The Caldecott Medal

For Ages 5-9 (K-2)

The House in the Night A Sick Day for Amos McGee

Watercress

Connecting Through Story

Kitten’s First Full Moon

Fostering Compassion

ReAd mY bOoK!

Learning New Perspectives The Adventures of Beekle

CALDECOTT ENCOURAGES CHILDREN’S GROWTH BY:

FiNd a

Are animals your favorite story companions?

2.

2018 WOLF IN THE SNOW Art by: Matthew Cordell

9.

2010

THE CALDECOTT VILLAGE

THE LION & THE MOUSE Art by: Jerry Pinkney

WeLcOmE tO tHe WoRlD oF CaLdEcOtT, wHeRe yOu cHoOsE yOuR nExT aDvEnTuRe!

6.

Do heartfelt moments speak to you?

15.

Cj rIdEs tHe bUs wItH NaNa aNd dIsCoVeRs tHe bEaUtY aNd jOy iN hElPiNg oThErS.

2021 OUTSIDE IN

5.

7.

OfFiCeR BuCkLe aNd GlOrIa, tHe pOlIcE dOg, tEaM uP tO mAkE sAfEtY fUn aNd dIsCoVeR tHe pOwEr oF tEaMwOrK.

A gIrL dRaWs a dOoR wItH a rEd mArKeR aNd eNtErS a wOrLd oF wOnDeR aNd lImItLeSs iMaGiNaTiOn.

Art by: Cindy Derby

10.

2020 THE UNDEFEATED Art by: Kadir Nelson

3.

Kitten’s First Full Moon (2005) 1967

Do you find happiness in everyday moments?

A Sick Day for Amos McGee (2011)

3.

2016 LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET Art by: Christian Robinson

4.

Art by: Erin E. Stead

Amos, a devoted zookeeper, falls ill one day, but his animal friends come to return his care.

SaM lOvEs tElLiNg bIg, mAdE-uP sToRiEs, bUt hE lEaRnS tHaT tAlL tAlEs hAvE cOnSeQuEnCeS.

2006 THE HELLO, GOODBYE WINDOW

2.

Art by: Chris Raschka

A gIrL rEsCuEs a lOsT wOlF cUb dUrInG a rAgInG sToRm, hElPiNg tHeM fInD tHeIr wAy hOmE.

The Adventures of Beekle (2015) Art by: Dan zSantat

Are you fascinated by scientific wonders and mysteries?

14.

Kitten mistakes the moon for milk and begins a determined, humorous quest to reach it.

A gIrL sHaReS lOvE aNd mAgIcAl mOmEnTs wItH hEr gRaNdPaReNtS tHrOuGh tHeIr sPeCiAl kItChEn wInDoW.

Art by: Evaline Ness

6.

Art by: Kevin Henkes

4.

SAM, BANGS & MOONSHINE

Beekle, an imaginary friend sets off to the real world to find his human companion.

1999 SNOWFLAKE BENTLEY Art by: Mary Azarian

1.

An oWl fUlFiLlS hIs dReAm oF kNiGhThOoD aNd oUtSmArTs a dRaGoN tO sAvE tHe cAsTlE.

a sToRy tHaT cUlTiVaTeS yOuR cHiLd’s lEaRnInG

Is your family what matters most to you?

12.

2021 WE ARE WATER PROTECTORS Art by: Michaela Goade

12.

11.

1994 GRANDFATHER’S JOURNEY

A gIrL bEcOmEs a wAtEr pRoTeCtOr, fIgHtInG tO kEeP tHe wAtEr sAfE fRoM pOlLuTiOn.

Art by: Allen Say

9.

13.

A mOuSe rEpAyS A lIoN’s kInDnEsS, sHoWiNg tHaT sMaLl aCtS cAn mAkE a bIg iMpAcT.

1988 OWL MOON Art by: John Schoenherr

11.

A bOy rEfLeCtS oN hIs gRaNdFaThEr’s jOuRnEy bEtWeEn JaPaN aNd AmErIcA, fInDiNg bElOnGiNg iN bOtH.

8.

10.

AnNaBeLlE tRaNsFoRmS hEr gRaY tOwN iNtO a vIbRaNt pLaCe wItH a mAgIcAl bOx oF eNdLeSs yArN.

ThE pOeM hOnOrS tHe sTrEnGtH aNd rEsIlIeNcE oF BlAcK AmErIcAnS, cEleBrAtInG tHeIr cOuRaGe aNd tRiUmPhS.

Or is friendship what you cherish most?

1.

2023 KNIGHT OWL Art by: Christopher Denise

5.

1996 OFFICER BUCKLE AND GLORIA Art by: Peggy Rathmann

15. tHe OuTsIdE lOoKs iN aT hUmAn sPaCeS, lOnGiNg tO bE iNcLuDeD aNd rEmInDiNg uS oF iTs bEaUtY aNd iMpOrTaNcE.

Watercress (2022) Art by: Michaela Goade

A girl learns to appreciate her heritage through her family’s roadside watercress gathering.

Do you dream of magical worlds?

13.

7.

A gIrL jOiNs hEr fAtHeR oN a qUiEt jOuRnEy tO fInD aN oWl, dIsCoVeRiNg nAtUrE’s bEaUtY aNd tHeIr bOnD.

2014 JOURNEY Art by: Aaron Becker

8.

2013 EXTRA YARN Art by: Jon Klassen

The House in the Night (2009) Art by: Beth Krommes

A child unlocks the magic of a house, discovering light, comfort, and the wonder of the night sky.

14.

WiLsOn BeNtLeY dEdIcAtEs hIs lIfE tO pHoToGrApHiNg sNoWfLaKeS, sHoWcAsInG tHeIr bEaUtY tO tHe wOrLd.

Building Self-Awareness

Developing Self-Reflection Skills

Conveying Cultural Values

Meeting Diverse Characters The Caldecott Medal

The Caldecott Honor

The Caldecott Medal, awarded annually by the American Library Association, recognizes the most distinguished American children’s picture book of the previous year.

Named after English illustrator Randolph J. Caldecott, this medal complements the Newbery Medal, which is given to books for elementary to middle school readers. The physical medal, designed in 1937 by René Paul Chambellan, is awarded to one book per year, while runners-up are designated as “Honor Books.”

The Caldecott Medal honors illustration’s role in storytelling, celebrating books where visual art deepens the narrative. These illustrations convey cultural nuances and emotions, enhancing readers’ connection to the story and enriching their understanding of its themes.