Caldecott Medal
The Randolph Caldecott Medal, frequently shortened to just the Caldecott, annually recognizes the preceding year's "most distinguished American picture book for children". It is awarded to the illustrator by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association. The Caldecott and Newbery Medals are considered the most prestigious American children's book awards. Beside the Caldecott Medal, the committee awards a variable number of citations to runner-ups they deem worthy, called the Caldecott Honor or Caldecott Honor Books.
The Caldecott Medal was first proposed by Frederic G. Melcher in 1937. The award was named after English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. The medal, which is given to every winner, features two of Caldecott's illustrations and remains unchanged since its founding. The process of the award has changed several times over the year including in 1971 using the term "Honor" for the runner-ups. There have between one and five honor books named each year.
To be eligible for a Caldecott book the book must have been published in English, in the United States first and be drawn by an American illustrator. An award committee decides on a winner in January or February voting several using a multi-round point system. The committee judges books on several criteria to meet the Caldecott's goal of recognizing "distinguished illustrations in a picture book and for excellence of pictorial presentation for children."
Winning the award can lead to a substantial rise in books sold. It can also increases the prominence of illustrators. Illustrator and author Marcia Brown is the most recognized Caldecott illustrator having won three medals and having six honor books. In recent years there has been an increase in the number of minority characters and illustrators recognized, however this is something which has fluctuated over the history of the award.
History
The Caldecott was suggested in 1937 by Frederic G. Melcher, former editor of Publishers Weekly following the establishment of the Newbery Medal in 1921. The American Library Association adopted Melcher's suggestion of awarding a medal to the illustrator "who had created the most distinguished picture book of the year." According to children's literature expert Leonard S. Marcus, the award helped draw American artists into the field of children's books.The award has been tweaked over the years, with the most recent changes in 2009. When the award was founded, books could be considered either for the Newbery or the Caldecott, with the same committee judging both awards. The committee noted other books of merit, which were frequently referred to as runner-ups. In 1971 these books were formally named Newbery Honor books, with this name applied retroactively. In 1977 books became eligible for both awards and beginning with the 1980 award separate committees for each award were formed. Until 1958 a previous winner could win again only by unanimous vote of the committee and in 1963 joint winners were first permitted.
Medal
The award is named for Randolph Caldecott, a nineteenth-century English illustrator. Rene Paul Chambellan designed the Medal in 1937. The obverse scene is derived from Randolph Caldecott's front cover illustration for The Diverting History of John Gilpin, which depicts Gilpin astride a runaway horse. The reverse is based on "Four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie", one of Caldecott's illustrations for the nursery rhyme "Sing a Song of Sixpence". Each illustrator receives a bronze copy of the medal, which, despite being awarded by the Association for Library Service to Children, lists Children's Librarian's Section, the original awarding group, for historical reasons.Eligibility and criteria
A picture book, according to the award criteria, provides "a visual experience. A picture book has a collective unity of story-line, theme, or concept, developed through the series of pictures" that constitute the book. The Medal is "for distinguished illustrations in a picture book and for excellence of pictorial presentation for children". Specifically the illustrations are judged on their artistic technique, interpretation of the book's story and theme, the fit between the illustrations and the story and themes, the precision of depiction of elements of the book like characters and mood, and how well the illustrations serve their targeted audience. Honor books need to fulfill the same criteria. The book must be self-contained, independent of other media for its enjoyment. Components other than illustration, including the book's text or overall design, may be considered as they affect the overall effectiveness of the book's illustrations.To be eligible for the Caldecott the artist must be a US citizen or resident, the book must have been published in English, in the United States first, or simultaneously in other countries. Picture books for any audience up to age 14 may be considered. In December 2019 Leonard Marcus suggested that the Caldecott had achieved its mission in the US and the award should be expanded so children's book illustrations from anywhere in the world be considered.
