Winners of the Caldecott Medal: 1988-1992 Media Reviews Families.com

For more information about the origins of the Caldecott Medal, please see The Caldecott Medal and the Man for Whom it was Named. I am giving a brief synopsis of each book along with a comment about the artwork here and there. I am also including lists of the Honor winners for each year. I hope you enjoy my series. Comments are welcomed!!

1988

“Owl Moon” illustrated by John Schoenhert; text: Jane Yolen

One night a little girl goes owling with her father. They crunch through the snow and her father calls out, “Whoo-whoo…” several times, but there is no answer. As they keep walking, the little girl reminds herself of all of the responsibilities she has since she is allowed to go owling with her father. Finally, her father calls out again and gets an answer from an owl. The girl and her father see a shadow swooping, and as the father turns on his flashlight, they both catch a glimpse of the owl before he once again flies away.

Honor Book

“Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale” by John Steptoe

1989

“Song and Dance Man” illustrated by Stephen Gammell; text: Karen Ackerman

This book is about a grandfather who used to be a vaudeville dancer. When his grandchildren come to visit, he takes them into the attic and brings out his old costumes from those days. He puts on his costume, a bowler hat, and his tap shoes and begins to perform. The children love to watch their grandfather. This book looks like it was illustrated with colored pencils. It uses a lot of detail and bright colors to bring out the cheerful tone of the story.

Honor Books

“The Boy of the Three-Year Nap” illustrated by Allen Say; text: Diane Snyder
“Free Fall” by David Wiesner
“Goldilocks and the Three Bears” by James Marshall
“Mirandy and Brother Wind” illustrated by Jerry Pinkney; text: Patricia C. McKissack

1990

“Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China” by Ed Young

In this version of the familiar story, a mother leaves her three children home alone while she goes and visits their grandmother. While the mother is gone, an old wolf notices and dresses as an old woman to fool the children. The children ask their grandmother, or their Po-Po, many questions: Why is she coming late? Why is her voice so low? Why does she blow out the candle when they invite her in? Once the children realize something is amiss, they think of a great plot to fool the old wolf and get rid of him. This book uses dark colors, as the wolf is a symbol of darkness.

Honor Books

“Bill Peet: An Autobiography” by Bill Peet
“Color Zoo” by Lois Ehlert
“The Talking Eggs: A Folktale from the American South” illustrated by Jerry Pinkney; text: Robert D. San Souci
“Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins” illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman; text: Eric Kimmel

1991

“Black and White” by David Macaulay

I found this book to be a little strange. A warning begins the book: “This book appears to contain a number of stories that do not necessarily occur at the same time. Then again, it may contain only one story. In any event, careful inspection of both words and pictures is recommended.” The start of the book appears to be four different stories, two on the top of the page in mostly color and two on the bottom of the page in mostly black and white. As the book goes on, the story combines. If it is confusing for someone with a college degree, I can see that it might be confusing for a member of the author’s target audience. Very interesting.

Honor Books

“Puss in Boots” illustrated by Fred Marcellino; text: Charles Perrault, translated by Malcolm Arthur
“‘More, More, More’ Said the Baby: Three Love Stories” by Vera B. Williams

1992

“Tuesday” by David Wiesner

“The events recorded here are verified by an undisclosed source to have happened somewhere, U.S.A., on Tuesday. All those in doubt are reminded that there is always another TUESDAY.” This book is a visual wonder that is preceded by the previous quote. The events take place on a Tuesday night. First, the pictures show that all is quiet in and around a lake. Then, there are frogs flying around on lily pads. The fly and float upside down, past people’s yards and through the homes of sleeping residents. They are joined by birds and later on, a dog. The next morning shows the frogs jumping back into the water and police detectives staring at random lily pads up and down the streets. A cute fantasy tale told with pictures.

Honor Book

“Tar Beach” by Faith Ringgold