I’m new to the Calling Caldecott team, so I figured I’d better learn as much as I could about how The Committee evaluates picture books (having never served on the committee). In looking back at old posts, I found blog co-founder Robin Smith — not surprisingly — contributed lots of helpful, clear, and funny posts about that very topic (and a host of others). Robin died in 2017, but she’s forever the heart and soul of Calling Caldecott.

The title of this post refers to what former Calling Caldecott co-author, Jules Danielson, called her mantra: “WWRD? or, What Would Robin Do? — often guides me. She was passionate about picture books and wrote so fluidly and coherently about what makes a good one good. I was always watching and learning from Robin.”

Here are some of Robin’s posts from earlier years that I found particularly instructive: 

• How to read a picture book, the Caldecott edition: A classic that demystifies the process. 
• Things that make me cry real tears: A follow-up of sorts (even if it was published a year earlier) to “How to read a picture book,” but with gloves off: e.g., “Cheap crap paper.”  
• Three posts that investigate the perennial question of what a picture book is...and isn’t: Early readers vs. Picture book, Picture book or Illustrated book?, Picture books and books with graphic elements.
• Separate Is Never Equal (or how to find out more about a book): Do your research. 
• Can We Get These Folks a Sticker, Please?: A conversation between two titans in the field (Robin and K. T. Horning). 
• Who’s on the Committee, or, “The Barry Moser Question”: Food for thought. And, Barry, tell us what you really think! 

If you, like me, are new to this game, I highly recommend reading (and rereading) these posts. Seasoned Committee members, do you have any tips or insights to add?