Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Elisa Gall
Review of The Forest of a Thousand Eyes
The Forest of a Thousand Eyes by Frances Hardinge; illus. by Emily Gravett Intermediate, Middle School Amulet/Abrams 128 pp. 8/25 9781419777783 $19.99 e-book ed. 9798887074511 $17.99 Hardinge and Gravett pair up again (Island of Whispers, rev. 7/24) in a short, atmospheric tale told through Hardinge’s skillful fairy-tale prose and Gravett’s art, which intertwines, illuminates, and sometimes takes over pages altogether.
Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World)
Simple elements do a lot of work in Corey R. Tabor’s picture book Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saved the World), whose illustrations were “drawn on a tablet, printed out on an old laser printer, then scanned back in and colored digitally.” (Gotta love a chatty copyright page.) My eye was drawn first to the wire Crow is standing on — a thick horizontal line going straight across the first few spreads.
First-round nomination results!
Results from our first round of nominations! We asked readers to give us four titles that they thought were worthy of the Caldecott Award. Thank you to everyone who submitted comments. We will have one more round of nominations in December. Here’s what the November results showed: Twenty-three titles were nominated. Ten titles have more than one nomination. The leading title — nominated seven times — is Cat Nap written and illustrated by Caldecott Honor–recipient Brian Lies.
The 2025 New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Books
The 2025 NYT/NYPL Best Illustrated list came out on Sunday! Here are the ten titles selected (by a panel of esteemed judges: Peter Sís, Tracey Baptiste, and children’s librarian Amber Moller): Making Art written and illustrated by Diana Ejaita Dragon Flower written and illustrated by Chen Jiang Hong; translated by Alyson Waters Broken written and illustrated by X.
Review of Sugar Shack
Sugar Shack by Lucy Knisley; illus. by the author; color by Whitney Cogar Intermediate, Middle School RH Graphic/Random 240 pp. 8/25 9780593125502 $21.99 Library ed. 9781984896919 $24.99 Paper ed. 9781984896902 $13.99 e-book ed. 9781984896926 $8.99 This third installment of the graphic-novel series (starting with Stepping Stones, rev.
Call for first-round nominations!
Kitty and I are stunned to find ourselves here in November already! It’s time for our first-round nominations. The real Caldecott committee is beginning their nomination process, which you can learn more about in this excellent post that Julie Hakim Azzam wrote a couple years back. Here on Calling Caldecott, we’ll be doing nominations in two rounds, asking you for four nominations this month and three more in December.
The History of We
Next up on my list of heavy hitters for potential Caldecott recipients is Artivist and film concept artist Nikkolas Smith. If you’re familiar with Nikkolas’s previous books and social media posts, you know that his art advocates for global change and justice for all. Typically, Smith approaches his illustrations digitally. However in his most recent title, The History of We, Smith took it back to basics.
Review of School Dance
School Dance [Brinkley Yearbooks] by Sarah Sax; illus. by the author Intermediate, Middle School Knopf 288 pp. 8/25 9780593306963 $21.99 Library ed. 9780593306970 $24.99 Paper ed. 9780593306956 $13.99 e-book ed. 9780593306987 $8.99 In this third installment of the graphic-novel series (Picture Day, rev. 9/23; Tryouts, rev. 7/24), wallflower Milo Castillo steps into the spotlight.
Why the Hell Is Everyone Sleeping on Flowcharts?: Informational Picture Books Up Close
Today on Calling Caldecott, a conversation between Elisa Gall and Jonathan Hunt about informational picture books and the Caldecott Award. (This is an entry in their "why-the-hell" Calling Caldecott series.
Review of A Sleepless Night
A Sleepless Night by Micaela Chirif; illus. by Joaquín Camp; trans. from Spanish by Jordan Landsman Primary Transit 48 pp. 9/24 9798893389050 $19.95 In this vibrant and absurdist Argentinian import, young Elisa cries so loudly that her narrator sibling says she sounds “like a fire truck instead of a baby,” and all the neighbors in their apartment building are disrupted.
Home in a Lunchbox
The Caldecott criteria states that the award should honor a work that provides “a visual experience” for the young reader and “respects a child’s ‘understandings, abilities, and appreciations.’” Cherry Mo’s visually enthralling and nearly wordless debut, Home in a Lunchbox, does just that, using colorful digital illustrations and cinematic flourishes to tell a personal story about a girl named Jun who finds solace in her lunchbox after arriving in the United States from Hong Kong.
