![]() ![]() I would contend that what differentiates the two Robinson titles, and elevates Nina, is the purpose or reason behind the technique’s use to further the themes and story. Furthermore, it is not simply how Robinson executes his art but how this art makes meaning for the reader. I believe if you focus on the execution of the techniques, we would find that Robinson’s execution is unique in both titles, despite the similarity of medium. Does that mean neither book is “individually distinct in its execution of the artistic technique employed"? This is a question the committee must answer. Is the picture book under consideration individually distinct in its execution of the artistic technique employed? Quoting from the copyright page of Nina, we see that Robinson employed “acrylic paint, collage, and a bit of digital manipulation.” If Robinson’s other 2021 title ( Milo) is on the table - and I’m sure it is - we would see that the same exact statement is included on the copyright page. Instead, the manual must be leading us to define individually distinct as it relates to the criteria. In this context, the term individually distinct would seem redundant. The dictionary definition of distinct is ”distinguishable to the eye or mind as being discrete or not the same.” This definition does not help us here, as no two picture books of a given year are truly indistinguishable from each other. If I were at the Caldecott table, I would want to make sure everyone on the committee agreed on the meaning and implications of this important element of the definition of "distinguished." The Caldecott manual does not define the phrase "individually distinct," which allows each committee to come to a collective consensus on the definition of this important term. Two excellent books in one year by the same illustrator (Robinson also illustrated Milo Imagines the World) might create a difficult situation. I am not claiming that all award committee members take this approach to their work, but if I were on an award committee and charged with introducing a book of this magnitude, this is how I would go about ensuring a shiny seal is placed on the book by Saturday night. Todd and illustrated by Christian Robinson, this Calling Caldecott blog post is my attempt to take readers into the mind of a committee member - the strategizing, the planning, and how one might present a title to their committee during the January gathering. Instead of spending time talking about why I love Nina: A Story of Nina Simone, written by Traci N. ![]()
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