According to the ALSC website, the Caldecott Medal has been awarded annually since 1938 by the Association for Library Service to Children to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. I have selected 10 titles throughout the awards history to share with the you and the young reader in your life.
They All Saw a Cat
Wenzel, Brendan (2016). They All Saw a Cat. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books.
In this uniquely illustrated book, an average household cat is observed by the humans and creatures around him as he goes for a stroll. While they all see a cat, the perception of the cat is as different as creatures that see him.
This book will be enjoyable to beginning readers, not only because of the repetition of the writing, but also because of the creative illustrations. The readers will gain the valuable lesson that perception is in the eye of the beholder and not everyone sees things the same way. I would recommend this to preschool and young elementary students.
To view the trailer for this book, visit They All Saw a Cat on YouTube.
The Adventures of Beekle
Santat, Dan (2016). The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend. London: Andersen Press.
This delightful story begins on the island of imaginary friends. We find an imaginary friend there waiting to be chosen by a special child and given a name. After waiting a long while for a friend, he decides to set sails to the real world and find a friend on his own. He encounters many new and strange things on this journey. He finally finds his best friend and she gives him the name Beekle. As best friends, they begin to embark on new adventures together.
I found this book so charming and enjoyed the new take of imaginary friends. The message of putting yourself out there and finding your own happiness can be so useful to a more introverted child and even some adults. The illustrations will keep the reader completely captivated and the unique drawings will spark the imagination. I would recommend this book for elementary students.
To see the book trailer, visit Beekle's book trailer on YouTube.
Kitten's First Full Moon
Henkes, Kevin (2004). Kitten's First Full Moon. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins.
In this 2005 Medal winner, we find a little kitten admiring her first full moon. However, the kitten does not realize it's a full moon but thinks it is a big bowl of milk. After relentlessly trying to no avail to get that milk, the kitten sulks home only to discover a wonderful surprise waiting for her.
This book was so enjoyable to read. The kitten was an absolutely lovable character and the muted colors in the illustrations made you feel the darkness of night but yet were still captivating. Young elementary students and beginning readers will enjoy this book.
To see the book trailer, visit Kitten's book trailer on YouTube.
Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type
Cronin, Doreen (2000). Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.
Farmer Brown has quite the problem on his hands in this 2001 Honor winner. His cows have gotten a hold of a typewriter and are demanding electric blankets at night to stay warm in the freezing cold barn. When the farmer scoffs at the demand, the cows strike and the chickens join in. The farmer and the barn animals come to the agreement that they will exchange electric blankets for the typewriter, with the duck acting as an intermediary. This backfires on the farmer when the ducks make a demand of their own.
Elementary children will find this book to be amusing and very entertaining. The repetition of "click, clack, (animal noise)" will have young readers erupting in laughter.
To see other works from this author, visit doreencronin.com.
No, David!
Shannon, David (1998). No, David! New York, NY: Scholastic.
In this book, we follow the mischievous David who can't seem to stay out of trouble. David's mother is constantly scolding him for breaking the rules but in the end she reassures David that she loves him no matter what.
I think this is a great book to read with your children. It's both reminder to parents to be conscience of your words and tone with children and a reminder to children that your parents always love you, even when you are misbehaving. This is a great book for beginning and young readers.
To see more adventures with David and the authors other works, visit David Shannon books.
Color Zoo
Ehlert, Lois (1989). Color Zoo. New York: Lippincott.
This 1990 Honor winner is more than your average picture book. The book uses cut outs and design to make animals, colors and shapes engaging to young learners.
Simple shapes and designs are transformed into a fun zoo in this critically acclaimed book. Children will be captivated by the creation of the animals using basic shapes. This book is perfect to share with preschoolers.
For fun activities to accompany this book, visit brighthubeducation.com.
Have You Seen My Duckling?
Tafuri, Nancy (1984). Have You Seen My Duckling? New York, NY: Puffin Books.
A worried mother is searching for her missing 8th duckling in this simple 1985 winner. Her mischievous little duckling is never too far away and in the end, the relieved mother is reunited with her baby.