First-round nomination results!
Twenty-five titles were nominated (five were ineligible, so we aren't counting those) Eleven titles have more than one nomination. The leading title — nominated seven times — is Ahoy! written and illustrated by two-time Caldecott Award–winner Sophie Backall. Joyful Song and Life After Whale each received four nominations; Two Together, The Yellow Bus, and Noodles on a Bicycle received three nominations each. Five titles were each nominated two times. Fourteen titles have a single nomination.
The 2024 New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Books
The 2024 NYT/NYPL Best Illustrated list came out yesterday! Here are the titles selected: The Cat Way, written and illustrated by Sara Lundberg, translated by B.J. Woodstein Animal Albums From A to Z, written and illustrated by Cece Bell Planting Hope: A Portrait of Photographer Sebastião Salgado, written by Philip Hoelzel, illustrated by Renato Alarcão Yaya and the Sea, written by Karen Good Marable, illustrated by Tonya Engel The Man Who Didn’t Like Animals, written by Deborah Underwood,...
The Horn Book | The Yellow Bus
Pertinent information for those interested in serving on Caldecott committees: There are certain rules and regulation to bear in mind. According to the rules placed by ALA, no committee member may blog while serving on the committee: “Members should not use social media or electronic forms of communication in relation to eligible titles during their term of service.
Call for first-round nominations
Friends, we’ve looked at a number of extraordinary picture books so far, and much as we might enjoy giving each one a prize, Caldecott is looking for “the most distinguished.” It’s time to make some choices. The real Caldecott committee is beginning their nomination process, which you can learn more about in this excellent post Julie Hakim Azzam wrote last year. (Thanks, Julie!) Here, we’ll be doing nominations in two rounds, asking you for four nominations this month and three more in December.
Hell of a long shot?: Sequels, series, and the Caldecott Award
Today on Calling Caldecott, a conversation between Elisa Gall and Jonathan Hunt about sequels, series, and the Caldecott Award. (This is an entry in their "why-the-hell" Calling Caldecott series.
Review of The Worst Ronin
The Worst Ronin by Maggie Tokuda-Hall; illus. by Faith Schaffer High School HarperAlley/HarperCollins 336 pp. 5/24 9780358464945 $26.99 Paper ed. 9780358464938 $18.99 e-book ed. 9780358467175 $12.99 A pair of mismatched fighters embarks on a quest to vanquish a yamauba (a monster that devours children) in a graphic novel that seamlessly blends fantasy in a reimagined feudal Japan with trappings of contemporary technology.
Review of Telephone of the Tree
Telephone of the Tree by Alison McGhee Intermediate Rocky Pond/Penguin 208 pp. 5/24 9780593698457 $17.99 e-book ed. 9780593698464 $10.99 In a first-person narrative, ten-year-old Ayla relates her special connection to her best friend, Kiri, beginning when they first reached out to each other as infants. Together they develop a keen interest in trees: caring for them, learning about them, and aspiring to be more tree-like.
Review of The New Girl
The New Girl by Cassandra Calin; illus. by the author Middle School Graphix/Scholastic 272 pp. 6/24 9781338762464 $24.99 Paper ed. 9781338762457 $12.99 e-book ed. 9781338762471 $12.99 Inspired by the author’s own immigrant experience, this contemporary-set graphic novel centers Lia, a middle schooler whose family relocates from Romania to Canada. Enrolled in a “welcome class” to learn French with other non-native speakers, Lia struggles to adjust to her new life in Montreal.
Review of The Secret Library
The Secret Library by Kekla Magoon Intermediate Candlewick 384 pp. 5/24 9781536230888 $18.99 e-book ed. 9781536237498 $18.99 Eleven-and-a-half-year-old Delilah “Dally” Peteharrington’s mother wants to prepare her to take over the family business. Every afternoon, she meets with tutors to learn “important business-ish things,” but what she really wants is to go on adventures like the ones her grandfather took her on before he died.
Review of Deep Water
Deep Water by Jamie Sumner Intermediate, Middle School Atheneum 224 pp. 4/24 9781665935067 $17.99 e-book ed. 9781665935081 $10.99 Open-water marathon swimming (any continuous swim over ten kilometers) is not for the faint of heart and is typically done with meticulous planning, careful consideration for the weather and water conditions, and a skilled kayaker and other safety supports in place.
