Caldecott Medal and Honor Books

In 1921, Frederic G. Melcher suggested the introduction of a children's book award prize. Adults had their literary prizes, he argued. Why not kids? Are not children's books worthy of serious consideration and applause? he might have urged, standing before the august assembly of the American Library Association's Executive Board, right arm flung across his chest, Hendrik Willem van Loon's The Story of Mankind clutched tightly in his left hand. What about the children?

The persons associated with the aforementioned Board thought Melcher was right and the Newbery Medal was born, but 15 years later he realized he hadn't gone far enough. What about the illustrators of children's books? he thought, snoozing at his desk late one evening. The television was not yet on to keep him awake because there was not yet television. What about the illustrators? The thought plagued him, it got into his bones, and again he took his case before the magisterial Executive Board.

Yes, they agreed, the writers are duly recognized; let also the illustrators be touted and awarded for their efforts! And so it was, in A.D. 1937 that the Caldecott Award was conceived and brought forth, an award for the best children's picture book of the year, named for famed 19th-century British illustrator Randolph J. Caldecott. Books that deserved attention but failed to attain the rank of single very best picture book of the year were to be given honorable mention.

Melcher's heroic efforts were not for naught. The Caldecott Award has consistently gone to books with beautiful, engaging, and/or very fun illustrations, even in recent years. Of course, there are plenty of wonderful picture books that are on no Caldecott list, either as winners or honorably mentioned (to whom, no one is quite sure), and the award is only given to books written and published in the United States of America. But the flame of quality diversion for children continues to burn brightly, and we thank ol' Freddy for his indefatigable efforts, and for the kindness of the Board's acceptance of them.

Stars:
1 = Avoid  2 = Not recommended  3 = Reservations  4 = Recommended  5 = Highly Recommended

FLAWS:
F = Fighting/Violence L = Language  A = Attitude  W = Worldview  S = Sexual 

2024 Medal Winner

Big, by Vashti Harrison (Little, Brown/Hachette)

Honor Books:

• In Every Life, by Marla Frazee (Beach Lane/Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing)
• Jovita Wore Pants: The Story of a Mexican Freedom Fighter, illus. by Molly Mendoza, written by Aida Salazar (Scholastic Press/Scholastic Inc.)
• There Was a Party for Langston, illus. by Jerome Pumphrey and Jarrett Pumphrey, written by Jason Reynolds (Caitlyn Dlouhy/Atheneum/Simon & Schuster)
• The Truth about Dragons, illus. by Hanna Cha, written by Julie Leung (Henry Holt/Macmillan)

2023 Medal Winner

Hot Dog, illustrated and written by Doug Salati (Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers/Random House Children’s Books/Penguin Random House)

Honor Books:

• Ain’t Burned All the Bright, illustrated by Jason Griffin, written by Jason Reynolds (Caitlyn Dlouhy Books/Atheneum Books for Young Readers/Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing)
• Berry Song, illustrated and written by Michaela Goade (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers/Hachette Book Group, Inc.)
• Choosing Brave: How Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till Sparked the Civil Rights Movement, illustrated by Janelle Washington, written by Angela Joy (Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group)
• Knight Owl, illustrated and written by Christopher Denise (Christy Ottaviano Books/Little, Brown Books for Young Readers/Hachette Book Group, Inc.) 

2022 Medal Winner:

Watercress, illustrated by Jason Chin. The book was written by Andrea Wang and published by Neal Porter Books. 
- A little girl comes to learn about her heritage after her family stops the car by the side of a road to collect watercress.

Honor Books:

• Have You Ever Seen A Flower?; Shawn Harris (Illustrator) 1452182701 Chronicle Books 17.99 HB
• Mel Fell; Tabor, Corey R 0062878018 Balzer & Bray/Harperteen $17.99
• Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre     Weatherford, Carole Boston 1541581202 Carolrhoda Books 2021 $17.99
• Wonder Walkers. Archer, Micha (Author), Archer, Micha (Illustrator) 0593109643  Nancy Paulsen Books    $17.99 HB

2021 Medal Winner:

We Are Water Protectors, illustrated by Michaela Goade is the 2021 Caldecott Medal winner. The book was written by Carole Lindstrom and published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings. 
-

Honor Books:

