Children’s Book Awards:

The Caldecott Medal

Laura AlgerLSIS 5525/Assignment #9

NCCU/Fall 2012

The Caldecott Medal

The Caldecott Medal

Basic information: The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of

nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.

-American Library Association 

Caldecott Medal: When identifying a distinguished American picture book for

childrenCriterion are considered by members of the committee, ALA

requires: Excellence of execution in the artistic technique employed; Excellence of pictorial interpretation of story, theme, or concept; Appropriateness of style of illustration to the story, theme or concept; Delineation of plot, theme, characters, setting, mood or information through

the pictures; Excellence of presentation in recognition of a child audience. The only limitation to graphic form is that the form must be one which may be

used in a picture book. The book must be a self-contained entity, not dependent on other media (i.e., sound, film or computer program) for its enjoyment.

Each book is to be considered as a picture book. The committee is to make its decision primarily on the illustration, but other components of a book are to be considered especially when they make a book less effective as a children’s picture book. Such other components might include the written text, the overall design of the book, etc -American Library Association 

A BALL FOR DAISYillustrator Chris Raschka

2012 Caldecott Medal Winner

A BALL FOR DAISY2012 Caldecott Medal Winner

Summary: A Ball for Daisy shares the story of an dog who is heartbroken over the destruction and loss of his prized possession, his toy red ball.  

This book is worthy of recognition for many reasons. First, the book uses pictures alone to beautifully tell a

heartwarming story. Second, preschool age children will be able to feel the

dog’s sadness, then feel the dog’s joy. They will be brought into the emotions of the story.

Third, through the illustrations children will learn three lessons: 1. play gently with other’s toys, 2. recovery is possible after a loss, 3. take responsibility for your actions

So You Want to Be President?

 Illustrated by David Small, written by Judith St. George

2001 Caldecott Winner

So You Want to Be President?

2001 Caldecott Winner Summary: So You Want to Be President? Is a fitting choice for this

project since we are in the midst of the 2012 Presidential Election! This book is described as “serious fun” and it hilariously illustrates some of our Presidents “foibles, quirks and humanity” (amazon.com). The basic idea of this book is that anybody can become President; and it may just inspire a student to become President!

So You Want to Be President? is worthy of recognition for many reasons. First, illustrations are entertaining and include watercolor, ink, and

pastel chalk, with detail and humor similar to political cartooning/caricatures.

Second, the book is humorous, yet educational; it teaches children fun facts about our Presidents.

Third, the illustrations complement the script in a way that gains a child’s attention.

Caldecott Medal Winners

Now, let’s take a look at Winners over the past 10

years…

Caldecott Medal Winner 2011

illustrated by Erin E. Stead, written by Philip C. Stead

Caldecott Medal Winner 2010

The Lion & the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney

Caldecott Medal Winner 2009

 The House in the Nightillustrated by Beth Krommes, written by Susan

Marie Swanson

Caldecott Medal Winner 2008

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Caldecott Medal Winner 2007

Flotsam by David Wiesner

Caldecott Medal Winner 2006

The Hello, Goodbye Window Illustrated by Chris Raschka, written by Norton Juster

Caldecott Medal Winner 2005

Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes 

Caldecott Medal Winner 2004

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein

Caldecott Medal Winner 2003

My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann

Caldecott Medal Winner 2002

The Three Pigs by David Wiesner

  Works Consulted: A Ball for Daisy. (2012) Retrieved on October 23,

2012 from amazon.com. Raschka, C., Schwartz & Wade Books., &

Random House (Firm). (2011). A ball for Daisy. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books.

Randolph Caldecott Medal. (2012) Retrieved on October 22, 2012 from http://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/ randolph-caldecott-medal-

St, G. J., & Small, D. (2004). So you want to be president?. New York: Philomel Books.