The Randolph Caldecott Medal

Awarded yearly, the Caldecott Medal is presented to the artist of “the most distinguished American Picture Book for Children published in the United States during the preceding year” (ALA.org).

Click on the titles below to view the primary source pairings:

2020

Medal Winner:

The Undefeated, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, written by Kwame Alexander

Honor Books:

Bear Came Along, illustrated by LeUyen Pham, written by Richard T. Morris

Double Bass Blues, illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez, written by Andrea J. Loney

Going Down Home With Daddy, illustrated by Daniel Minter, written by Kelly Starling Lyons

2019

Medal Winner:

Hello Lighthouse, Illustrated and Written by Sophie Blackall

Honor Books:

Alma and How She Got Her Name, Illustrated and Written by Juana Martinez-Neal

A Big Mooncake for Little Star, Illustrated and Written by Grace Lin

The Rough Patch, Illustrated and Written by Brian Lies

Thank You, Omu!, Illustrated and Written by Oge Mora

2018

Medal Winner:

Wolf in the Snow, Created by Matthew Cordell

Honor Books:

Big Cat, Little Cat, Illustrated and Written by Elisha Cooper

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut, Illustrated by Gordon C. James, Written by Derrick Barnes

A Different Pond, Illustrated by Thi Bui, Written by Bao Phi

Grand Canyon, Illustrated and Written by Jason Chin

2017

Medal Winner:

Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, Illustrated and Written by Javaka Steptoe

Honor Books:

Leave Me Alone!, Illustrated and Written by Vera Brosgol

Freedom in Congo Square, Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie, Written by Carole Boston Weatherford

Du Iz Tak?, Illustrated and Written by Carson Ellis

They All Saw a Cat, Illustrated and Written by Brendan Wenzel

2016

Medal Winner:

Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear, Illustrated by Sophie Blackall, Written by Lindsay Mattick

Honor Books:

Trombone Shorty, Illustrated by Bryan Collier, Written by Troy Andrews

Waiting, Written and Illustrated by Kevin Henkes

Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement, Illustrated by Ekua Holmes, Written by Carole Boston Weatherford

Last Stop on Market Street, Illustrated by Christian Robinson, Written by Matt de la Peña

2015

Medal Winner:

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, Illustrated and Written by Dan Santat

Honor Books:

Nana in the City, Illustrated and Written by Lauren Castillo

The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art, Illustrated by Mary GrandPré, Written by Barb Rosenstock

Sam & Dave Dig a Hole, Illustrated by Jon Klassen, Written by Mac Barnett

Viva Frida, Illustrated and Written by Yuyi Morales

The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus, Illustrated by Melissa Sweet, Written by Jen Bryant

This One Summer, Illustrated by Jillian Tamaki, Written by Mariko Tamaki

2014

Medal Winner:

Locomotive, Illustrated and Written by Brian Floca

Honor Books:

Journey, Illustrated and Written by Aaron Becker

Flora and the Flamingo, Illustrated and Written by Molly Idle

Mr. Wuffles!, Illustrated and Written by David Wiesner

2013

Medal Winner:

This Is Not My Hat, Illustrated and Written by Jon Klassen

Honor Books:

Creepy Carrots!, Illustrated by Peter Brown, Written by Aaron Reynolds

Extra Yarn, Illustrated by Jon Klassen, Written by Mac Barnett

Green, Illustrated and Written by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

One Cool Friend, Illustrated by David Small, Written by Toni Buzzeo

Sleep Like a Tiger, Illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski, Written by Mary Logue