Caldecott Medal Explained

Caldecott Medal
Awarded For:	"the most distinguished American picture book for children"
Presenter:	Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association
Country:	United States

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 (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). The Caldecott and Newbery Medals are considered the most prestigious American children's book awards. Besides the Caldecott Medal, the committee awards a variable number of citations to runners-up 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. Unchanged since its founding, the medal, which is given to every winner, features two of Caldecott's illustrations. The awarding process has changed several times over the years, including the use of the term "Honor" for the runner-ups beginning in 1971. There have been between one and five honor books named each year.

To be eligible for a Caldecott, the book must be 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 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 increase 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.^[1] 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."^[2] According to children's literature expert Leonard S. Marcus, the award helped draw American artists into the field of children's books.^[3]

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 Caldecott 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 it was only in 1963 when 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 (Routledge, 1878, an edition of the 1782 poem by William Cowper), which depicts John Gilpin astride a runaway horse.^[4] 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 (ALSC), 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 storyline, 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 the age of 14 may be considered. In December 2019, children's literature expert Leonard S. 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.^[5]

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. Consideration is also done to ensure a diversity of libraries (e.g. public and school, small and large), and geographical areas are represented as well.^[6] Publishers send copies of books to the committee; in 2009, each member 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.^[7] This proposal was met with both support and criticism by former committee members and recognized authors.^[8] ^[9], no change has been made.

Impact and analysis

The Caldecott and Newbery awards have historically been considered the most important children's book awards.^[10] ^[11] 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 Ares 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.^[12] 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.^[13] 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.^[14] In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of minority characters and illustrators recognized.^[15] ^[16] 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.^[17]

Recipients

Winners and Honor Books
Year	Illustrator	Book	Award
<	--Year-->1938		Animals of the Bible
		Four and Twenty Blackbirds

<	--Year-->1939		Mei Li
		Andy and the Lion
		Barkis

		Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
		Wee Gillis
<	--Year-->1940		Abraham Lincoln
		Cock-a-Doodle Doo
		Madeline

<	--Year-->1941		They Were Strong and Good
<		April's Kittens
<	--Year-->1942		Make Way for Ducklings

		In My Mother's House
		Paddle-to-the-Sea
		Nothing at All
<	--Year-->1943
		Dash and Dart
		Marshmallow
<	--Year-->1944		Many Moons

		Pierre Pidgeon



<	--Year-->1945		Prayer for a Child
		Mother Goose
		In the Forest
		Yonie Wondernose

<	--Year-->1946
		Little Lost Lamb
		Sing Mother Goose
		My Mother Is the Most Beautiful Woman in the World
		You Can Write Chinese
<	--Year-->1947
		Rain Drop Splash
		Boats on the River
		Timothy Turtle
		Pedro, the Angel of Olvera Street

<	--Year-->1948		White Snow, Bright Snow
		Stone Soup
		McElligot's Pool
		Bambino the Clown
		Roger and the Fox
		Song of Robin Hood
<	--Year-->1949
		Blueberries for Sal
		All Around the Town
		Juanita
		Fish in the Air
<	--Year-->1950		Song of the Swallows
		America's Ethan Allen


		Bartholomew and the Oobleck
		Henry Fisherman
<	--Year-->1951
		Dick Whittington and His Cat

		If I Ran the Zoo

		T-Bone, the Baby Sitter
<	--Year-->1952		Finders Keepers
		Mr. T. W. Anthony Woo
		Skipper John's Cook
		All Falling Down
		Bear Party
		Feather Mountain
<	--Year-->1953
		Puss in Boots
		One Morning in Maine


		Five Little Monkeys
<	--Year-->1954		Madeline's Rescue
		Journey Cake, Ho!
		When Will the World Be Mine?


		Green Eyes
<	--Year-->1955		Cinderella, or the Little Glass Slipper
		Book of Nursery and Mother Goose Rhymes
		Wheel on the Chimney

<	--Year-->1956		Frog Went A-Courtin'
		Play With Me
		Crow Boy
<	--Year-->1957
		Mr. Penny's Race Horse

		Anatole
		Gillespie and the Guards
		Lion
<	--Year-->1958		Time of Wonder
		Fly High, Fly Low
		Anatole and the Cat
<	--Year-->1959		Chanticleer and the Fox

		What Do You Say, Dear?
		Umbrella
<	--Year-->1960		Nine Days to Christmas
		Houses from the Sea

<	--Year-->1961		Baboushka and the Three Kings
<		Inch by Inch
<	--Year-->1962		Once a Mouse

		Little Bear's Visit

<	--Year-->1963

		Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present
<	--Year-->1964		Where the Wild Things Are
		Swimmy
		All in the Morning Early
		Mother Goose and Nursery Rhymes
<	--Year-->1965		May I Bring a Friend?
		Rain Makes Applesauce


<	--Year-->1966		Always Room for One More
		Hide and Seek Fog
		Just Me
		Tom Tit Tot
<	--Year-->1967		Sam, Bangs & Moonshine
<		One Wide River to Cross
<	--Year-->1968		Drummer Hoff
		Frederick
		Seashore Story

