Last week, Allen-Stevenson students, K-3 took to the voting booths to cast their ballot for their favorite mock-Caldecott Book Award winner. Ms. Alegre, Lower Division Librarian, knows that our boys love books! With this in mind, she engaged students in a Mock-Caldecott Awards unit, which culminated in a book “election” complete with digital voting ballots, a private voting booth, and an “I Voted Today” sticker.
The boys’ results are in!
Out of the many titles students were introduced to during their classes, there were three which consistently captured their attention as the best books of the year. All three books will be available for purchase in the upcoming Allen-Stevenson Book Fair:
Mel Fell, by Corey R. Tabor:
Kindergarten Gold Medal, Grades 1-3 Silver Honor Medal
Boys delighted in this story of courage about a bird who dares to fly from the nest. She ends up falling, but her daring spirit and the compassion of her loved ones allow her, ultimately, to soar. Students enjoyed the interactive design of this book, which requires turning the book sideways and upside down so that the pages simulate both falling and flying. This book also received an official Caldecott Honor Medal from the American Library Association.
The Rock from the Sky, by Jon Klassen:
Grades 1-2 Gold Medal, Kindergarten and 3rd Grade Silver Honor Medal
This picture book is rare in that it is divided into chapters. Each chapter entertained the boys with delightfully dark humor about animals and meteors. Jon Klassen is also the author/illustrator of the beloved Caldecott winning title, This is Not My Hat.
Chez Bob, by Bob Shea:
3rd Grade Gold Medal, K-2 Silver Honor Medal
Students were falling out of their seats with laughter throughout this whimsical title about a sneaky alligator named Bob who creates a fancy birdseed restaurant on his nose in order to lure in his prey. When an entire bird neighborhood sprouts up around his restaurant and Bob inadvertently becomes a community leader, he begins to feel conflicted about his culinary scheme. The author Bob Shea will be zooming in to celebrate with students on March 3, where he will also lead them through a story-making workshop.
Enjoy the photos -- and to see the 2021 official Caldecott winners, please visit https://www.brilliant-books.net/2021-caldecott-medal-winner-and-honorees
