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Caldecott Medal

The Caldecott Medal is awarded each year for the preceding year’s most distinguished American picture book for children. Runners-up are called Caldecott Honor Books.

The award was named in honor of the nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott.

The Caldecott Medal and the Newbery Medal are the most prestigious of American children’s book awards.

Learn more: official Caldecott Medal homepage


Winners:

Animals of the Bible a Picture Book (1937)

Selections from the Bible with illustrations of the animals described.

Read online at archive.org

Author(s): Helen Dean Fish
Illustrator(s): Dorothy P. Lathrop

Details »

Mei Li (1938)

Author(s): Thomas Handforth
Illustrator(s): Thomas Handforth


They Were Strong and Good (1940)

Robert Lawson tells the story of his parents and grandparents, and illustrates it too.

Author(s): Robert Lawson
Illustrator(s): Robert Lawson

Details »

Make Way for Ducklings (1941)

Mrs. Mallard proudly parades her ducklings to the Boston Public Garden.

Read online at archive.org. 

Author(s): Robert McCloskey
Illustrator(s): Robert McCloskey

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The Little House (1942)

The Little House gets a new lease on life when she moves to the country.

Read online at archive.org

Author(s): Virginia Lee Burton
Illustrator(s): Virginia Lee Burton

Details »

Many Moons (1943)

When the Princess Lenore falls ill of a surfeit of raspberry tarts, the only thing that can cure her is the Moon. But how will her father the King get it for her?

Read online at archive.org.

Author(s): James Thurber
Illustrator(s): Louis Slobodkin

Details »

Prayer for a Child (1945)

Author(s): Rachel Field
Illustrator(s): Elizabeth Orton Jones


The Little Island (1946)

The little island through the seasons, and a visit from a little cat.

Read online at archive.org

Author(s): Golden MacDonald
Illustrator(s): Leonard Weisgard

Details »

White Snow, Bright Snow (1947)

Author(s): Alvin Tresselt
Illustrator(s): Roger Duvoisin


The Big Snow (1948)

The woodland animals were all getting ready for the winter. Geese flew south, rabbits and deer grew thick warm coats, and the raccoons and chipmunks lay down for a long winter nap. It was a sure sign that the big snow was on its way. The authors feature in this winter story.

Author(s): Berta Hader
Elmer Hader
Illustrator(s): Berta Hader
Elmer Hader

Details »

Song of the Swallows (1949)

Author(s): Leo Politi
Illustrator(s): Leo Politi


The Egg Tree (1950)

Author(s): Katherine Milhous
Illustrator(s): Katherine Milhous


Finders Keepers (1951)

Author(s): Will
Illustrator(s): Nicholas


The Biggest Bear (1952)

When Johnny Orchard goes hunting for a bear he comes home with a cub, but that’s not the end of the story.

Read online at archive.org

Author(s): Lynd Ward
Illustrator(s): Lynd Ward

Details »

Madeline’s Rescue (1953)

Madeline falls in the Seine and is rescued by Miss Genevieve, a dog.

Read online at archive.org

Author(s): Ludwig Bemelmans
Illustrator(s): Ludwig Bemelmans

Details »

Cinderella, or the Little Glass Slipper (1955)

Author(s): Charles Perrault
Illustrator(s): Marcia J. Brown


Frog Went A-Courtin’ (1955)

Frog went a-courtin’, he did ride
Sword and pistol by his side.

Read online at archive.org

Author(s): John Langstaff
Illustrator(s): Feodor Rojankovsky

Details »

A Tree Is Nice (1956)

Author(s): Janice May Udry
Illustrator(s): Marc Simont