We’re thrilled to bring back the popular Mock CaldeNott for the first Butler Book Banter of 2017, in which we get together just after the REAL Youth Media Awards to deliberate about terrific books that weren’t discussed in the Caldecott Committee, not because they aren’t worthy, but because they’re outside the scope of the real-life award. We’re talking about books published in other countries and/or illustrated by people who are not US citizens or residents. All the books on our list were published in 2016, though.

So, as soon as we’ve finished Monday-morning quarterbacking the actual award winner selections, let’s dig into something a little different! Join us here in the Butler Center from 5:30-7:30 (books and snacks out at 5:30, discussion from 6-7, voting from 7-7:30).

Special thanks to guest co-moderator Keary Bramwell, who spurred us to do this again and did yeoman’s work in helping develop the discussion list. See you on February first!

Are You an Echo? The Lost Poetry of Misuzu Kaneko by David Jacobson, illustrated by Toshikado Hajiri (Chin Music)

Armstrong: The Adventurous Journey of a Mouse to the Moon by Torben Kuhlmann (North-South)

Beach Baby by Laurie Elmquist, illus. by Elly McKay (Orca)

The Bus Ride by Marianne Dubuc (Kids Can)

A Child of Books by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston (Candlewick)

Circle by Jeannie Baker (Candlewick)

Gordon & Tapir by Sebastian Meschenmoser (North-South)

The Journey by Francesca Sanna (Flying Eye)

King Baby by Kate Beaton (Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine)

Look Up! by Jung Jin-Ho (Holiday)

Over the Ocean by Taro Gomi (Chronicle)

Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey by Margriet Ruurs, illus. by Nizar Badr (Orca)

When Green Becomes Tomatoes: Poems for All Seasons by Julie Fogliano, illus. by Julie Morstad (Roaring Brook/Neal Porter)