Every year, the American Library Association (ALA) announces the winner(s) of the Caldecott Award, honoring the most distinguished American picture book for children. This is the only prize for illustration and the winner could be any picture book published in the previous year.
 
Council Rock Primary School has its own award: The Council Rock-decott! Instead of 15 librarians choosing for the ALA, we have all of our Council Rock students vote for their favorite of 10 current picture books. We read each of the nominees in library class and kids cast their vote just in time for the real Caldecott announcement (it’s always a complete surprise if there is some overlap, since the ALA provides no nominees — the book could be any of thousands published in a given year). Children create their own Council Rock-decott medals to keep and find out the winners of both contests the following cycle.
 
This year, the Caldecott winner is one from our Council Rock-decott group, “Fireworks,” illustrated by Cátia Chien and written by Matthew Burgess. The Council Rock-decott winner is “Don't Trust Fish” illustrated by Dan Santat and written by Neil Sharpson. 
 
This school-wide event is a great way to show kids brand new books, have great discussions, and get them thinking critically, particularly about the illustrations.
 
Congratulations to all the winners, and thanks to our nearly 700 judges!