This enchanting story will be fun for little ones to read. They will enjoy searching the pages for the mischievous little duckling hiding spots from his mother. The illustrations are soothing and simple, perfect for small children. I highly recommend this book for preschoolers and young readers.
To see more works from this author, visit nancytafuri.com.
It Could Always Be Worse
Zemach, Margot (1976). It Could Always Be Worse. New York, NY: Farrar.
In this Yiddish folktale, we are introduced to a man who is at his wits end. He lives in a crowded one room hut with his mother, wife and six children and they are driving each other crazy. The rabbi's unconventional advice leads the man to discover that maybe thing aren't so bad after all.
I really appreciate the message behind this book. The lesson of appreciating what you have is a valuable one for children and a great reminder to any adult. The vibrant illustrations will captivate a young audience. Elementary students will enjoy reading this book.
To see some illustrations from the book, visit macmillan.com.
Swimmy
Lionni, Leo (1963). Swimmy. New York, NY: Pantheon.
In this gorgeous 1964 Honor book winner, we are introduced to Swimmy the fish. He is uniquely black among his school of red fish. On one very bad day, Swimmy's school of red fish are eaten, leaving Swimmy to explore the ocean alone and scared. He discovers many new creatures and ocean life. He finds a new school of red fish and shows them how many little fish can come together to be safe and have fun in the ocean.
The illustrations in this book are truly artwork. Beautiful lines and colors form breathtaking images on the page. The writing and illustrations create a very serene and calm setting. Young readers and preschoolers will enjoy this story.
To see more books from Lionni, visit leolionni.com.
Once a Mouse
Brown, Marcia (1961). Once a Mouse. New York, NY: Scribner.
In this Indian fable, a kind hermit discovers a mouse about to be eaten by a crow. He saves the mouse and transforms him into many different animals in order to keep him safe in the jungle. When the mouse is ultimately turned into a tiger, he becomes arrogant and mean. He then threatens the hermit, who then turns him back into a mouse.
I believe this tale is very relevant for older elementary students and teaches about how ungratefulness and arrogance undo the goodness in you. The illustrations are very striking and unique.
To learn more about the author and see more of her work, visit MarciaBrown.com.
In this uniquely illustrated book, an average household cat is observed by the humans and creatures around him as he goes for a stroll. While they all see a cat, the perception of the cat is as different as creatures that see him.
This book will be enjoyable to beginning readers, not only because of the repetition of the writing, but also because of the creative illustrations. The readers will gain the valuable lesson that perception is in the eye of the beholder and not everyone sees things the same way. I would recommend this to preschool and young elementary students.
To view the trailer for this book, visit They All Saw a Cat on YouTube.
Santat, Dan (2016). The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend. London: Andersen Press.
This delightful story begins on the island of imaginary friends. We find an imaginary friend there waiting to be chosen by a special child and given a name. After waiting a long while for a friend, he decides to set sails to the real world and find a friend on his own. He encounters many new and strange things on this journey. He finally finds his best friend and she gives him the name Beekle. As best friends, they begin to embark on new adventures together.
I found this book so charming and enjoyed the new take of imaginary friends. The message of putting yourself out there and finding your own happiness can be so useful to a more introverted child and even some adults. The illustrations will keep the reader completely captivated and the unique drawings will spark the imagination. I would recommend this book for elementary students.
To see the book trailer, visit Beekle's book trailer on YouTube.
Henkes, Kevin (2004). Kitten's First Full Moon. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins.
In this 2005 Medal winner, we find a little kitten admiring her first full moon. However, the kitten does not realize it's a full moon but thinks it is a big bowl of milk. After relentlessly trying to no avail to get that milk, the kitten sulks home only to discover a wonderful surprise waiting for her.
This book was so enjoyable to read. The kitten was an absolutely lovable character and the muted colors in the illustrations made you feel the darkness of night but yet were still captivating. Young elementary students and beginning readers will enjoy this book.