• A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart, illustrated by Noa Denmon, written by Zetta Elliott and published by Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group;
• The Cat Man of Aleppo, illustrated by Yuko Shimizu, written by Irene Latham & Karim Shamsi-Basha and published by G.P. Putnam's Sons, an imprint of Penguin Random House;
• Me & Mama, illustrated and written by Cozbi A. Cabrera and published by Denene Millner Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
• Outside In, illustrated by Cindy Derby, written by Deborah Underwood and published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 

2020 Medal Winner

The Undefeated, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, written by Kwame Alexander
-

Honor Books:

• Bear Came Along, illustrated by LeUyen Pham, written by Richard T. Morris
• Double Bass Blues, illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez, written by Andrea J. Loney
• Going Down Home with Daddy, illustrated by Daniel Minter, written by Kelly Starling Lyons

2019 Medal Winner

Hello Lighthouse written and illustrated by Sophie Blackall
- Delightful illustrations accompany the story of a lighthouse keeper as he tends his lamp, keeps his logs and dreams of reuniting with his wife. 

Honor Books:

• Alma and How She Got Her Name written and illustrated by Juana Martine-Neal
• A Big Mooncake for Little Star, illustrated and written by Grace Lin
• The Rough Patch, illustrated and written by Brian Lies
• Thank you, Omu!, illustrated  and written by Oge Mora

2018 Medal Winner

Wolf in the Snow, illustrated and written by Matthew Cordell

Honor Books:

• Big Cat, Little Cat, illustrated and written by Elisha Cooper
• Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut, illustrated by Gordon C. James, written by Derrick Barnes
• A Different Pond, illustrated by Thi Bui, written by Bao Phi
• Grand Canyon, illustrated and written by Jason Chin
   

2017 Medal Winner

Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, illustrated and written by Javaka Steptoe
- Graffiti-style art accompanies this homage to young artist Basquiat as he grows up and learns to see beauty in the world around him. 

Honor Books:

• Leave Me Alone! illustrated and written by Vera Brosgol
• Freedom in Congo Square, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie, written by Carole Boston Weatherford
• Du Iz Tak?, illustrated and written by Carson Ellis
• They All Saw a Cat, illustrated and written by Brendan Wenzel

2016 Medal Winner

Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick, Illustrated by Sophie Blackall
- When Captain Harry Colebourn buys a small bear cub, he makes a lifelong friend.

Honor Books:

• Trombone Shorty by Troy Andrews, illustrated by Bryan Collier
• Waiting, illustrated and written by Kevin Henkes
• Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement, illustrated by Ekua Holmes, written by Carole Boston Weatherford
• Last Stop on Market Street, illustrated by Christian Robinson and written by Matt de la Peña

2015 Medal Winner

Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, written and illustrated by Dan Santat
 - An imaginary friend goes in search of a child to imagine him.

Honor Books:

• Nana in the City written and illustrated by Lauren Castillo
• The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky's Abstract Art, illustrated by Mary GrandPré, written by Barb Rosenstock
• Sam & Dave Dig a Hole, illustrated by Jon Klassen, written by Mac Barnett
• Viva Frida, written and illustrated by Yuyi Morales
• The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, written by Jen Bryant
• This One Summer, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki, written by Mariko Tamaki

2014 Medal Winner

Locomotive, written and illustrated by Brian Floca
 F - A plucky pioneer family takes a cross-country trip on a shiny new steam engine.

Honor Books:

• Journey, written and illustrated by Aaron Becker
• Flora and the Flamingo, written and illustrated by Molly Idle
• Mr. Wuffles! written and illustrated by David Wiesner

2013 Caldecott Medal Winner

This Is Not My Hat, written and illustrated by Jon Klassen
 F A - A morbid tale about a thieving little fish who encounters violent justice.

Honor Books:

• Creepy Carrots!, illustrated by Peter Brown, written by Aaron Reynolds
• Extra Yarn, illustrated by Jon Klassen, written by Mac Barnett
• Green, illustrated and written by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
• One Cool Friend, illustrated by David Small, written by Toni Buzzeo
• Sleep Like a Tiger, illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski, written by Mary Logue

2012 Caldecott Medal Winner

A Ball for Daisy, by Chris Raschka
- A small dog loses her most prized possession.

Honor Books:

• Blackout by John Rocco
• Grandpa Green by Lane Smith
• Me... Jane by Patrick McDonnell

2011 Caldecott Medal Winner

A Sick Day for Amos McGee, illustrated by Erin E. Stead, written by Philip C. Stead
- Amos McGee cares for the zoo animals until, one day, he wakes up sick.

Honor Books:

• Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave, illustrated by Bryan Collier, written by Laban Carrick Hill
• Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein

2010 Caldecott Medal Winner

The Lion & the Mouse, by Jerry Pinkney
F - Nearly wordless retelling of the traditional lion & the mouse fable.

Honor Books:

• All the World, illustrated by Marla Frazee, written by Liz Garton Scanlon
• Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors, illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski, written by Joyce Sidman

2009 Caldecott Medal Winner

The House in the Night, illustrated by Beth Krommes, written by Susan Marie Swanson
- Chiastic bedtime poem muddled by dizzying illustrations.

Honor Books:

• A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever by Marla Frazee
• How I Learned Geography by Uri Shulevitz
• A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, written by Jen Bryant

2008 Caldecott Medal Winner

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
F L A - Young orphan Hugo lives in a Paris clock tower while trying to finish his father's last project.

Honor Books:

• Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad illustrated by Kadir Nelson, written by Ellen Levine
• First the Egg by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
• The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Peter Sís
• Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity by Mo Willems

2007 Caldecott Medal Winner

Flotsam, by David Wiesner
- A mysterious camera washes up on shore, revealing a wonderful secret about life under the ocean.

Honor Books:

• Gone Wild: An Endangered Animal Alphabet by David McLimans
• Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom illustrated by Kadir Nelson, written by Carole Boston Weatherford

2006 Caldecott Medal Winner

The Hello, Goodbye Window, illustrated by Chris Raschka and written by Norton Juster
- A young girl loves the big window at her grandparent's house.

Honor Books:

• Rosa illustrated by Bryan Collier and written by Nikki Giovanni
• Zen Shorts illustrated and written by Jon J. Muth
• Hot Air: The (Mostly) True Story of the First Hot-Air Balloon Ride illustrated and written by Marjorie Priceman
• Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems illustrated by Beckie Prange, written by Joyce Sidma

2005 Caldecott Medal Winner

Kitten's First Full Moon, by Kevin Henkes
- Kitten thinks the moon is a bowl of milk, which leads to trouble.

Honor Books:

• The Red Book by Barbara Lehman
• Coming on Home Soon illustrated by E.B. Lewis, written by Jacqueline Woodson
• Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale illustrated and written by Mo Willems

2004 Caldecott Medal Winner

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein
A - Phillipe Petit attempts to cross the Twin Towers on a tightrope in 1974.

Honor Books:

• Ella Sarah Gets Dressed by Margaret Chodos-Irvine
• What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? illustrated and written by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
• Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems

2003 Caldecott Medal Winner

My Friend Rabbit, by Eric Rohmann
- Mouse remains loyal to his well-meaning but thoughtless best friend Rabbit.

Honor Books:

• The Spider and the Fly illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi, written by Mary Howitt
• Hondo & Fabian by Peter McCarty
• Noah's Ark by Jerry Pinkney

2002 Caldecott Medal Winner

The Three Pigs by David Wiesner
F - Three little pigs break out of their story into the world in-between.

Honor Books:

• The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins illustrated by Brian Selznick, written by Barbara Kerley
• Martin's Big Words: the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. illustrated by Bryan Collier, written by Doreen Rappaport
• The Stray Dog by Marc Simont

2001 Caldecott Medal Winner

So You Want to Be President? Illustrated by David Small, written by Judith St. George
 W - Light introduction to forty-two U.S. presidents, with some subtle political bias.

Honor Books:

• Casey at the Bat illustrated by Christopher Bing, written by Ernest Thayer
• Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type illustrated by Betsy Lewin, written by Doreen Cronin
• Olivia by Ian Falconer

2000 Caldecott Medal Winner

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback
- Joseph is so thrifty, he can make something new out of something old.

Honor Books:

• A Child's Calendar illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman Text: John Updike
• Sector 7 by David Wiesner
• When Sophie Gets Angry-Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang
• The Ugly Duckling illustrated by Jerry Pinkney Text: Hans Christian Andersen, adapted by Jerry Pinkney

1999 Caldecott Medal Winner

Snowflake Bentley, Illustrated by Mary Azarian, text by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
- Wilson Bentley discovers that every snowflake is unique and sets out to capture them on camera.

