Who says picture books are just for little kids? Not me.

Today I am on my way to the ALA Midwinter conference to attend the ALA Youth Media Awards on Monday.

Yesterday my 8th graders delved into the world of examining and evaluating the merit of picture book illustration in anticipation of the Caldecott Award to being announced (along with the Newbery, Printz, Coretta Scott King et al.). While I am gone they are going to be writing essays the argue why their favorite should win the Caldecott Award.

I'm not gonna lie: as they were looking through the pile of picture books today, I may have had a couple 8th graders today help enlighten me about a few picture books that  I was totally confused about (Quest and Sam and Dave Dig a Hole). I love when students teach the teacher.


Clockwise starting from the top left: Seth is dubious about Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, Zane and Austin prefer to make up their own stories that go with the illustrations, Lola and Haley admire The Noisy Paint Box, and Griffin takes careful notes about the artwork in Quest)