Winners of the Caldecott Medal: 1993-1997 Media Reviews Families.com

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!!

1993

“Mirette on the High Wire” by Emily Arnold McCully

There was a widow named Madame Gateau who ran a boardinghouse. She and her daughter Mirette always made sure that their guests were comfortable. But one day a stranger appears and Mirette becomes fascinated with his unusual talent. Will Mirette become as talented as the great Bellini?

Honor Books

“The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales” illustrated by Lane Smith; text: Jon Scieszka
“Seven Blind Mice” by Ed Young
“Wirking Cotton” illustrated by Carole Byard; text: Sherley Anne Williams

1994

“Grandfather’s Journey” by Allen Say; text edited by Walter Lorraine

This book tells the story of Allen Say’s grandfather and how he came to North America from Japan. It tells of all of the different places he saw and the different types of people he met. Allen’s grandfather returned to Japan to marry his childhood love and then brought her back to North America where they had a daughter — Allen’s mother. Allen was born and grew up in Japan but eventually moved to California. The pictures in this book are so well done that at times they look like photographs.

Honor Books

“Peppe the Lamplighter” illustrated by Ted lewin; text: Elisa Bartone
“In the Small, Small, Pond” by Denise Fleming
“Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest” by gerald McDermott
“Owen” by Kevin Henkes
“Yo! Yes?” illustrated by Chris Raschka; text edited by Richard Jackson

1995

“Smoky Night” illustrated by David Diazl text: Eve Bunting

“Smoky Night” tells the story of a little boy, his mother, and his cat who are all in their apartment as rioting goes on in the streets. In the middle of the night, they are awakened by a neighbor who is shouting that their building is on fire. The boy and his mother make it out with the rest of their neighbors, but neither the boy nor a neighbor, Mrs. Kim, can find their cats. When they get to a shelter at a church, a fireman brings the cats back to them. I have mixed feelings about the atoryline, but the art is fantastic. According to the note in the back of the book, all of the painting was done in acrylics. The backgrounds were all arranged and photographed by the illustrator.

Honor Books

“John Henry” illustrated by Jerry Pinkney; text: Julius Lester
“Swamp Angel” illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky; text: Anne Issacs
“Time Flies” by Eric Rohmann

1996

“Officer Buckle and Gloria” by Peggy Rathmann

This book is about a safety officer to whom no one listens. When he gets a dog named Gloria for a partner, suddenly everyone begins to pay attention to his safety speeches. It’s only when he sees one of his presentations on the 10 o’clock news that he realizes why everyone loves him so much now. But when he and Gloria are separated, will the presentation still work? The artwork in this book is really cute, with pictures of Gloria on the inside covers accompanying all of the safety tips.

Honor Books

“Alphabet City” by Stephen T. Johnson
“Zin! Zin! Zin! a Violin” illustrated by Marjorie Priceman; text: Lloyd Moss
“The Faithful Friend” illustrated by Brian Pinkney; text: Rabert D. San Souci
“Tops & Bottoms” adapted and illustrated by Janet Stevens

1997

“Golem” by David Wisniewski

This book tells about the Jewish legend of Golem; made from clay by humans, he was given life to help protect the Jews. It is a lesson about the limits of human power and how sometimes that power can get out of control. The pictures in this book are made from cut paper, which adds a perfect touch to this already troubling story.

Honor Books

“Hush! A Thai Lullaby” illustrated by Holly Meade; text: Minfong Ho
“The Graphic Alphabet” by David Pelletier
“The Paperboy” by Dav Pilkey
“Starry Messenger” by Peter Sis