PORT HADLOCK — A small sample of the target audience has decided which children’s picture books they like best.
Then came the American Library Association’s turn.
At 3:45 p.m. Thursday, the public can compare choices for the Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished picture book for children at the Jefferson County Library, 620 Cedar Ave., during a party to celebrate both sets of winners.
On Monday, the American Library Association, or ALA, announced the winner of the 2016 Caldecott Medal: Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear, illustrated by Sophie Blackall and written by Lindsay Mattick. Several honor books were also named.
Young readers
The medal winner according to some 15 young readers who participated in a Jefferson County Library program will be announced Thursday.
“People will be able to compare if they are close to the ones the ALA picked or if they are totally different,” said Meredith Wagner, director of the library.
From November through early January, Jefferson County Library held mock Caldecott trials for children from ages 6 to 12, said Marsha Ashenfelter, children’s librarian, who worked with them along with illustrator and author Faith Pray of Port Townsend.
The two, starting in November, selected 32 books, which are on display at the library.
At Thursday afternoon programs for children, the youngsters made their selections and presented their arguments for their favorite books, Ashenfelter said.
The process developed critical thinking skills, Wagner said.
“The children presented their books and advocated for their books,” she said. “Their observations were so great.”
The library also will conduct a people’s choice vote on the 32 books librarians selected over the next couple of weeks, Ashenfelter said.
The winner of that contest will be announced on the library’s website at www.jclibrary.info/ and its Facebook page, Ashenfelter said.
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Executive Editor Leah Leach can be reached at 360-417-3530 or at lleach@peninsuladailynews.com.
