For those of you who have been reading my blogs about the Caldecott Medal winners, you know that I have learned a lot. I have learned not necessarily just about art or illustrations, but about myself as an avid reader and a parent. I have learned about the kinds of books that I would like to share with my daughter, and those I would prefer to leave until she is a little bit older.
I have enjoyed reading these books as much as I did when I was younger. I have liked reading them as much as I enjoy reading more adult books now that I am older. I have found that truly instilling a love of books and reading has to start at a young age. Books like the winners of the Caldecott Medal can help parents and teachers do just that.
Although I suggest reading as many books as possible, some of these books I recommend more than the others. Even though the Caldecott Medal winners won for their artwork, I recommend the following books on the basis of a combination of the illustrations and the story.
- “Make Way for Ducklings” by Robert McCloskey (1942)
- “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak (1964)
- “Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears” illustrated by Leo & Diane Dillon; text retold by Verna Aardema (1976)
- “Tuesday” by David Wiesner (1992)
- “Snowflake Bentley” illustrated by Mary Azarian; text: Jacqueline Briggs Martin (1999)
- “Joseph Had a Little Overcoat” by Simms Taback (2000)
- “The Three Pigs” by David Wiesner (2002)
Thank you for taking the time to read my reviews about books that have won the honor of the Caldecott Medal. Also, don’t forget about the Caldecott Honor Books. One of my favorite children’s books ever — “Stone Soup” by Marcia Brown — was an Honor Book. For more information about the Caldecott Medal and Honor Books, please visit the Caldecott Medal Home Page. Please keep on visiting us at Media Reviews! Look for my reviews of Newbery Medal books, coming in October.