Honor Books:

• Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra illustrated by Brian Pinkney Text: Andrea Davis Pinkney
• No, David! by David Shannon
• Snow by Uri Shulevitz
• Tibet Through the Red Box by Peter Sís

1998 Caldecott Medal Winner

Rapunzel by Paul O. Zelinsky
F S - Rapunzel is taken from her parents and locked in a tower in this majestic retelling.

Honor Books:

• The Gardener illustrated by David Small Text: Sarah Stewart
• Harlem illustrated by Christopher Myers Text: Walter Dean Myers
• There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly by Simms Taback

1997 Caldecott Medal Winner

Golem, by David Wisniewski
 F W - Rabbi Ben Loew summons a Golem to defend the Jews of Prague.

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 Sís

1996 Caldecott Medal Winner

Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann
 A - Gloria helps Officer Buckle behind his back.

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: Robert D. San Souci
• Tops & Bottoms, adapted and illustrated by Janet Stevens

1995 Caldecott Medal Winner

Smoky Night, illustrated by David Diaz; text: Eve Bunting
 VW - A problematic child's eye view of the 1992 LA riots.

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

1994 Caldecott Medal Winner

Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say; text: edited by Walter Lorraine
- Allan Say's poignant story of his grandfather, a man torn between two countries.

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

1993 Caldecott Medal Winner

Mirette on the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully
- The new boarder can walk on a high wire, and Mirette wants desperately to learn.

Honor Books:

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

1992 Caldecott Medal Winner

Tuesday by David Wiesner
- An mysterious event gives a group of frogs the best Tuesday night of their lives.

Honor Book:

• Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold

1991 Caldecott Medal Winner

Black and White by David Macaulay
- Four stories are told side-by-side, and its up to the reader to decide if or how they're connected.

Honor Books:

• Puss in Boots, illustrated by Fred Marcellino; text: Charles Perrault, trans. by Malcolm Arthur
• "More More More," Said the Baby: Three Love Stories by Vera B. Williams

1990 Caldecott Medal Winner

Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China by Ed Young
 F - Three clever girls are home alone when a mysterious stranger shows up, claiming to be their grandmother.

Honor Books:

• Bill Peet: An Autobiography by Bill Peet
• Color Zoo by Lois Ehlert
• The Talking Eggs: A Folktale from the American South, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney; text: Robert D. San Souci
• Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman; text: Eric Kimmel

1989 Caldecott Medal Winner

Song and Dance Man, illustrated by Stephen Gammell; text: Karen Ackerman
- When the grandchildren come over Grandpa becomes the song and dance man once more.

Honor Books:

• The Boy of the Three-Year Nap, illustrated by Allen Say; text: Diane Snyder
• Free Fall by David Wiesner
• Goldilocks and the Three Bears by James Marshall
• Mirandy and Brother Wind, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney; text: Patricia C. McKissack

1988 Caldecott Medal Winner

Owl Moon, illustrated by John Schoenherr; text: Jane Yolen
 - A quiet, gentle story of a girl and her father going owling one cold snowy night under the owl moon.

Honor Book:

• Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale by John Steptoe

1987 Caldecott Medal Winner

Hey, Al, illustrated by Richard Egielski; text: Arthur Yorinks
F - Al and Eddie live in a one-room apartment until a bird whisks them away to an island paradise.

Honor Books:

• The Village of Round and Square Houses by Ann Grifalconi
• Alphabatics by Suse MacDonald
• Rumpelstiltskin by Paul O. Zelinsky

1986 Caldecott Medal Winner

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
W - "Classic" Christmas tale holds misguided view about the meaning of Christmas.

Honor Books:

• The Relatives Came, illustrated by Stephen Gammell; text: Cynthia Rylant
• King Bidgood's in the Bathtub, illustrated by Don Wood; text: Audrey Wood

1985 Medal Winner

Saint George and the Dragon, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman; text: retold by Margaret Hodges
F - Una returns to her kingdom with the Redcrosse knight in hopes of slaying a sinister dragon.

Honor Books:

• Hansel and Gretel, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky; text: retold by Rika Lesser
• Have You Seen My Duckling? by Nancy Tafuri
• The Story of Jumping Mouse: A Native American Legend, retold and illustrated by John Steptoe

1984 Medal Winner

The Glorious Flight: Across the Channel with Louis Bleriot by Alice & Martin Provensen
 -  Louis Bleriot attempts to be the first man to fly across the English channel.