Review of Plain Jane and the Mermaid
Plain Jane and the Mermaid by Vera Brosgol; illus. by the author Middle School, High School First Second 368 pp. 5/24 9781250314864 $22.99 Paper ed. 9781250314857 $14.99 A funny and fast-paced feminist adventure masterfully told through the comics medium. This alternate-Victorian-era fantasy opens after Jane’s parents’ death. Since women can’t own property, the family estate and fortune will pass to Jane’s odious male cousin—who gives her a week to pack her bags and leave.
Review of A New Car for Pickle
A New Car for Pickle [I Like to Read: Comics] by Sylvie Kantorovitz; illus. by the author Primary Holiday 40 pp. 6/24 9780823456208 $14.99 Pickle (a dog) and a bird friend decide to drive to Clover Farm to get some strawberries and fresh cream, but soon after they set out, the car breaks down. Instead of listening to the bird’s advice (“check the engine”), Pickle exclaims, “This car is junk!” and starts a quest to purchase a new car.
Review of Taming Papa
Taming Papa by Mylène Goupil; trans. from French by Shelley Tanaka Intermediate Groundwood 160 pp. 3/24 9781773067230 $16.99 e-book ed. 9781773067247 $14.99 Mélie lives alone with her mother, Sofia, until one day they receive a phone call informing them that Sami (Mélie’s father) will be released from prison. This is the first Mélie has ever heard about her father (she assumed she didn’t have one).
Five Questions for Sarah Sax
Each book in Sarah Sax’s Brinkley Yearbooks graphic novel series (Knopf, 9–12 years) centers on a different protagonist. In the second and latest, Tryouts, athletic Al becomes the only girl on the school’s baseball team, and that’s just the beginning of a nuanced tale of teamwork. See also the Sports -- Baseball and Graphic novels tags in the Guide/Reviews Database. 1. How do you approach the world-building for a series in your creative process?
Books mentioned in the July 2024 issue of Notes from the Horn Book
These titles were featured in the July 2024 Back-to-School issue of Notes from the Horn Book. Five Questions for Sarah Sax Tryouts by Sarah Sax; Knopf. Lots to learn Wires Crossed by Beth Fantaskey, illus. by ONeillJones; Clarion/HarperCollins. Lo Simpson Starts a Revolution by Melanie Florence; Orca. The School for Invisible Boys by Shaun David Hutchinson; Labyrinth Road/Random. Table Titans Club by Scott Kurtz, illus. by the author, color by Steve Hamaker; Holiday.
Review of Tryouts
Tryouts [Brinkley Yearbooks] by Sarah Sax; illus. by the author Intermediate, Middle School Knopf 288 pp. 5/24 9780593306925 $21.99 Library ed. 9780593306932 $24.99 Paper ed. 9780593306918 $13.99 e-book ed. 9780593306949 $8.99 This addition to the Brinkley Yearbooks graphic novel series (Picture Day, rev. 9/23) stands on its own. Alexandra Olsen — or Al — loves baseball.
History brought to life
These five works of nonfiction, recommended for intermediate and/or middle-school readers, provide close-ups of human stories from various historical moments that may be discussed in the classroom. Barracoon: Adapted for Young Readers by Zora Neale Hurston; adapted by Ibram X. Kendi; illus. by Jazzmen Lee-Johnson Intermediate, Middle School Amistad/HarperCollins 208 pp. 1/24 9780063098336 $18.99 e-book ed.
The Horn Book | Lots to learn
What clubs should I join? Who are my real friends? Where should I sit at lunch?? The protagonists of these eight books recommended for intermediate and/or middle-school readers have more to figure out than just homework questions. For more, see our Five Questions interview with Sarah Sax about Tryouts, and the Schools -- Elementary schools and Schools -- Middle schools tags in the Guide/Reviews Database. Wires Crossed by Beth Fantaskey; illus.
The Horn Book | A good start
Welcome to school! These eight stories set in and around schools are recommended for preschool and/or primary readers. For more, see the Schools -- Preschools and Schools -- Elementary schools tags in the Guide/Reviews Database. Give by Jen Arena; illus. by Rahele Jomepour Bell Preschool, Primary Knopf 40 pp. 8/23 9781524714994 $18.99 Library ed. 9781524714482 $21.99 e-book ed.
