Come read the books deemed worthy of the Caldecott Medal! Since I do not know a lot about art except what I see, 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. Feel free to leave comments!!
1958
“Time of Wonder” by Robert McCloskey
In this book, Robert McCloskey takes the reader on a tour of the imagination. From tiny islands and beaches to sailing in a boat being followed by dolphins, it is a journey through a beautiful world. To me, the paintings are slightly reminiscent of early Impressionist paintings and are absolutely gorgeous.
Honor Books
- “Fly High, Fly Low” by Don Freeman
- “Anatole and the Cat” illustrated by Paul Galdone; text: Eve Titus
1959
“Chanticleer and the Fox” illustrated by Barbara Cooney; text adapted from Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales by Barbara Cooney
This story from Canterbury Tales is about a widow who owns a very proud rooster named Chanticleer. One day, a fox so flatters the rooster that as he is showing off, the fox grabs the rooster in his mouth and runs. The rooster then tricks the fox into letting him go by telling him to speak. The moral of the story is to never be too proud.
Honor Books
- “The House That Jack Built: La Mason Que Jacques A Batie” by Antonio Frasconi
- “What Do You Say, Dear?” illustrated by Maurice Sendak; text: Sesyle Joslin
- “Umbrella” by Taro Yashima
1960
“Nine Days to Christmas” illustrated by Marie Hall Ets; text: Marie Hall Ets and Aurora Labastida
This book is all about a little girl named Ceci. It is decided that she is finally old enough to have her own party on one of the nine days before Christmas. When school lets out, she anxiously counts down the days until it is time for her party. When she finally goes to choose the pinata for her party, she gets a big surprise!
Honor Books
- “Houses from the Sea” illustrated by Adrienne Adams; text: Alice E. Goudy
- “The Moon Jumpers” illustrated by Maurice Sendak; text: Janice May Udry
1961
“Baboushka and the Three Kings” illustrated by Nicolas Sidjakov; text: Ruth Robbins
Baboushka is a little old woman who lives in a cozy hut. She meets three men who are following a star to see a Child but have lost their way. They ask her to go with them, but she has too much work to finish. She decides to go after the three men the next morning, but her journey is to no avail. She never finds the Child. So the story goes that year after year, Baboushka leaves little gifts behind for children as she goes once again in search of the Child. There is a song at the end, complete with lyrics and music. The artwork in this book is made of simple shapes and lines. Its unique drawings add to the charm of the story.
Honor Book
- “Inch by Inch” by Leo Lionni
1962
“Once a Mouse” retold and illustrated by Marcia Brown
“Once a Mouse” is a story from ancient India. A man rescues a little mouse from a crow and decides to keep him as a pet. Every time the mouse is threatened by another animal, the man turns the mouse into a bigger version of the animal threatening him. When finally the mouse becomes a tiger, he becomes quite proud. Find out what happens when the man tells the tiger that were is not for him (the man), he would still be a mouse.
Honor Books
- “Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night: An Old Song” by Peter Spier
- “Little Bear’s Visit” illustrated by Maurice Sendak; text: Else H. Minarik
- “The Day We Saw the Sun Come Up” illustrated by Adrienne Adams; text: Alice E. Goudey
See also:
Winners of the Caldecott Medal: 1938-1942
Winners of the Caldecott Medal: 1943-1947
Winners of the Caldecott Medal: 1948-1952
Winners of the Caldecott Medal: 1953-1957