WOW Reads: Bonus - MSRAP Reads for Mock Caldecott

Join the Worlds of Words Center Middle School Reading Ambassadors (MSRAP) as we recap our experience around predicting the 2025 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 ALSC to include at least one youth member on the selection committee. Maybe someone without so much homework.

Book Mentions:
Big illustrated by Vashti Harrison
Home In a Lunchbox illustrated by Cherry Mo
The Last House Before Falling Into the Sea illustrated by Hanna Cha
The Last Zoo Keeper illustrated by Aaron Becker
My Daddy Is a Cowboy illustrated by C.G. Esperanza
Touch the Sky illustrated by Chris Park
Two Together illustrated by Brendan Wenzel
The Yellow Bus illustrated by Loren Long

This podcast was recorded in a private room of the Worlds of Words Center on three phones. We didn't need an "and, uhm!"

Producer/Host: Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Center Associate Director
Special Guest: Alexis Mendoza, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A First-year Student
Audio Engineer: Liam Arias, Worlds of Words Student Employee and U of A Radio, TV, Film Major

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

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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!