Honor Books:

• Little Red Riding Hood, retold and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman
• Ten, Nine, Eight by Molly Bang

1983 Medal Winner

Shadow, translated and illustrated by Marcia Brown Original text in French: Blaise Cendrars
F - Shadow dances around campfires and mocks men behind their backs.

Honor Books:

• A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams
• When I Was Young in the Mountains, illustrated by Diane Goode; text: Cynthia Rylant

1982 Medal Winner

Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg
 F - Two bored children start to play a board game that comes to life.

Honor Books:

• Where the Buffaloes Begin, illustrated by Stephen Gammell; text: Olaf Baker
• On Market Street, illustrated by Anita Lobel; text: Arnold Lobel
• Outside Over There by Maurice Sendak
• A Visit to William Blake's Inn: Poems for Innocent and Experienced Travelers, illustrated by Alice & Martin Provensen; text: Nancy Willard

1981 Medal Winner

Fables by Arnold Lobel
F - Twenty fables follow an assortment of animals through moral lessons about life.

Honor Books:

• The Bremen-Town Musicians, retold and illustrated by Ilse Plume
• The Grey Lady and the Strawberry Snatcher by Molly Bang
• Mice Twice by Joseph Low
• Truck by Donald Crews

1980 Medal Winner

Ox-Cart Man, illustrated by Barbara Cooney; text: Donald Hall
 - A circular story about a pioneer family as it works to provide for itself through the year.

Honor Books:

• Ben's Trumpet by Rachel Isadora
• The Garden Of Abdul Gasazi by Chris Van Allsburg
• The Treasure by Uri Shulevitz

1979 Medal Winner

The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses by Paul Goble
 W S - Gorgeous illustrations can't excuse the strange worldview problems.

Honor Books:

• Freight Train by Donald Crews
• The Way to Start a Day, illustrated by Peter Parnall; text: Byrd Baylor

1978 Medal Winner

Noah's Ark by Peter Spier
 F - Gentle, humorous, and detailed wordless retelling of the story of Noah's ark.

Honor Books:

• Castle by David Macaulay
• It Could Always Be Worse, retold and illustrated by Margot Zemach

1977 Medal Winner

Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions, illustrated by Leo & Diane Dillon; text: Margaret Musgrove
 F W S - Lush illustrations and short paragraphs explore the cultures of twenty-six African tribes.

Honor Books:

• The Amazing Bone by William Steig
• The Contest, retold and illustrated by Nonny Hogrogian
• Fish for Supper by M. B. Goffstein
• The Golem: A Jewish Legend by Beverly Brodsky McDermott
• Hawk, I'm Your Brother, illustrated by Peter Parnall; text: Byrd Baylor

1976 Medal Winner

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears, illustrated by Leo & Diane Dillon; text: retold by Verna Aardema
 V A - Because mosquito lies to iguana, the world is plunged into eternal night.

Honor Books:

• The Desert is Theirs, illustrated by Peter Parnall; text: Byrd Baylor
• Strega Nona by Tomie de Paola

1975 Medal Winner

Arrow to the Sun, by Gerald McDermott
 W - A boy's quest to find his father leads him, straight as an arrow, into the sun.

Honor Book:

• Jambo Means Hello: A Swahili Alphabet Book, illustrated by Tom Feelings; text: Muriel Feelings

1974 Medal Winner

Duffy and the Devil, illustrated by Margot Zemach; retold by Harve Zemach
 A - After three years of knitting Squire Lovel's stockings the devil gets to take Duffy away, unless she can guess his name.

Honor Books:

• Three Jovial Huntsmen by Susan Jeffers
• Cathedral by David Macaulay

1973 Medal Winner

The Funny Little Woman, illustrated by Blair Lent; text: retold by Arlene Mosel
F W - Little Japanese woman is taken captive by the fearsome oni.

Honor Books:

• Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti, adapted and illustrated by Gerald McDermott
• Hosie's Alphabet, illustrated by Leonard Baskin; text: Hosea, Tobias & Lisa Baskin
• Snow-White and the Seven Dwarfs, illustrated by Nancy Ekholm Burkert; text: translated by Randall Jarrell, retold from the Brothers Grimm
• When Clay Sings, illustrated by Tom Bahti; text: Byrd Baylor

1972 Medal Winner

One Fine Day, retold and illustrated by Nonny Hogrogian
 F - A little fox loses his tail and must bargain to get it back.

