Join the Worlds of Words Center Reading Ambassadors (RAP) as we recap our experience around predicting the 2026 Randolph Caldecott Medal winner for picturebook illustration.

In this episode, we discuss...

Our understanding of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) Caldecott committee's criteria and process for selection.
How we used those understandings in determining our nomination and final voting.
Our selection for the winning and honor books.
How the experience informed our view of picturebooks.

We also would like to make a pitch to the Caldecott committee to include at least one youth member on the selection committee. We do understand it means reading 700 picturebooks.

Book Mentions:
Don’t Trust Fish, illustrated by Dan Santant
The History of We, illustrated by Nikkolas Smith
Every Monday Mabel, illustrated by Jashar Awan
Our Lake, illustrated by Angie Kang
Popo the Xolo, illustrated by Abraham Matias
Broken, illustrated by X. Fang

Special Guest: OIivia, Pine Reads Review Teen Intern

Additional Thanks: We appreciate the educators, artists and others in the community of picturebook lovers who attended the Worlds of Words’ 2026 Mock Caldecott event (all 40+ of you!) and helped us think more deeply about picturebook illustrations.

Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director
Literature Discussant: Kathy Short, Worlds of Words Director and U of A Regents Professor
Audio Engineer: Alexis Mendoza, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A First-year Student

For more information on the Worlds of Words Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP), visit wowlit.org.

Today’s podcast music is by Ievgen Poltavskyi.

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We Can Promote Global Literature Together!

The Worlds of Words Reading Ambassador program is completely free for participants who receive a book for themselves and a book to share with their school librarian, ELA/English teacher, or other school entity. If you would like to support this program, please make a gift on-line through the University of Arizona Foundation.

Thank you for listening and keep reading!

WOW Reads: Bonus - Our Mock Caldecott 2026 Prediction