph Caldecott Committee, I wanted to share the picture books I’d be receiving with the children I served at the Kettering-Moraine Branch Library (Dayton Metro Library system) in Kettering, Ohio. I wanted their invaluable opinions about the picture books that I’d be considering for the Caldecott medal. I came up with the idea to have two monthly programs, one for children from preschool age to kindergarten and one for children in grades 2-4. Of course, I abided by the committee’s charge to not share information that was confidential, but at the same time, when I shared a picture book that I knew was being discussed, it was with great anticipation of the children’s response to that picture book.
The first session began with information about who Randolph Caldecott was and about the Caldecott medal. Each week, as I shared the picture books with the children, I explained to them about end notes, the book jacket/cover, gutters, use of color/line/ shape, all the different elements that comprise a picture book, etc. As the programs continued, it was fun when the children would stop me as I read-aloud a picture book to them to have me show them the book’s cover underneath the jacket to see if it was different, they would comment about the shape of a book, or would notice the end papers had a design on them.
The programs also involved art projects, which weren’t always related to the art represented in a particular picture book that week, but it helped reinforce the idea that the picture books were created by an artist/illustrator. I was always quick to encourage the children that they’re already artists and that when they thought they had made a mistake, I reminded them that there was no such thing. It’s art!
The children would “vote” on their favorite picture books at the end of each session, which gave me my first clue with them what the favorites were. By the end of the two programs, the children truly felt that they had helped Miss Pat with picking a winner and I wanted to instill in them that they had been part of something important, which was truly the greatest benefit of this type of program.
I had a party for the children who participated in the programs after I had returned from my Caldecott experience in Dallas, Texas and I was finally able to share with them that “A Ball for Daisy” by Chris Raschka received the 75th Caldecott Medal and there were three books that received the Caldecott Honor: “Blackout” by John Rocco, “Me Jane” by Patrick McDonnell, and “Grandpa Green” by Lane Smith. The children who came to the parties got to choose 7-8 picture books to take home with them from my collection of 2012 picture books.
The two boys pictured are brothers who came to all of my programs. I gave them their own copy of “A Ball for Daisy” signed by Chris Raschka.
Patricia Clingman
ALSC School Age Programs and Services Committee
paclingman@aol.com