Selection process
The committee that decides on the Caldecott Award winner comprises fifteen members of ALSC. Seven members are elected by the entire ALSC membership and eight, including the chairperson, are appointed by the ALSC President. Members are chosen based on their experience and to ensure a diversity of libraries and geographical areas are represented. Publishers send copies of books to the committee; 2009 members each received more than 700. However, a book does not need to be sent to the committee to be considered. Instead, to help identify possible contenders, committee members formally nominate seven books in three rounds over the year and less formally recommend others.At ALSC's annual midwinter meeting, held in late January or early February, the committee will discuss the nominations and hold a vote on the winner. When voting, committee members list their first place, second place, and third place selections. Each vote is assigned a point value, with first place votes receiving four points, second place three points, and third place two points. The winner must receive at least eight first place votes and be at least eight points ahead of the second place finisher. After a winner is selected, the committee can decide whether to award any honor books. They may be chosen from runner-ups to the winner or be selected in a separate ballot. The winner and honor books are kept secret until they are publicly announced, with the committee calling the winning illustrators the morning of the announcement.
In 2015, K. T. Horning of the University of Wisconsin–Madison's Cooperative Children's Book Center proposed to ALSC that old discussions of the Newbery and Caldecott be made public in the service of researchers and historians. This proposal was met with both support and criticism by former committee members and recognized authors. no change has been made.
Impact and analysis
The Caldecott and Newbery awards have historically been considered the most important children's book awards. Anita Silvey, children's book author, editor, and critic, suggests they might even be the most important book awards, saying that "no other award has the economic significance of the Newbery and Caldecott”. According to Silvey a Caldecott winner can have sales increased from 2,000 to 100,000–200,000. Silvey also credits the Caldecott for helping to establish Bradbury Press and Roaring Brook Press as important publishers. It can also be an important recognition for authors. According to Leonard Marcus, Where the Wild Things Are's recognition brought its author and illustrator, Maurice Sendak to national prominence.A 1999 study on the reading levels of Caldecott recipients suggested that most winners were written at the elementary age level, with the average reading level having decreased over time. A 2007 study of Caldecott recipients found that the prevalence and importance of female characters had risen and fallen several times over the history of the Caldecott. It also found that, unlike