Eek! We're just a week away from the announcement of the 2016 ALA youth media awards, in Boston on Monday, January 11 at 8am. I've organized a couple of Mini-Mock Caldecotts at my house in the past, and they've been lots of fun--and work! This year, I'm thinking about doing something a little simpler, more of a Casual Caldecott. Instead of a committee meeting, it would be an open house--folks would be invited to drop by, read a handful of books, and cast their ballots (to be tabulated later). Also there would be cookies. Here are some of the books I'm considering:

• Ask Me by Bernard Waber, illustrated by Suzy Lee
• Drowned City by Don Brown
• Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle, illustrated by Rafael López
• Finding Winnie by Lindsay Mattick, illustrated by Sophie Blackall
• Float by Daniel Miyares
• Hiawatha and the Peacemaker by Robbie Robertson, illustrated by David Shannon
• Last Stop on Market Street by Matt De La Peña , illustrated by Christian Robinson
• Two Mice by Sergio Ruzzier
• Wait by Antoinette Portis
• Waiting by Kevin Henkes
• Wolfie the Bunny by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Zachariah OHora
• Yard Sale by Lauren Castillo

The final list would depend in part on what I already have and what's available at the library--with any luck, there will be at least some overlap with the real committee's choices. It makes Monday morning much more fun! Any interest?