The Horn Book | Grade-A YA
School is the backdrop for dramas, comedies, and everything in between in these varied six novels recommended for middle- and/or high-school readers. See also the Schools -- Middle schools and Schools -- High schools tags in the Guide/Reviews Database. Not like Other Girls by Meredith Adamo High School Bloomsbury 448 pp. 4/24 9781547614004 $19.99 e-book ed.
From the Editor - July 2024
This week, my husband and I encouraged our two high schoolers to double-check what summer work they need to complete before school begins — no waiting until the last minute in this house! — and here at the Horn Book we’re helping everyone get ready with this annual Back-to-School edition of Notes from the Horn Book.
Review of While You’re Asleep
While You’re Asleep by Emmy Kastner; illus. by the author Preschool, Primary Simon 48 pp. 3/24 9781665931335 $18.99 e-book ed. 9781665931342 $10.99 “The Earth / slowly spins, / light fades away.
Review of Ten Little Rabbits
Ten Little Rabbits by Maurice Sendak; illus. by the author Preschool Harper/HarperCollins 32 pp. 2/24 9780062644671 $19.99 The jacket copy of this very simple, essentially wordless counting story calls its young protagonist Mino, but the M emblazoned on his stage podium could just as well stand for Max or Mickey or Maurice, as another little boy with flair, talent, and determination. One by one, the boy pulls ten rabbits from a hat; he puts them back the same way.
Review of A Little Bit Super: With Small Powers Come Big Problems
A Little Bit Super: With Small Powers Come Big Problems edited by Leah Henderson and Gary D. Schmidt; illus. by Jarrett J. Krosoczka Intermediate, Middle School Clarion/HarperCollins 288 pp. 4/24 9780358683421 $18.99 e-book ed. 9780358659532 $10.99 This imaginative collection presents thirteen stories from an all-star team of authors, including Nikki Grimes, Pam Muñoz Ryan, and Linda Sue Park.
Review of The Dubious Pranks of Shaindy Goodman
The Dubious Pranks of Shaindy Goodman by Mari Lowe Intermediate, Middle School Levine Querido 176 pp. 11/23 9781646142644 $18.99 Sixth grader Shaindy feels invisible at school, so when popular Gayil invites her to sneak into the building together and help with pranks against their classmates, she can’t resist the allure of the shared mission.
The Horn Book | Review of Duel
Duel by Jessixa Bagley; illus. by Aaron Bagley Middle School Simon 320 pp. 11/23 9781534496552 $24.99 Paper ed. 9781534496545 $14.99 e-book ed. 9781534496569 $10.99 Fantasy-loving Lucy and her perfectionist older sister, Gigi, have been fighting ever since their dad’s passing. When Gigi, a popular eighth grader, trips Lucy in the lunchroom on her first day of middle school, Lucy can’t take it anymore: she publicly challenges Gigi, “the best fencer in school,” to a duel.
Review of An Impossible Thing to Say
An Impossible Thing to Say by Arya Shahi High School Allida/HarperCollins 416 pp. 9/23 9780063248359 $19.99 e-book ed. 9780063248373 $10.99 In this verse novel set in 2001, tenth grader Omid Soltani isn’t comfortable in his own skin. As the child of Iranian immigrants living in Arizona, he feels foreign at school (especially in the post-9/11 climate), but never Persian enough with his family.
Review of Ink Girls
Ink Girls by Marieke Nijkamp; illus. by Sylvia Bi Intermediate, Middle School Greenwillow 288 pp. 11/23 9780063027114 $24.99 Paper ed. 9780063027107 $15.99 e-book ed. 9780063027121 $10.99 This energetic and optimistic graphic novel overflows with collectivism and an activist spirit. In the fictional world of Siannerra (inspired by Italian city-states of the late Middle Ages and Renaissance), Mestra Aronne prints and distributes avvisi—news-filled pamphlets—for her community.
Calling Caldecott: Choose Three (Nom, Nom, Noms!)
It's time for us to nom-nom-nominate three more titles for Caldecott consideration. Nominate three titles for consideration by the end of the day on Monday, December 11th. Like many people, I’ve been captivated by the recent New York Times article that takes a deep dive into the cookies that Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster devours. (“Nom Nom Nom. What’s the Deal with Cookie Monster’s Cookies?”) What are those cookies made of? How do they crumble? Are they real? Who makes them?