Honor Books:

• Hildilid's Night, illustrated by Arnold Lobel; text: Cheli Durán Ryan
• If All the Seas Were One Sea by Janina Domanska
• Moja Means One: Swahili Counting Book, illustrated by Tom Feelings; text: Muriel Feelings

1971 Medal Winner

A Story A Story, retold and illustrated by Gail E. Haley
 AW - Ananse the Spider man sets out to buy stories from Nyame the Sky God.

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

1970 Medal Winner

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig
 F - Sylvester finds a magic pebble that grants him any wish, but things go wrong when he makes a very foolish one.

Honor Books:

• Goggles! by Ezra Jack Keats
• Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse by Leo Lionni
• Pop Corn & 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

1969 Medal Winner

The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship, illustrated by Uri Shulevitz; text: retold by Arthur Ransome
 - A simple but kind young man gains help to win the hand of the Czar's daughter.

Honor Book:

• Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky, illustrated by Blair Lent; text: Elphinstone Dayrell

1968 Medal Winner

Drummer Hoff, illustrated by Ed Emberley; text: adapted by Barbara Emberley
 F W - Fun rhyme about soldiers assembling a cannon holds subtle anti-war messages.

Honor Books:

• Frederick by Leo Lionni
• Seashore Story by Taro Yashima
• The Emperor and the Kite, illustrated by Ed Young; text: Jane Yolen

1967 Medal Winner

Sam, Bangs & Moonshine by Evaline Ness
 A - Sam must learn to talk real, not moonshine, while trying to cope with her mother's death.

Honor Book:

• One Wide River to Cross, illustrated by Ed Emberley; text: adapted by Barbara Emberley

1966 Medal Winner

Always Room for One More, illustrated by Nonny Hogrogian; text: Sorche Nic Leodhas, pseud.
 - Lachie MacLachlan extends his hospitality to every passerby, always trying to fit in just one more.

Honor Books:

• Hide and Seek Fog, illustrated by Roger Duvoisin; text: Alvin Tresselt
• Just Me by Marie Hall Ets
• Tom Tit Tot, retold and illustrated by Evaline Ness

1965 Medal Winner

May I Bring a Friend? illustrated by Beni Montresor; text: Beatrice Schenk de Regniers
 - A young boy brings an assortment of wild animals to tea with the king and queen.

Honor Books:

• Rain Makes Applesauce, illustrated by Marvin Bileck; text: Julian Scheer
• The Wave, illustrated by Blair Lent; text: Margaret Hodges
• A Pocketful of Cricket, illustrated by Evaline Ness; text: Rebecca Caudill

1964 Medal Winner

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
 V A - Max gets sent to bed without supper and escapes to the land of the wild things.

Honor Books:

• Swimmy by Leo Lionni
• All in the Morning Early, illustrated by Evaline Ness; text: Sorche Nic Leodhas, pseud.
• Mother Goose and Nursery Rhymes, illustrated by Philip Reed

1963 Medal Winner

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
 - A boy experiences the first snowfall of the year.

Honor Books:

• The Sun is a Golden Earring, illustrated by Bernarda Bryson; text: Natalia M. Belting
• Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present, illustrated by Maurice Sendak; text: Charlotte Zolotow

1962 Medal Winner

Once a Mouse, retold and illustrated by Marcia Brown
 - A mouse is saved by a hermit but becomes proud and ungrateful.

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

1961 Medal Winner

Baboushka and the Three Kings, illustrated by Nicolas Sidjakov; text: Ruth Robbins
 W - Baboushka does not follow the wise men, and must now search in vain for the Christ Child.

Honor Book:

Inch by Inch, by Leo Lionni

1960 Medal Winner

Nine Days to Christmas, illustrated by Marie Hall Ets; text: Marie Hall Ets and Aurora Labastida
- Young Mexican girl waits eagerly for her first posada.

Honor Books:

• Houses from the Sea, illustrated by Adrienne Adams; text: Alice E. Goudey
• The Moon Jumpers, illustrated by Maurice Sendak; text: Janice May Udry

1959 Medal Winner

Chanticleer and the Fox, illustrated by Barbara Cooney; text: adapted from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales by Barbara Cooney
 - Chanticleer, king of the barnyard, succumbs to the flattery of a conniving fox.