<	--Year-->1969
<		Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky
<	--Year-->1970		Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
		Goggles!
		Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse
		Pop Corn & Ma Goodness
		Thy Friend, Obadiah

<	--Year-->1971

		Frog and Toad Are Friends
		In the Night Kitchen
<	--Year-->1972		One Fine Day
		Hildilid's Night
		If All the Seas Were One Sea

<	--Year-->1973

		Hosie's Alphabet
		Snow-White and the Seven Dwarfs
		When Clay Sings
<	--Year-->1974		Duffy and the Devil
		Three Jovial Huntsmen
		Cathedral
<	--Year-->1975		Arrow to the Sun
<
<	--Year-->1976		Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears

		Strega Nona
<	--Year-->1977


		Fish for Supper

		Hawk, I'm Your Brother
<	--Year-->1978		Noah's Ark
		Castle
		It Could Always Be Worse
<	--Year-->1979
		Freight Train

<	--Year-->1980		Ox-Cart Man
		Ben's Trumpet


<	--Year-->1981		Fables


		Mice Twice
		Truck
<	--Year-->1982		Jumanji
		Where the Buffaloes Begin
		On Market Street
		Outside Over There

<	--Year-->1983		Shadow

		When I Was Young in the Mountains
<	--Year-->1984
		Little Red Riding Hood
		Ten, Nine, Eight
<	--Year-->1985		Saint George and the Dragon
		Hansel and Gretel
		Have You Seen My Duckling?

<	--Year-->1986

		King Bidgood's in the Bathtub
<	--Year-->1987		Hey, Al

		Alphabatics
		Rumpelstiltskin
<	--Year-->1988		Owl Moon
<		Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters
<	--Year-->1989		Song and Dance Man

		Free Fall
		Goldilocks and the Three Bears
		Mirandy and Brother Wind
<	--Year-->1990

		Color Zoo

		Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins
<	--Year-->1991		Black and White
		Puss in Boots

<	--Year-->1992		Tuesday
<		Tar Beach
<	--Year-->1993		Mirette on the High Wire

		Seven Blind Mice
		Working Cotton
<	--Year-->1994		Grandfather's Journey
		Peppe the Lamplighter
		In the Small, Small Pond

		Owen
		Yo! Yes?
<	--Year-->1995		Smoky Night
		John Henry
		Swamp Angel
		Time Flies
<	--Year-->1996		Officer Buckle and Gloria
		Alphabet City
		Zin! Zin! Zin! a Violin

		Tops & Bottoms
<	--Year-->1997		Golem



		Starry Messenger
<	--Year-->1998		Rapunzel

		Harlem
		There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
<	--Year-->1999		Snowflake Bentley

		No, David!
		Snow
		Tibet Through the Red Box
<	--Year-->2000		Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

		Sector 7
		When Sophie Gets Angry-Really, Really Angry

<	--Year-->2001		So You Want to Be President?
		Casey at the Bat

		Olivia
<	--Year-->2002



<	--Year-->2003		My Friend Rabbit

		Hondo & Fabian
		Noah's Ark
<	--Year-->2004
		Ella Sarah Gets Dressed
	and	What Do You Do with a Tail Like This?
		Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
<	--Year-->2005		Kitten's First Full Moon

		Coming on Home Soon
		Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale
<	--Year-->2006
		Rosa
		Zen Shorts

		Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems
<	--Year-->2007		Flotsam


<	--Year-->2008

		First the Egg


<	--Year-->2009

		How I Learned Geography

<	--Year-->2010
		All the World

<	--Year-->2011

		Interrupting Chicken
<	--Year-->2012
		Blackout
		Grandpa Green
		Me... Jane
<	--Year-->2013		This is Not My Hat
		Creepy Carrots!
		Extra Yarn
		Green
		One Cool Friend
		Sleep Like a Tiger
<	--Year-->2014		Locomotive
		Journey
		Flora and the Flamingo
		Mr. Wuffles!
<	--Year-->2015
		Nana in the City

		Sam and Dave Dig a Hole
		Viva Frida

		This One Summer
<	--Year-->2016
		Trombone Shorty
		Waiting

		Last Stop on Market Street
<	--Year-->2017
		Leave Me Alone!
		Freedom in Congo Square
		Du Iz Tak?
		They All Saw a Cat
<	--Year-->2018		Wolf in the Snow
		Big Cat, little cat


		Grand Canyon
<	--Year-->2019		Hello Lighthouse
		Alma and How She Got Her Name


		Thank You, Omu!
<	--Year-->2020
		Bear Came Along
		Double Bass Blues
		Going Down Home with Daddy
<	--Year-->2021		We Are Water Protectors


		Me & Mama
		Outside In
<	--Year-->2022		Watercress



		Wonder Walkers
<	--Year-->2023		Hot Dog



		Knight Owl
<	--Year-->2024	Vashti Harrison	Big
	Marla Frazee	In Every Life
	Molly Mendoza
	Jerome Pumphrey and Jarrett Pumphrey	There Was a Party for Langston
	Hanna Cha	The Truth About Dragons

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! scope="col"
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

References

Citations

Web site: Randolph Caldecott Medal Committee Manual (formatted August 2012) . June 2009 . Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC). American Library Association (ALA). . May 3, 2013 . November 10, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131110130328/http://www.ala.org/alsc/sites/ala.org.alsc/files/content/caldecott_manual_9Oct2009.pdf . live .

