Come read the books deemed worthy of the Caldecott Medal! 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!!
1968
“Drummer Hoff” illustrated by Ed Emberley; text adapted by Barbara Emberley
This book is an adaptation about an old folk song. The song tells of seven soldiers who built a cannon and Drummer Hoff who “fired it off.” The drawings are so full of lines and color that they are difficult to describe. They were definitely intricately done.
Honor Books
- “Frederick” by Leo Lionni
- “Seashore Story” by Taro Yashima
- “The Emperor and the Kite” illustrated by Ed Young; text: Jane Yolen
1969
“The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship” illustrated by Uri Shulevitz; text retold by Arthur Ransome
This book is about a young man who is considered the Fool of his family. No one pays him much attention, least of all his two brothers. When it is announced that the Czar shall give his daughter away to any man who can bring him a flying ship, the journey begins. The Fool meets many people along the way and takes them all with him. In return, they are able to help him complete his tasks and marry the Princess. This is a good tale of giving and returning favors.
Honor Book
- “Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky” illustrated by Blair Lent; text: Elphinstone Dayrell
1970
“Sylvester and the Magic Pebble” by William Steig
Sylvester Duncan liked to collect pebbles. One day he found an especially bright one. As soon as he found it, he began to receive things that he wished for aloud but he realized that he only had his wishes granted when he was holding the pebble. What happens when Sylvester runs into a lion and wishes himself to be a pebble? This book takes the reader through all of the seasons and is a great one to read together.
Honor Books
- “Goggles!” by Ezra Jack Keats
- “Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse” by Leo Lionni
- “Pop Corn and Ma Goodness” illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker; text: Edna Mitchell Preston
- “Thy Friend, Obadiah” by Brinton Turkle
- “The Judge: An Untrue Tale” illustrated by Margot Zemach; text: Harve Zemach
1971
“A Story A Story” retold and illustrated by Gail E. Haley
This book is an African tale about a man named Ananse who wishes for stories from the Sky God. Ananse has to perform some tasks before the Sky God will oblige, but Ananse is a clever man. He completes all of the requests of the Sky God and gave Ananse all of his stories. A lot of bright colors are used in this book. The drawings of people are reminiscent of African wooden carvings.
Honor Books
- “The Angry Moon” illustrated by Blair Lent; text retold by William Sleator
- “Frog and Toad are Friends” by Arnold Lobel
- “In the Night Kitchen” by Maurice Sendak
1972
“One Fine Day” retold and illustrated by Nonny Hogrogian
“One Fine Day” is the retelling of an Armenian folktale about a fox who drinks milk that belongs to an old woman. When he has his tail taken from him by the old woman, he spends the entire day trying to find a way to get it back. It seems that everyone wants a favor in return for his requests, so he has to bargain. Finally, the woman sews his tail back and he runs off into the forest.
Honor Books
- “Hildilid’s Night” illustrated by Arnold Lobel; text: Cheli Duran Ryan
- “If All the Seas Were One Sea” by Jamina Domanska
- “Moja Means One: Swahili Counting Book” illustrated by Tom Feelings; text: Muriel Feelings
See also:
The Caldecott Medal and the Man for Whom It Was Named
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
Winners of the Caldecott Medal: 1958-1962
Winners of the Caldecott Medal: 1963-1967