Honor Books:

• The House that Jack Built: La Maison Que Jacques A Batie by Antonio Frasconi
• What Do You Say, Dear? illustrated by Maurice Sendak; text: Sesyle Joslin
• Umbrella by Taro Yashima

1958 Medal Winner

Time of Wonder by Robert McCloskey
 - A summer on the islands of Maine.

Honor Books:

• Fly High, Fly Low by Don Freeman
• Anatole and the Cat, illustrated by Paul Galdone; text: Eve Titus

1957 Medal Winner

A Tree is Nice, illustrated by Marc Simont; text: Janice Udry
 - Trees are nice, and here are some reasons why.

Honor Books:

• Mr. Penny's Race Horse by Marie Hall Ets
• 1 is One by Tasha Tudor
• Anatole, illustrated by Paul Galdone; text: Eve Titus
• Gillespie and the Guards, illustrated by James Daugherty; text: Benjamin Elkin
• Lion by William Pène du Bois

1956 Medal Winner

Frog Went A-Courtin', illustrated by Feodor Rojankovsky; text: retold by John Langstaff
 -  Frog rides off to court Miss Mouse and they have a splendid wedding feast.

Honor Books:

• Play With Me, by Marie Hall Ets
• Crow Boy by Taro Yashima

1955 Medal Winner

Cinderella, or the Little Glass Slipper, illustrated by Marcia Brown; text: translated from Charles Perrault by Marcia Brown
 - Kind and gentle Cinderella is sent to the ball by her fairy godmother.

Honor Books:

• Book of Nursery and Mother Goose Rhymes, illustrated by Marguerite de Angeli
• Wheel On The Chimney, illustrated by Tibor Gergely; text: Margaret Wise Brown
• The Thanksgiving Story, illustrated by Helen Sewell; text: Alice Dalgliesh

1954 Medal Winner

Madeline's Rescue by Ludwig Bemelmans
 V - Madeline falls into the river Seine but is rescued by a brave dog.

Honor Books:

• Journey Cake, Ho! illustrated by Robert McCloskey; text: Ruth Sawyer
• When Will the World Be Mine? illustrated by Jean Charlot; text: Miriam Schlein
• The Steadfast Tin Soldier, illustrated by Marcia Brown; text: Hans Christian Andersen, translated by M. R. James
• A Very Special House, illustrated by Maurice Sendak; text: Ruth Krauss
• Green Eyes by A. Birnbaum

1953 Medal Winner

The Biggest Bear by Lynd Ward
 - Johnny adopts a bear cub, and then learns to let go as it becomes too big to keep. 

Honor Books:

• Puss in Boots, illustrated by Marcia Brown; text: translated from Charles Perrault by Marcia Brown
• One Morning in Maine by Robert McCloskey
• Ape in a Cape: An Alphabet of Odd Animals by Fritz Eichenberg
• The Storm Book, illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham; text: Charlotte Zolotow
• Five Little Monkeys by Juliet Kepes

1952 Medal Winner

Finders Keepers, illustrated by Nicolas, pseud. (Nicholas Mordvinoff); text: Will, pseud. [William Lipkind]
F - Nap and Winkle can't decide who should get to keep the bone.

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 Pène du Bois
• Feather Mountain by Elizabeth Olds

1951 Medal Winner

The Egg Tree, by Katherine Milhous
 W - A Pennsylvania Dutch Easter involves brightly colored eggs but no mention of Jesus.

Honor Books:

• Dick Whittington and his Cat by Marcia Brown
• The Two Reds, ill. by Nicolas, pseud. (Nicholas Mordvinoff); text: Will, pseud. [William Lipkind]
• If I Ran the Zoo by Dr. Seuss, pseud. [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

1950 Medal Winner

Song of the Swallows by Leo Politi
 -  A boy fascinated with the swallows of San Juan Capistrano waits eagerly for their yearly return on St. Joseph's Day.

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 Simont; text: Ruth Krauss
• Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss, pseud. [Theodor Seuss Geisel]
• Henry Fisherman by Marcia Brown

1949 Medal Winner

The Big Snow by Berta & Elmer Hader
 - The woodland animals are unprepared for the big snow.

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

1948 Medal Winner

White Snow, Bright Snow, illustrated by Roger Duvoisin; text: Alvin Tresselt
 - The postman, policeman, farmer, housewife, and children wait for the first snow.

