Caldecott Winners

Do you know what the gold seal represents on picture books?

The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually by the Association for the Library Service to Children to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. Picture books are great for all level of kids reading. You can learn and grow with pictures books. Most of the times they not only entertain but also impart a life lesson.

The current winner The Undefeated is illustrated by Nadir Nelson and written by Kwame Alexander. The Undefeated is a beautiful book. The book is in form of poetry and the poem is a love letter to the black life in United States. It is on the list of the Black Lives Matter as well. The first awarded was in 1938. Watch Kwame Alexander read from his book here.

“Nelson paints historical figures and contemporary heroes with equal ease and grace; in a final spread, the faces of young black girls and boys look ahead, beaming and determined: “This is for us.” Throughout, incantatory usage of “un” words (“unbelievable... unbending... underdogs... uncertain...”) rings with force.” From Publisher’s Weekly.

Here is a list of a few winners:

  • 2020: The Undefeated illustrated by Nadir Nelson and written by Kwame Alexander

  • 2016: Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Famous Bear illustrated by Sophie Blackall and written by Lindsay Mattick

  • 2015: The Adventures of Beetle: The Imaginary Friend illustrated and written by Dan Santat

  • 2014: The Locomotive illustrated and written by Brian Floca

  • 2011: A Sick Day for Amos McGuee illustrated Erin E. Stead and written by Philip C. Stead

  • 2008: The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

  • 2002: The Three Pigs by David Wiesner

  • 1988: Owl Moon illustrated by John Schoenherr and tex Jane Yolen

  • 1986: The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

  • 1982: Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg