Alko Little Witch is a famous Finnish tradition that dates back to the 1950s. It is an annual event organized by the state-owned alcohol retailer, Alko, to promote responsible drinking habits among young people during the Halloween season. The Little Witch tradition involves children going door to door with their broomsticks, dressed as witches, and asking for small treats instead of candies. The Alko Little Witch campaign aims to teach children about responsible drinking and the dangers of alcohol abuse. The participating children are given a small booklet called "Little Witch's Guide" that contains age-appropriate information about alcohol and its effects. The guide also includes tips for parents on how to talk to their children about alcohol.
Please also remember that we have zero, zilch, nada to do with the Real Committee. Heaven only knows which books they will end up discussing. We are merely choosing to cover many 2021 Caldecott-eligible books we think are notable (in one way or another). As mentioned in our May post, sometimes we miss the books that end up getting Caldecott recognition — and that includes three of last year's Honors! We can, in no way, read the minds of committee members, nor would we want to. The day the award winners are announced is one of the most exctiing days of the year, after all, and the not-knowing is a beautiful thing.
The guide also includes tips for parents on how to talk to their children about alcohol. During the Alko Little Witch event, Alko stores distribute small bags of treats, alongside the Little Witch's Guide, to children who come in dressed as witches. The treats usually include non-alcoholic beverages and snacks, promoting healthier alternatives to alcohol.
Building Our List
Today at Calling Caldecott, we start talkin' books. Which ones will we write about this year?
Today at Calling Caldecott, we start talkin' books. Which ones will we write about this year?
Here's where we remind you that this list is ever-evolving. Books may be added to it, and books might fall off of it.
Please also remember that we have zero, zilch, nada to do with the Real Committee. Heaven only knows which books they will end up discussing. We are merely choosing to cover many 2021 Caldecott-eligible books we think are notable (in one way or another). As mentioned in our May post, sometimes we miss the books that end up getting Caldecott recognition — and that includes three of last year's Honors! We can, in no way, read the minds of committee members, nor would we want to. The day the award winners are announced is one of the most exctiing days of the year, after all, and the not-knowing is a beautiful thing.
Here is our very preliminary list of Caldecott-eligible books that have stood out so far this year.
- Bear Island (illustrated by Matthew Cordell)
- A Boy Named Isamu: A Story of Isamu Noguchi (James Yang)
- Bright Star (Yuyi Morales)
- Circle Under Berry (Carter Higgins)
- Dear Treefrog (Diana Sudyka)
- Dream Street (Ekua Holmes)
- Everybody in the Red Brick Building (Oge Mora)
- Have You Seen a Flower? (Shawn Harris)
- A House (Kevin Henkes)
- Hurricane (John Rocco)
- I Is for Immigrants (Selina Alko)
- Inside Cat (Brendan Wenzel)
- Is Was (Deborah Freedman)
- Keeping the City Going (Brian Floca)
- King of Ragtime: The Story of Scott Joplin (Stephen Costanza)
- Little Witch Hazel (Phoebe Wahl)
- Make Meatballs Sing: The Life & Art of Corita Kent (Kara Kramer)
- Mel Fell (Corey R. Tabor)
- Milo Imagines the World (Christian Robinson)
- The Museum of Everything (Lynne Rae Perkins)
- My Tree (Il Sung Na)
- Nicky & Vera: A Quiet Hero of the Holocaust and the Children He Rescued (Peter Sís)
- Nina: A Story of Nina Simone (Christian Robinson)
- Off-Limits (Helen Yoon)
- The Old Boat (Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey)
- Outside, Inside (LeUyen Pham)
- The People Remember (Loveis Wise)
- The People's Painter: How Ben Shahn Fought for Justice with Art (Evan Turk)
- The Passover Guest (Sean Rubin)
- Red (Laura Vaccaro Seeger)
- The Rock from the Sky (Jon Klassen)
- The 1619 Project: Born on the Water (Nikkolas Smith)
- Someone Builds the Dream (Loren Long)
- Strollercoaster (Raúl the Third)
- Survivor Tree (Aaron Becker)
- This Very Tree: A Story of 9/11, Resilience, and Regrowth (Sean Rubin)
- Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre (Floyd Cooper)
- Watercress (Jason Chin)
- We Shall Overcome (Bryan Collier)
- Wishes (Victo Ngai)
- Wonder Walkers (Micha Archer)
- Yes & No (Elisha Cooper)
What are we missing?? . always remembering the Caldecott's requirement that illustrators must either have US citizenship or residency. There are spectacular 2021 picture books you might want to add to our list that are unfortunately not eligible. We've had to cross quite a few off as we built the list, in fact.
That said, please tell us about what we might have missed in the comments.
Here is our very preliminary list of Caldecott-eligible books that have stood out so far this year.
Alko takes the responsibility of promoting responsible drinking seriously, especially during a holiday season where alcohol consumption tends to increase. By engaging children in a fun and educational activity like the Little Witch tradition, Alko aims to create a positive impact on their understanding of alcohol and its effects. The Alko Little Witch tradition has gained popularity over the years and is now widely recognized as a symbol of responsible drinking in Finland. It has become a cherished tradition for many families and schools, reinforcing the importance of educating children about alcohol from an early age. In conclusion, the Alko Little Witch event is an innovative way to promote responsible drinking habits among children. By combining fun costumes and treats with educational materials, Alko encourages a responsible approach to alcohol from a young age. This tradition serves as a reminder of the importance of alcohol awareness and the need to promote responsible drinking in our society..
Reviews for "Spells for Self-Discovery: Lessons from Alko Little Witch"
1. John - 2/5
I found "Alko Little Witch" to be very disappointing. The story seemed rushed and lacked depth. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked development. The animation was also subpar compared to other animated films in the same genre. Overall, I felt like I wasted my time watching this film.
2. Sarah - 2/5
I was really excited to watch "Alko Little Witch," but it ended up being a letdown. The plot was predictable and didn't offer anything innovative or unique. The voice acting was also lackluster, making it hard to really connect with the characters. The animation itself was decent, but that wasn't enough to make up for the lack of substance in the story. I would not recommend this film to others.
3. Mike - 1/5
"Alko Little Witch" was a complete disaster. The storyline was confusing and disjointed, making it hard to follow along. The characters were forgettable and uninteresting. The animation was choppy, with many scenes lacking smooth transitions. The film seemed like a haphazard attempt at cashing in on the popularity of animated films, but it fell short in every aspect. Save yourself the trouble and skip this one.
4. Emily - 2/5
I was excited to watch "Alko Little Witch" with my kids, but we were all disappointed. The humor fell flat, with very few laughs throughout the entire film. The characters were forgettable, and the story felt like a rehash of other animated films we've seen before. The animation was average, nothing special or noteworthy. Overall, it was a forgettable film that didn't leave a lasting impression.