For more information about the origins of the Caldecott Medal, please see the first article in this series. 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. Comments are welcomed!!
1948
“White Snow, Bright Snow” illustrated by Roger Duvoisin; text: Alvin Tresselt
“White Snow, Bright Snow” begins with a poem all about snow, which the author says was inspired by a walk through New York City. THe book talks all about what happens to different people when it is about to snow. Then the story goes on to tell about the days after the snow through to the spring.
Honor Books
- “Stone Soup” by Marcia Brown (One of my favorite books of all time, I might add.)
- “McElligot’s Pool” by Dr. Seuss (pseudonym for Theodor Seuss Geisel)
- “Bambino the Clown” by Georges Schreiber
- “Roger and the Fox” illustrated by Hildegard Woodward; text: Lavinia R. Davis
- “Song of Robin Hood” illustrated by Virginia Lee Burton; text edited by Anne Malcolmson
1949
“The Big Snow” by Berta & Elmer Hader
This book tells all about different animals getting ready for the winter. Some of the animals store their food, while some birds fly south. There are many animals that decide they will be able to smell out their food when the snow falls. But when it snows more than they anticipated, some of those animals are unable to find food. Find out what happens when a woman who lives in a nearby stonehouse decides to befriend the animals.
Honor Books
- “Blueberries for Sal” by Robert McCloskey
- “All Around the Town” illustrated by Helen Stone; text: Phyllis McGinley
- “Juanita” by Leo Politi
- “Fish in the Air” by Kurt Wiese
1950
“Song of the Swallows” by Leo Politi
This is the story of a boy named Juan who lives in the California town of Capistrano. Julian, who is the old bell-ringer at the church, tells Juan about old days at the Mission. They admire the swallows (los golondrinas) that fly in on St. Joseph’s day. The pictures are colorful and lovely to look at. THere are even two songs in the book, both of which have the music and lyrics written out.
Honor Books
- “America’s Ethan Allen” illustrated by Lynd Ward; text: Stewart Holbrook
- “The Wild Birthday Cake” illustrated by Hildegard Woodward; text: Lavinia R. Davis
- “The Happy Day” illustrated by Marc Simon; text: Ruth Krauss
- “Bartholomew and the Oobleck” by Dr. Seuss (pseudonym for Theodor Seuss Geisel)
- “Henry Fisherman” by Marcia Brown
1951
“The Egg Tree” by Katherine Milhous
Katy and Carl are spending Easter with Grandmom and their cousins and participate in their first Easter egg hunt. But when Katy finds some special-looking eggs in the attic, she thinks she has won the prize for the hunt. A prize indeed! All of the eggs had been hand-painted by Grandmom years ago and were incredibly colorful and detailed. Grandmom went outside and brought in a small tree on which they hung the beautiful eggs. They ended up painting so many eggs that they needed an even bigger tree. People came from all over the village to see the tree that they thought grew eggs on its branches. They even had a party for the tree. From then on, the Easter egg tree was a tradition in their family.
Honor Books
- “Dick Whittington and His Cat” by Marcia Brown
- “The Two Reds” illustrated by Nicolas (pseudonym for Nicholas Mordvinoff); text: Will (pseudonym for William Lipkind)
- “If I Ran the Zoo” by Dr. Seuss (pseudonym for Theodor Seuss Geisel)
- “The Most Wonderful Doll in the World” illustrated by Helen Stone; text: Phyllis McGinley
- “T-Bone the Baby Sitter” by Clare Turlay Newberry
1952
“Finders Keepers” illustrated by Nicolas (pseudonym for Nicholas Mordvinoff); text: Will (pseudonym for William Lipkind)
“Finders Keepers” is an interesting lesson in sharing. Two dogs named Nap and Winkle find a bone buried in the ground but argue about who should have it. They ask many people who seem more concerned with more important things than a silly bone. Finally they meet a big dog who says he will help them, but instead he steals the bone away from them. Nap and Winkle chase after the big dog until they get the bone back from him. The decide to share the bone after all. Red, black, gold, and white are the only colors used in the pictures. This makes for some very interesting backgrounds.
Honor Books
- “Mr. T. W. Anthony Woo” by Marie Hall Ets
- “Skipper John’s Cook” by Marcia Brown
- “All Falling Down” illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham; text: Gene Zion
- “Bear Party” by William Pene du Bois
- “Feather Mountain” by Elizabeth Olds
See also:
Winners of the Caldecott Medal: 1938-1942
Winners of the Caldecott Medal: 1943-1947