Honor Books:

• Stone Soup by Marcia Brown
• McElligot's Pool by Dr. Seuss, pseud. [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

1947 Medal Winner

The Little Island, illustrated by Leonard Weisgard; text: Golden MacDonald, pseud. [Margaret Wise Brown]
 - Seasons change on a little island.

Honor Books:

• Rain Drop Splash, illustrated by Leonard Weisgard; text: Alvin Tresselt
• Boats on the River, illustrated by Jay Hyde Barnum; text: Marjorie Flack
• Timothy Turtle, illustrated by Tony Palazzo; text: Al Graham
• Pedro, the Angel of Olvera Street by Leo Politi
• Sing in Praise: A Collection of the Best Loved Hymns, illustrated by Marjorie Torrey; text: selected by Opal Wheeler

1946 Medal Winner

The Rooster Crows by Maud & Miska Petersham
 V - Classic nursery rhymes are illustrated with pictures of colonial and frontier America.

Honor Books:

• Little Lost Lamb, illustrated by Leonard Weisgard; text: Golden MacDonald, pseud. [Margaret Wise Brown]
• Sing Mother Goose, illustrated by Marjorie Torrey; music: Opal Wheeler
• My Mother is the Most Beautiful Woman in the World, illustrated by Ruth Gannett; text: Becky Reyher
• You Can Write Chinese by Kurt Wiese

1945 Medal Winner

Prayer for a Child, illustrated by Elizabeth Orton Jones; text: Rachel Field
W - 1940's bedtime prayer asks God to bless people and objects.

Honor Books:

• Mother Goose, illustrated by Tasha Tudor
• In the Forest by Marie Hall Ets
• Yonie Wondernose by Marguerite de Angeli
• The Christmas Anna Angel, illustrated by Kate Seredy; text: Ruth Sawyer

1944 Medal Winner

Many Moons, illustrated by Louis Slobodkin; text: James Thurber
 - Princess Lenore will not be well until she can have the moon, but the moon cannot be gotten. Or can it?

Honor Books:

• Small Rain: Verses From The Bible, illustrated by Elizabeth Orton Jones; text: selected by Jessie Orton Jones
• Pierre Pidgeon, illustrated by Arnold E. Bare; text: Lee Kingman
• The Mighty Hunter by Berta & Elmer Hader
• A Child's Good Night Book, illustrated by Jean Charlot; text: Margaret Wise Brown
• Good-Luck Horse, illustrated by Plato Chan; text: Chih-Yi Chan

1943 Medal Winner

The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton
 - A Little House in the country ends up living in the city thanks to progress.

Honor Books:

• Dash and Dart by Mary & Conrad Buff
• Marshmallow by Clare Turlay Newberry

1942 Medal Winner

Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
 - Mrs. Mallard and her eight ducklings cross the busy streets of Boston with a little help from a kindly policeman.

Honor Books:

• An American ABC by Maud & Miska Petersham
• In My Mother's House, illustrating by Velino Herrera; text: Ann Nolan Clark
• Paddle-To-The-Sea by Holling C. Holling
• Nothing At All, by Wanda Gág

1941 Medal Winner

They Were Strong and Good, by Robert Lawson
- Years of American history told through the lives of Lawson's ancestors.

Honor Book:

• April's Kittens by Clare Turlay Newberry

1940 Medal Winner

Abraham Lincoln by Ingri & Edgar Parin d'Aulaire
 W - The idealized life of Abraham Lincoln, folk hero of freedom rather than historical figure.

Honor Books:

• Cock-a-Doodle Doo by Berta & Elmer Hader
• Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
• The Ageless Story by Lauren Ford

1939 Medal Winner

Mei Li, by Thomas Handforth
W - Mei Li competes against her brother to see who can have the most fun at the fair.

Honor Books:

• Andy and the Lion by James Daugherty
• Barkis by Clare Turlay Newberry
• The Forest Pool by Laura Adams Armer
• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs by Wanda Gág
• Wee Gillis, illustrated by Robert Lawson; text: Munro Leaf

1938 Medal Winner

Animals of the Bible, A Picture Book , illustrated by Dorothy P. Lathrop; text: selected by Helen Dean Fish
 - A selection of passages from the Bible featuring animals, majestically illustrated.

Honor Books:

• Four and Twenty Blackbirds, illustrated by Robert Lawson; text: compiled by Helen Dean Fish
• Seven Simeons: A Russian Tale, retold and illustrated by Boris Artzybasheff