recipients of the Pura Belpré Award and Coretta Scott King Award, the behaviors of male and female characters remained distinct and adhered to traditional gender norms. A different 2007 study by one of the same authors also found an increase in the number of minority characters following a 1965 critique by Nancy Larrick, however the number of minorities had fallen by the 2000s. In recent years there has been an increase in the number of minority characters and illustrators recognized. The Horn Book Magazine editor Martha Parravano has noted how rarely non-fiction books, especially non-fiction books about science, are recognized by the Caldecott.
Recipients
| Year | Illustrator | Book | Award |
| 1938 | Animals of the Bible | ||
| 1938 | Four and Twenty Blackbirds | ||
| 1938 | ' | ||
| 1939 | Mei Li | ||
| 1939 | Andy and the Lion | ||
| 1939 | Barkis | ||
| 1939 | ' | ||
| 1939 | Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs | ||
| 1939 | Wee Gillis | ||
| 1940 | Abraham Lincoln | ||
| 1940 | Cock-a-Doodle Doo | ||
| 1940 | Madeline | ||
| 1940 | ' | ||
| 1941 | They Were Strong and Good | ||
| 1941 | April's Kittens | ||
| 1942 | Make Way for Ducklings | ||
| 1942 | ' | ||
| 1942 | In My Mother's House | ||
| 1942 | Paddle-to-the-Sea | ||
| 1942 | Nothing at All | ||
| 1943 | ' | ||
| 1943 | Dash and Dart | ||
| 1943 | Marshmallow | ||
| 1944 | Many Moons | ||
| 1944 | ' | ||
| 1944 | Pierre Pidgeon | ||
| 1944 | ' | ||
| 1944 | ' | ||
| 1944 | ' | ||
| 1945 | Prayer for a Child | ||
| 1945 | Mother Goose | ||
| 1945 | In the Forest | ||
| 1945 | Yonie Wondernose | ||
| 1945 | ' | ||
| 1946 | ' | ||
| 1946 | Little Lost Lamb | ||
| 1946 | Sing Mother Goose | ||
| 1946 | My Mother Is the Most Beautiful Woman in the World | ||
| 1946 | You Can Write Chinese | ||
| 1947 | ' | ||
| 1947 | Rain Drop Splash | ||
| 1947 | Boats on the River | ||
| 1947 | Timothy Turtle | ||
| 1947 | Pedro, the Angel of Olvera Street | ||
| 1947 | ' | ||
| 1948 | White Snow, Bright Snow | ||
| 1948 | Stone Soup | ||
| 1948 | McElligot's Pool | ||
| 1948 | Bambino the Clown | ||
| 1948 | Roger and the Fox | ||
| 1948 | Song of Robin Hood | ||
| 1949 | ' | ||
| 1949 | Blueberries for Sal | ||
| 1949 | All Around the Town | ||
| 1949 | Juanita | ||
| 1949 | Fish in the Air | ||
| 1950 | Song of the Swallows | ||
| 1950 | America's Ethan Allen | ||
| 1950 | ' | ||
| 1950 | ' | ||
| 1950 | Bartholomew and the Oobleck | ||
| 1950 | Henry Fisherman | ||
| 1951 | ' | ||
| 1951 | Dick Whittington and His Cat | ||
| 1951 | ' | ||
| 1951 | If I Ran the Zoo | ||
| 1951 | ' | ||
| 1951 | T-Bone, the Baby Sitter | ||
| 1952 | Finders Keepers | ||
| 1952 | Mr. T. W. Anthony Woo | ||
| 1952 | Skipper John's Cook | ||
| 1952 | All Falling Down | ||
| 1952 | Bear Party | ||
| 1952 | Feather Mountain | ||
| 1953 | ' | ||
| 1953 | Puss in Boots | ||
| 1953 | One Morning in Maine | ||
| 1953 | ' | ||
| 1953 | ' | ||
| 1953 | Five Little Monkeys | ||
| 1954 | Madeline's Rescue | ||
| 1954 | Journey Cake, Ho! | ||
| 1954 | When Will the World Be Mine? | ||
| 1954 | ' | ||
| 1954 | ' | ||
| 1954 | Green Eyes | ||
| 1955 | Cinderella, or the Little Glass Slipper | ||
| 1955 | Book of Nursery and Mother Goose Rhymes | ||
| 1955 | Wheel on the Chimney | ||
| 1955 | ' | ||
| 1956 | Frog Went A-Courti | ||
| 1956 | Play With Me | ||
| 1956 | Crow Boy | ||
| 1957 | ' | ||
| 1957 | Mr. Penny's Race Horse | ||
| 1957 | |||
| 1957 | Anatole | ||
| 1957 | Gillespie and the Guards | ||
| 1957 | Lion | ||
| 1958 | Time of Wonder | ||
| 1958 | Fly High, Fly Low | ||
| 1958 | Anatole and the Cat | ||
| 1959 | Chanticleer and the Fox | ||
| 1959 | ' | ||
| 1959 | What Do You Say, Dear? | ||
| 1959 | Umbrella | ||
| 1960 | Nine Days to Christmas | ||
| 1960 | Houses from the Sea | ||
| 1960 | ' | ||
| 1961 | Baboushka and the Three Kings | ||
| 1961 | Inch by Inch | ||
| 1962 | Once a Mouse | ||
| 1962 | ' | ||
| 1962 | Little Bear's Visit | ||
| 1962 | ' | ||
| 1963 | ' | ||
| 1963 | ' | ||
| 1963 | Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present | ||
| 1964 | Where the Wild Things Are | ||
| 1964 | Swimmy | ||
| 1964 | All in the Morning Early | ||
| 1964 | Mother Goose and Nursery Rhymes | ||
| 1965 | May I Bring a Friend? | ||
| 1965 | Rain Makes Applesauce | ||
| 1965 | ' | ||
| 1965 | ' | ||
| 1966 | Always Room for One More | ||
| 1966 | Hide and Seek Fog | ||
| 1966 | Just Me | ||
| 1966 | Tom Tit Tot | ||
| 1967 | Sam, Bangs & Moonshine | ||
| 1967 | One Wide River to Cross | ||
| 1968 | Drummer Hoff | ||
| 1968 | Frederick | ||
| 1968 | Seashore Story | ||
| 1968 | ' | ||
| 1969 | ' | ||
| 1969 | Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky | ||
| 1970 | Sylvester and the Magic Pebble | ||
| 1970 | Goggles! | ||
| 1970 | Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse | ||
| 1970 | Pop Corn & Ma Goodness | ||
| 1970 | Thy Friend, Obadiah | ||
| 1970 | ' | ||
| 1971 | ' | ||
| 1971 | ' | ||
| 1971 | Frog and Toad Are Friends | ||
| 1971 | In the Night Kitchen | ||
| 1972 | One Fine Day | ||
| 1972 | Hildilid's Night | ||
| 1972 | If All the Seas Were One Sea | ||
| 1972 | ' | ||
| 1973 | ' | ||
| 1973 | ' | ||
| 1973 | Hosie's Alphabet | ||
| 1973 | Snow-White and the Seven Dwarfs | ||
| 1973 | When Clay Sings | ||
| 1974 | Duffy and the Devil | ||
| 1974 | Three Jovial Huntsmen | ||
| 1974 | Cathedral | ||
| 1975 | Arrow to the Sun | ||
| 1975 | ' | ||
| 1976 | Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears | ||
| 1976 | ' | ||
| 1976 | Strega Nona | ||
| 1977 | ' | ||
| 1977 | ' | ||
| 1977 | ' | ||
| 1977 | Fish for Supper | ||
| 1977 | ' | ||
| 1977 | Hawk, I'm Your Brother | ||
| 1978 | Noah's Ark | ||
| 1978 | Castle | ||
| 1978 | It Could Always Be Worse | ||
| 1979 | ' | ||
| 1979 | Freight Train | ||
| 1979 | ' | ||
| 1980 | Ox-Cart Man | ||
| 1980 | Ben's Trumpet | ||
| 1980 | ' | ||
| 1980 | ' | ||
| 1981 | Fables | ||
| 1981 | ' | ||
| 1981 | ' | ||
| 1981 | Mice Twice | ||
| 1981 | Truck | ||
| 1982 | Jumanji | ||
| 1982 | Where the Buffaloes Begin | ||
| 1982 | On Market Street | ||
| 1982 | Outside Over There | ||
| 1982 | ' | ||
| 1983 | Shadow | ||
| 1983 | ' | ||
| 1983 | When I Was Young in the Mountains | ||
| 1984 | ' | ||
| 1984 | Little Red Riding Hood | ||
| 1984 | Ten, Nine, Eight | ||
| 1985 | Saint George and the Dragon | ||
| 1985 | Hansel and Gretel | ||
| 1985 | Have You Seen My Duckling? | ||
| 1985 | ' | ||
| 1986 | ' | ||
| 1986 | ' | ||
| 1986 | King Bidgood's in the Bathtub | ||
| 1987 | Hey, Al | ||
| 1987 | ' | ||
| 1987 | Alphabatics | ||
| 1987 | Rumpelstiltskin | ||
| 1988 | Owl Moon | ||
| 1988 | ' | ||
| 1989 | Song and Dance Man | ||
| 1989 | ' | ||
| 1989 | Free Fall | ||
| 1989 | Goldilocks and the Three Bears | ||
| 1989 | Mirandy and Brother Wind | ||
| 1990 | ' | ||
| 1990 | ' | ||
| 1990 | Color Zoo | ||
| 1990 | ' | ||
| 1990 | Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins | ||
| 1991 | Black and White | ||
| 1991 | Puss in Boots | ||
| 1991 | |||
| 1992 | Tuesday | ||
| 1992 | Tar Beach | ||
| 1993 | Mirette on the High Wire | ||
| 1993 | ' | ||
| 1993 | Seven Blind Mice | ||
| 1993 | Working Cotton | ||
| 1994 | Grandfather's Journey | ||
| 1994 | Peppe the Lamplighter | ||
| 1994 | In the Small, Small Pond | ||
| 1994 | ' | ||
| 1994 | Owen | ||
| 1994 | Yo! Yes? | ||
| 1995 | Smoky Night | ||
| 1995 | John Henry | ||
| 1995 | Swamp Angel | ||
| 1995 | Time Flies | ||
| 1996 | Officer Buckle and Gloria | ||
| 1996 | Alphabet City | ||
| 1996 | Zin! Zin! Zin! a Violin | ||
| 1996 | ' | ||
| 1996 | Tops & Bottoms | ||
| 1997 | Golem | ||
| 1997 | ' | ||
| 1997 | ' | ||
| 1997 | ' | ||
| 1997 | Starry Messenger | ||
| 1998 | Rapunzel | ||
| 1998 | ' | ||
| 1998 | Harlem | ||
| 1998 | There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly | ||
| 1999 | Snowflake Bentley | ||
| 1999 | ' | ||
| 1999 | No, David! | ||
| 1999 | Snow | ||
| 1999 | Tibet Through the Red Box | ||
| 2000 | Joseph Had a Little Overcoat | ||
| 2000 | ' | ||
| 2000 | Sector 7 | ||
| 2000 | When Sophie Gets Angry-Really, Really Angry | ||
| 2000 | ' | ||
| 2001 | So You Want to Be President? | ||
| 2001 | Casey at the Bat | ||
| 2001 | ' | ||
| 2001 | Olivia | ||
| 2002 | ' | ||
| 2002 | ' | ||
| 2002 | ' | ||
| 2002 | ' | ||
| 2003 | My Friend Rabbit | ||
| 2003 | ' | ||
| 2003 | Hondo & Fabian | ||
| 2003 | Noah's Ark | ||
| 2004 | ' | ||
| 2004 | Ella Sarah Gets Dressed | ||
| 2004 | and | What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? | |
| 2004 | Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! | ||
| 2005 | Kitten's First Full Moon | ||
| 2005 | ' | ||
| 2005 | Coming on Home Soon | ||
| 2005 | ' | ||
| 2006 | ' | ||
| 2006 | Rosa | ||
| 2006 | Zen Shorts | ||
| 2006 | ' | ||
| 2006 | Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems | ||
| 2007 | Flotsam | ||
| 2007 | ' | ||
| 2007 | ' | ||
| 2008 | ' | ||
| 2008 | ' | ||
| 2008 | First the Egg | ||
| 2008 | ' | ||
| 2008 | ' | ||
| 2009 | ' | ||
| 2009 | |||
| 2009 | How I Learned Geography | ||
| 2009 | ' | ||
| 2010 | ' | ||
| 2010 | All the World | ||
| 2010 | ' | ||
| 2011 | ' | ||
| 2011 | ' | ||
| 2011 | Interrupting Chicken | ||
| 2012 | ' | ||
| 2012 | Blackout | ||
| 2012 | Grandpa Green | ||
| 2012 | Me...Jane | ||
| 2013 | This is Not My Hat | ||
| 2013 | Creepy Carrots! | ||
| 2013 | Extra Yarn | ||
| 2013 | Green | ||
| 2013 | One Cool Friend | ||
| 2013 | Sleep Like a Tiger | ||
| 2014 | Locomotive | ||
| 2014 | Journey | ||
| 2014 | Flora and the Flamingo | ||
| 2014 | Mr. Wuffles! | ||
| 2015 | |||
| 2015 | Nana in the City | ||
| 2015 | ' | ||
| 2015 | Sam & Dave Dig a Hole | ||
| 2015 | Viva Frida | ||
| 2015 | |||
| 2015 | This One Summer | ||
| 2016 | ' | ||
| 2016 | Trombone Shorty | ||
| 2016 | Waiting | ||
| 2016 | ' | ||
| 2016 | Last Stop on Market Street | ||
| 2017 | ' | ||
| 2017 | Leave Me Alone! | ||
| 2017 | Freedom in Congo Square | ||
| 2017 | Du Iz Tak? | ||
| 2017 | They All Saw a Cat | ||
| 2018 | Wolf in the Snow | ||
| 2018 | Big Cat, little cat | ||
| 2018 | ' | ||
| 2018 | ' | ||
| 2018 | Grand Canyon | ||
| 2019 | Hello Lighthouse | ||
| 2019 | Alma and How She Got Her Name | ||
| 2019 | ' | ||
| 2019 | ' | ||
| 2019 | Thank You, Omu! | ||
| 2020 | ' | ||
| 2020 | Bear Came Along | ||
| 2020 | Double Bass Blues | ||
| 2020 | Going Down Home with Daddy |
Multiple award winners
Listed below are all illustrators who have won at least two Caldecott Medals or who have won a Medal and multiple honors.| Illustrator | Nos. of total Medals and Honors | Nos. of Caldecott Medals | Caldecott Medals | Nos. of Caldecott Honors | Caldecott Honors |
| 9 | 3 | 1955, 1962, 1983 | 6 | 1948, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954 | |
| 8 | 1 | 1964 | 7 | 1954, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1971, 1982 | |
| 6 | 1 | 1960 | 5 | 1945, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1966 | |
| 6 | 1 | 2010 | 5 | 1989, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2003 | |
| 6 | 3 | 1992, 2002, 2007 | 3 | 1989, 2000, 2014 | |
| 5 | 2 | 1942, 1958 | 3 | 1949, 1953, 1954 | |
| 4 | 1 | 1985 | 3 | 1984, 1990, 2000 | |
| 4 | 1 | 1973 | 3 | 1965, 1969, 1971 | |
| 4 | 1 | 1967 | 3 | 1964, 1965, 1966 | |
| 4 | 1 | 1969 | 3 | 1980, 1999, 2009 | |
| 4 | 1 | 1998 | 3 | 1985, 1987, 1995 | |
| 3 | 1 | 1989 | 2 | 1982, 1986 | |
| 3 | 1 | 2013 | 2 | 2013, 2015 | |
| 3 | 1 | 1941 | 2 | 1938, 1939 | |
| 3 | 2 | 1966, 1972 | 1 | 1977 | |
| 3 | 1 | 1949 | 2 | 1940, 1944 | |
| 3 | 1 | 2005 | 2 | 1994, 2016 | |
| 3 | 1 | 1981 | 2 | 1971, 1972 | |
| 3 | 1 | 1991 | 2 | 1974, 1978 | |
| 3 | 1 | 1975 | 2 | 1973, 1994 | |
| Kadir Nelson | 3 | 1 | 2020 | 2 | 2007, 2008 |
| 3 | 1 | 1950 | 2 | 1947, 1949 | |
| 3 | 2 | 2006, 2012 | 1 | 1994 | |
| 3 | 1 | 1957 | 2 | 1950, 2002 | |
| 3 | 1 | 2001 | 2 | 1998, 2013 | |
| 3 | 2 | 1982, 1986 | 1 | 1980 | |
| 3 | 1 | 1947 | 2 | 1946, 1947 | |
| 3 | 1 | 1990 | 2 | 1968, 1993 | |
| 3 | 1 | 1974 | 2 | 1970, 1978 | |
| 2 | 2 | 2016, 2019 | |||
| 2 | 2 | 1959, 1980 | |||
| 2 | 2 | 1976, 1977 |