To see the book trailer, visit Kitten's book trailer on YouTube.
Cronin, Doreen (2000). Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.
Farmer Brown has quite the problem on his hands in this 2001 Honor winner. His cows have gotten a hold of a typewriter and are demanding electric blankets at night to stay warm in the freezing cold barn. When the farmer scoffs at the demand, the cows strike and the chickens join in. The farmer and the barn animals come to the agreement that they will exchange electric blankets for the typewriter, with the duck acting as an intermediary. This backfires on the farmer when the ducks make a demand of their own.
Elementary children will find this book to be amusing and very entertaining. The repetition of "click, clack, (animal noise)" will have young readers erupting in laughter.
To see other works from this author, visit doreencronin.com.
Shannon, David (1998). No, David! New York, NY: Scholastic.
In this book, we follow the mischievous David who can't seem to stay out of trouble. David's mother is constantly scolding him for breaking the rules but in the end she reassures David that she loves him no matter what.
I think this is a great book to read with your children. It's both reminder to parents to be conscience of your words and tone with children and a reminder to children that your parents always love you, even when you are misbehaving. This is a great book for beginning and young readers.
To see more adventures with David and the authors other works, visit David Shannon books.
Ehlert, Lois (1989). Color Zoo. New York: Lippincott.
This 1990 Honor winner is more than your average picture book. The book uses cut outs and design to make animals, colors and shapes engaging to young learners.
Simple shapes and designs are transformed into a fun zoo in this critically acclaimed book. Children will be captivated by the creation of the animals using basic shapes. This book is perfect to share with preschoolers.
For fun activities to accompany this book, visit brighthubeducation.com.
Tafuri, Nancy (1984). Have You Seen My Duckling? New York, NY: Puffin Books.
A worried mother is searching for her missing 8th duckling in this simple 1985 winner. Her mischievous little duckling is never too far away and in the end, the relieved mother is reunited with her baby.
This enchanting story will be fun for little ones to read. They will enjoy searching the pages for the mischievous little duckling hiding spots from his mother. The illustrations are soothing and simple, perfect for small children. I highly recommend this book for preschoolers and young readers.
To see more works from this author, visit nancytafuri.com.
Zemach, Margot (1976). It Could Always Be Worse. New York, NY: Farrar.
In this Yiddish folktale, we are introduced to a man who is at his wits end. He lives in a crowded one room hut with his mother, wife and six children and they are driving each other crazy. The rabbi's unconventional advice leads the man to discover that maybe thing aren't so bad after all.
I really appreciate the message behind this book. The lesson of appreciating what you have is a valuable one for children and a great reminder to any adult. The vibrant illustrations will captivate a young audience. Elementary students will enjoy reading this book.
To see some illustrations from the book, visit macmillan.com.
Lionni, Leo (1963). Swimmy. New York, NY: Pantheon.
In this gorgeous 1964 Honor book winner, we are introduced to Swimmy the fish. He is uniquely black among his school of red fish. On one very bad day, Swimmy's school of red fish are eaten, leaving Swimmy to explore the ocean alone and scared. He discovers many new creatures and ocean life. He finds a new school of red fish and shows them how many little fish can come together to be safe and have fun in the ocean.
The illustrations in this book are truly artwork. Beautiful lines and colors form breathtaking images on the page. The writing and illustrations create a very serene and calm setting. Young readers and preschoolers will enjoy this story.
To see more books from Lionni, visit leolionni.com.
Brown, Marcia (1961). Once a Mouse. New York, NY: Scribner.
In this Indian fable, a kind hermit discovers a mouse about to be eaten by a crow. He saves the mouse and transforms him into many different animals in order to keep him safe in the jungle. When the mouse is ultimately turned into a tiger, he becomes arrogant and mean. He then threatens the hermit, who then turns him back into a mouse.
I believe this tale is very relevant for older elementary students and teaches about how ungratefulness and arrogance undo the goodness in you. The illustrations are very striking and unique.
To learn more about the author and see more of her work, visit MarciaBrown.com.
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