Notes and References

Book: [[Association for Library Service to Children]]. The Newbery & Caldecott Awards : a guide to the medal and honor books. American Library Association. 2018. 978-0-8389-1730-5. Chicago. 1020310919.
Web site: The Randolph Caldecott Medal. November 30, 1999. Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC). en. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190921013513/http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/aboutcaldecott/aboutcaldecott. September 21, 2019. December 30, 2019.
Web site: A Short History of the Newbery and Caldecott Medals. Maughan. Shannon. December 2, 2011. Publishers Weekly. en. January 1, 2020. January 1, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200101211731/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/49729-and-the-winner-is.html. live.
Web site: Rare Book of the Month: Caldecott for Christmas Library of Congress Blog. Gettins. Elizabeth. December 18, 2017. blogs.loc.gov. December 30, 2019. December 7, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191207033425/https://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2017/12/rare-book-of-the-month-caldecott-for-christmas/. live.
News: The Caldecott Medal Needs an International Makeover. Marcus. Leonard S.. December 12, 2019. The New York Times. December 15, 2019. en-US. 0362-4331. December 14, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191214001010/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/12/books/review/make-caldecott-medal-international.html. live.
Web site: August 2015. Randolph Caldecott Medal Committee Manual. January 1, 2020. Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC). American Library Association. docx. December 30, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191230233613/http://www.ala.org/alsc/sites/ala.org.alsc/files/content/caldecott_manual_august2015_current%20on%20website.docx. live.
Web site: I Could Tell You About the Newbery and Caldecott Committees. But I Can't. Up for Debate. Horning. Kathleen T.. June 3, 2016. School Library Journal. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190101100358/https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=i-could-tell-you-about-the-newbery-and-caldecott-committees-but-i-cant-up-for-debate. January 1, 2019. December 31, 2018.
Web site: Let Book Awards Committee Members Blab Up for Debate. Spicer. Ed. June 3, 2016. School Library Journal. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190101051438/https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=let-book-awards-committee-members-blab-up-for-debate. January 1, 2019. December 31, 2018.
Web site: Why You Don't Want To Know More About the Newbery and Caldecott Up for Debate. Santat. Dan. June 3, 2016. School Library Journal. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190101100400/https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=why-you-dont-want-to-know-more-about-the-newbery-and-caldecott-up-for-debate. January 1, 2019. December 31, 2018.
News: January 12, 1988. Children's-Book Award To Lincoln Biography. en-US. C18. The New York Times. January 1, 2020. 0362-4331. January 1, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200101213258/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/01/12/books/children-s-book-award-to-lincoln-biography.html. live.
News: 'Merci Suárez' wins Newbery; 'Hello Lighthouse' claims Caldecott. Quattlebaum. Mary. January 28, 2019. The Washington Post. January 1, 2020. January 2, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200102021025/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/merci-suarez-wins-newbery-hello-lighthouse-claims-caldecott-meg-medina-sophie-blackall-are-big-winners-in-2019-kids-book-awards/2019/01/28/881c67e8-2334-11e9-ad53-824486280311_story.html. live.
Chamberlain. Julia. Leal. Dorothy. 1999. Caldecott Medal Books and Readability Levels: Not Just "Picture" Books. The Reading Teacher. 52. 8. 898–902. 0034-0561. 20204726.
Clark. Roger. Keller. Pamela J.. Knights. April. Nabar. Jennifer. Ramsbey. Theil B.. Ramsbey. Thomas. 2007. Let Me Draw You a Picture: Alternative and Changing Views of Gender in Award-Winning PIcture books for Children. International Review of Modern Sociology. 33. 1. 69–96. 0973-2047. 41421255.
Clark. Roger. 2007. From Margin to Margin? Females and Minorities in Newbery and Caldecott Medal-Winning and Honor Books for Children. International Journal of Sociology of the Family. 33. 2. 263–283. 0020-7667. 23070734.
Web site: Lindsay. Nina. March 2, 2015. The 2015 Youth Media Awards: A Crossover Year for Diversity. January 1, 2020. School Library Journal. January 1, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200101211728/https://www.slj.com/%3FdetailStory%3Da-crossover-year-the-2015-youth-media-awards-set-the-childrens-book-world-abuzz-where-do-we-go-from-here. live.
Web site: Yorio. Kara. January 29, 2019. Diversity, Debate, and the Magic of Books: A Look at the 2019 Youth Media Awards. January 1, 2020. School Library Journal. January 1, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200101211734/https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/%3FdetailStory%3Ddiversity-debate-magic-books-2019-youth-media-awards. live.
Web site: Parravano. Martha V.. March 3, 2017. Calling Caldecott Science books and the Caldecott. July 3, 2020. The Horn Book. July 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200704104740/https://www.hbook.com/?detailStory=science-books-and-the-caldecott. live.