Christo and Jeanne-Claude Wrap the World
Artist-couple Christo and Jeanne-Claude made site-specific works — massive wrapped monuments and land-art spanning miles — which might seem unwieldy subjects for a picture book. But there is much in these artists’ adventures for children to love, and in G. Neri's Christo and Jeanne-Claude Wrap the World:The Story of Two Groundbreaking Environmental Artists, Elizabeth Haidle’s mixed-media illustrations convey the artists’ “what-if?” spirit with joy and verve.
Night in the City
In a city after dark, the lit windows look warm and interesting. Each one has a story going on behind it. Who are these people? What are they doing? Julie Downing’s Night in the City explores that curiosity visually: some people, like the child in the story, prepare for sleep, but there are lots of other people working. The dust jacket shows the busy city; however, the hidden cover art beneath is more intimate, featuring two mirrored perspectives from one window.
Calde-folklore: there's a hell of a lot of it
Today on Calling Caldecott, a conversation between Elisa Gall and Jonathan Hunt about folklore and the Caldecott Award. (This is an entry in their "why-the-hell" Calling Caldecott series.
Review of How to Stay Invisible
How to Stay Invisible by Maggie C. Rudd Middle School Farrar 240 pp. 6/23 9780374390334 $17.99 e-book ed. 9780374390341 $10.99 “Most people didn’t live in hollowed-out trees behind their middle school,” but twelve-year-old Raymond does. A seventh grader at River Mill Middle School in North Carolina, he had lived in a rented trailer with his feckless parents three miles from school.
Review of We Are Starlings: Inside the Mesmerizing Magic of a Murmuration
We Are Starlings: Inside the Mesmerizing Magic of a Murmuration by Robert Furrow and Donna Jo Napoli; illus. by Marc Martin Primary Random House Studio/Random 40 pp. 5/23 9780593381632 $18.99 Library ed. 9780593381649 $21.99 e-book ed. 9780593381663 $11.99 Starlings are social birds, at times flying in groups so large that their wings create a murmuring sound that can be heard by humans on the ground.
Review of Wombats Are Pretty Weird: A (Not So) Serious Guide
Wombats Are Pretty Weird: A (Not So) Serious Guide by Abi Cushman; illus. by the author Primary Greenwillow 40 pp. 5/23 9780063234437 $19.99 Cushman combines clear, cartoonlike digital illustrations with a lucid and humorous narrative to introduce young readers to wombats.
Review of Lost in the Mountains
by Elisa Gall Aug 09, 2023 | Filed in Book Reviews This humorous and informative comic-format guide showcases all things survival in the great outdoors. After getting lost while hiking and later... Lost in the Mountains [Survival Scout] by Maxwell Eaton III; illus. by the author Intermediate Roaring Brook 144 pp. 5/23 9781250790460 $19.99 Paper ed. 9781250790477 $12.99 e-book ed.
Review of Lo & Behold
by Elisa Gall Jun 26, 2023 | Filed in Book Reviews In this moving and memorable graphic novel, twelve-year-old Addie loves tortoises, outer space, and moon trees (planted from seeds that traveled with... Lo & Behold by Wendy Mass; illus. by Gabi Mendez; color by Cai Tse Intermediate, Middle School Random House 224 pp. 5/23 9780593179635 $20.99 Library ed. 9780593179642 $23.99 Paper ed. 9780593179628 $13.99 e-book ed.
Review of Salt Magic by Hope Larson and Rebecca Mock
by Niki Marion Dec 14, 2021 | Filed in Book Reviews In this third graphic novel collaboration between Larson and Mock (Compass South, rev. 7/16; Knife’s Edge), what begins as a twentieth-century family drama quickly uncoils into a much more sinister — and spellbinding — modern fairy tale. Salt Magic by Hope Larson; illus. by Rebecca Mock Middle School Ferguson/Holiday 240 pp. g 10/21 978-0-8234-4620-9 $21.99 Paper ed. 978-0-8234-5050-3 $14.99 e-book ed.
Nina: A Story of Nina Simone
Eric Carpenter takes readers into the mind of a (hypothetical) Caldecott committee member determined to convince his fellow committtee members to vote for the amazing Nina, illustrated by Christian Robinson. Instead of spending time talking about why I love Nina: A Story of Nina Simone, written by Traci N.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Elisa
Contact Elisa, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack