Caldecott Medal facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Caldecott Medal
Presented by	Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association
Country	United States
First awarded	1938; 87 years ago (1938)

The Randolph Caldecott Medal, often called the Caldecott, is a special award given each year. It celebrates the "most distinguished American picture book for children" from the year before. This award goes to the illustrator (the artist who draws the pictures) of the book. It's given by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), which is part of the American Library Association (ALA).

The Caldecott Medal and the Newbery Medal are known as the most important American awards for children's books. Besides the main Caldecott Medal, the committee also chooses other great books. These are called Caldecott Honor or Caldecott Honor Books. There can be between one and five Honor Books each year.

Frederic G. Melcher first suggested the Caldecott Medal in 1937. The award is named after Randolph Caldecott, a famous English illustrator. The medal itself has two of Caldecott's own drawings on it. These designs haven't changed since the award started. The way winners are chosen has changed a few times. For example, in 1971, they officially started using the term "Honor" for the runner-up books.

To be considered for a Caldecott, a book must be published in English in the United States first. The artist who drew the pictures must also be an American. A special committee votes for the winner in January or February. They use a point system to pick the best book. The committee looks for "distinguished illustrations in a picture book and for excellence of pictorial presentation for children."

Winning the Caldecott Medal can make a book much more popular. It also helps the illustrators become more well-known. Marcia Brown is an artist and author who has won the Caldecott Medal three times. She also has six Honor Books. In recent years, more books with diverse characters and by diverse illustrators have been recognized.

How the Caldecott Medal Started

Frederic G. Melcher first suggested the idea for the Caldecott Award after the Newbery Award became popular.

The idea for the Caldecott Medal came from Frederic G. Melcher in 1937. He was an editor for Publishers Weekly. This was after the Newbery Medal was created in 1921. The American Library Association liked Melcher's idea. They agreed to give a medal to the artist who made "the most distinguished picture book of the year." Children's literature expert Leonard S. Marcus said this award helped more American artists create children's books.

The award rules have been updated over the years. The most recent changes happened in 2009. When the award first began, books could be considered for either the Newbery or the Caldecott. The same committee judged both awards. They also noted other good books, which were called "runner-ups." In 1971, these books were officially named Caldecott Honor books. This name was even used for past runner-ups.

In 1977, books could be considered for both awards. Starting in 1980, different committees were formed for each award. Before 1958, a previous winner could only win again if every committee member voted for them. In 1963, two illustrators could win the award together for the first time.

The Medal Itself

This drawing by Randolph Caldecott (1878) from The Diverting History of John Gilpin is on the front of the medal.

The award is named after Randolph Caldecott, an English illustrator from the 1800s. Rene Paul Chambellan designed the medal in 1937. The front of the medal shows a scene from Caldecott's book The Diverting History of John Gilpin. It shows John Gilpin riding a runaway horse. The back of the medal is based on Caldecott's drawing for the nursery rhyme "Sing a Song of Sixpence". It shows "Four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie."

Each winning illustrator gets a bronze copy of this medal. Even though the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) gives the award now, the medal still says "Children's Librarian's Section." This is because that was the original group that gave out the award.

What Makes a Book Eligible?

Randolph Caldecott, the artist the medal is named after, was an English illustrator. Maurice Sendak said Caldecott's work started the modern picture book.

A picture book for the Caldecott award is one that gives "a visual experience." This means the story, theme, or idea of the book is shown through its pictures. The award is for "distinguished illustrations in a picture book and for excellence of pictorial presentation for children."

The committee judges the illustrations based on several things:

• The artistic skill used.
• How well the pictures show the story and its themes.
• How well the pictures and story fit together.
• How accurately the pictures show characters and feelings.
• How well the illustrations work for the children who will read the book.

Honor books must meet these same standards. The book should also be complete on its own. It shouldn't need other things like movies or games to be enjoyed. The words in the book or its overall design can also be considered. This is because they affect how good the illustrations are.

To be eligible, the artist must be a US citizen or live in the US. The book must be published in English in the United States first. It can also be published at the same time in other countries. Picture books for kids up to age 14 can be considered. In 2019, children's literature expert Leonard S. Marcus suggested that the award should include picture books from all over the world.

How Winners Are Chosen

The committee that chooses the Caldecott Award winner has fifteen members from ALSC. Seven members are chosen by all ALSC members. Eight members, including the leader, are chosen by the ALSC President. Members are picked based on their experience. They also make sure different types of libraries (like public and school libraries) and different places are represented.

Publishers send copies of books to the committee. In 2009, each member received over 700 books! However, a book doesn't have to be sent to the committee to be considered. Committee members suggest seven books in three rounds throughout the year. They also informally recommend other books.

The committee meets in late January or early February at ALSC's midwinter meeting. There, they talk about the nominated books. Then, they vote for the winner. When voting, committee members list their first, second, and third choices. First-place votes get four points, second-place gets three points, and third-place gets two points. The winning book must get at least eight first-place votes. It also needs to be at least eight points ahead of the second-place book.

After the winner is chosen, the committee decides if they will name any Honor Books. These can be chosen from the books that were close to winning. Or, they can be chosen in a separate vote. The winner and Honor Books are kept secret until they are announced to the public. The committee calls the winning illustrators on the morning of the announcement.

Caldecott Award Winners and Honor Books

Thomas Handforth won the second Caldecott Medal for his book Mei Li. It was based on a girl he met during his travels.

Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire won the third Caldecott Medal in 1940. They worked together as a writing and illustrating team.

Leo Politi (left) won the Caldecott Medal and two honors. He was called the Italian Dr. Seuss.

Beni Montresor, who won in 1965, said he created operas and children's books the same way: "I must astonish and amaze myself first."

Two of Chris Van Allsburg's Caldecott winning books have been made into movies.

Ed Young won the 1990 Caldecott Medal for his Chinese version of Little Red Riding Hood.

Before winning the Medal in 1991, David Macaulay had hoped to be recognized for his earlier books.

Marla Frazee has won three honors. She also wrote and illustrated Boss Baby.

Caldecott winner Dan Santat chose to keep illustrating children's books instead of working full-time for Google.

Brian Selznick's book The Invention of Hugo Cabret was the first novel to win the Caldecott.

Mo Willems has also won other ALA awards for his early reader books.

Jillian Tamaki's 2015 winner This One Summer was the first graphic novel to win a Caldecott Honor.

Patrick McDonnell mentioned Jane Goodall in his Mutts comic strip. This led to his 2012 honor book Me... Jane.

Erin E. Stead (left) won the 2011 Caldecott for her very first book. It was written by her husband, Phillip (right).

Yuyi Morales was the first Latina Caldecott winner in 2016.

Last Stop on Market Street won its author a Newbery Medal. The illustrator, Christian Robinson (pictured), won a Caldecott Honor.

Javaka Steptoe (pictured), the 2017 winner, is the son of John Steptoe, who won two honors.

Mary GrandPré, a 2015 Caldecott Honor recipient, illustrated the covers for the US Harry Potter books.

Vashti Harrison, who won the 2024 Caldecott for her first picture book Big, was the first African-American woman to win the award.

Illustrators with Multiple Awards

David Wiesner and Marcia Brown are the only two illustrators to have won three Caldecott Medals.

Jon Klassen is one of the few Caldecott winners to also have an Honor book in the same year.

Kadir Nelson's art is so good that museums like the Smithsonian have bought it.

Sophie Blackall is the most recent illustrator to win the Caldecott Medal more than once.

Here are the illustrators who have won at least two Caldecott Medals. This list also includes those who have won one Medal and many Honor books.

See Also

• Kate Greenaway Medal, for illustration of a British children's book
• Theodor Seuss Geisel Award, for an American book for beginning readers