Caldecott Medal Winners

The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. A complete list of winners can be found here.

Updated November 21, 2023
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
Hot Dog
Salati, Doug
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * WINNER OF THE 2023 CALDECOTT MEDAL * This glowing and playful picture book features an overheated--and overwhelmed--pup who finds his calm with some sea, sand, and fresh air. Destined to become a classic! NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS...
2023
Big
Harrison, Vashti
Paper Book
Winner of the Caldecott Medal! A Coretta Scott King Award Author and Illustrator Honor book, a National Book Award finalist, and a New York Times bestseller! This deeply moving story shares valuable lessons about fitting in, standing out, and the beauty of joyful acceptance,...

2024

The undefeated
Alexander, Kwame
Paper Book
Winner of the 2020 Caldecott Medal A 2020 Newbery Honor Book Winner of the 2020 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award The Newbery Award-winning author of THE CROSSOVER pens an ode to black American triumph and tribulation, with art from a two-time...
2020
Watercress
Wang, Andrea
Paper Book
Caldecott Medal Winner Newbery Honor Book APALA Award Winner A story about the power of sharing memories--including the painful ones--and the way our heritage stays with and shapes us, even when we don't see it.  New England Book Award Winner
2022
We are water protectors
Lindstrom, Carole
Paper Book
A beautifully illustrated, lyrical exploration of the values, connections and wisdom of Indigenous people as it relates to water and Mother Earth. This book was inspired by the many Indigenous led movements in North America to protect water as a sacred source of and for life.
2021
Hello Lighthouse
Blackall, Sophie
Paper Book
A beloved picture book from two-time Caldecott Medal award-winner Sophie Blackall that transports readers to the seaside in timeless, nautical splendor! Watch the days and seasons pass as the wind blows, the fog rolls in, and icebergs drift by. Outside, there is water all around....
2019
Wolf in the snow
Cordell, Matthew
Paper Book
Winner of the 2018 Caldecott Medal A girl is lost in a snowstorm. A wolf cub is lost, too. How will they find their way home? Paintings rich with feeling tell this satisfying story of friendship and trust. Wolf in the Snow is a book set on a wintry...
2018
Locomotive
Floca, Brian.
DVD
It is the summer of 1869, and trains, crews, and family are traveling together, riding America's brand-new transcontinental railroad. These pages come alive with the details of the trip and the sounds, speed, and strength of the mighty locomotives; the work that keeps them moving; and the thrill of...
2014
This is not my hat
Klassen, J.
Paper Book
The 2013 Caldecott Medal winner! From the creator of the #1 New York Times best-selling and award-winning I Want My Hat Back comes a second wry tale. When a tiny fish shoots into view wearing a round blue topper (which happens to fit him perfectly),...

2013

Radiant child : the story of young artist Jean-Michel Basquiat
Steptoe, Javaka
Paper Book
Winner of the Randolph Caldecott Medal and the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award! Jean-Michel Basquiat and his unique, collage-style paintings rocketed to fame in the 1980s as a cultural phenomenon unlike anything the art world had ever seen. But before that, he...
2017
Finding Winnie : the true story of the world's most famous bear
Mattick, Lindsay.
Paper Book
A #1 New York Times Bestseller and Winner of the Caldecott Medal about the remarkable true story of the bear who inspired Winnie-the-Pooh. In 1914, Harry Colebourn, a veterinarian on his way to tend horses in World War I, followed his heart and rescued a baby bear. He...
2016
A ball for Daisy
Raschka, Christopher.
Paper Book
Winner of the 2012 Randolph Caldecott Medal . A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the Century This New York Times Bestseller and New York Times Best Illustrated Book relates a story about love and loss as only Chris Rashcka can tell it. Any child who has...

2012

A sick day for Amos McGee
Stead, Philip Christian.
Paper Book
THE BEST SICK DAY EVER and the animals in the zoo feature in this striking picture book debut. Friends come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. In Amos McGee's case, all sorts of species, too! Every day he spends a little bit of time with each of his friends at the zoo, running races...

2011

The adventures of Beekle : the unimaginary friend
Santat, Dan
Paper Book
Winner of the Caldecott Medal #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning creator Dan Santat combines classic storytelling with breathtaking art in an unforgettable tale about friendship, imagination, and the courage to find one's place in...
2015
The house in the night
Swanson, Susan Marie.
Paper Book
This Caldecott Medal-winning picture book gets children ready for bed with rhythmic text and glowing illustrations that explore the warmth and light that makes us feel at home. "Here is the key to the house." Inside the house are nighttime things both...

2009

The lion & the mouse
Pinkney, Jerry.
Paper Book
Winner of the Caldecott Medal This New York Times bestselling and award-winning fable of compassion and kindness, as reimagined by legendary artist Jerry Pinkney, is an essential addition to any bookshelf of children's classics.

2010

So you want to be president
St. George, Judith
Paper Book
This new version of the Caldecott-winning classic by illustrator David Small and author Judith St. George is updated with current facts and new illustrations to include our forty-second president, George W. Bush. There are now three Georges in the catalog of presidential names, a Bush alongside the...

2001

Snowflake Bentley
Martin, Jacqueline Briggs.
Ebook
In this Caldecott Medal-winning picture book, the true story of Wilson Bentley and his singular fascination with snowflakes is rendered in rich prose and gorgeous artwork, perfect for the holidays, snow days, and everyday. Wilson Bentley was always fascinated by...

1999

The invention of Hugo Cabret : a novel in words and pictures
Selznick, Brian.
Paper Book
Don't miss Selznick's other novels in words and pictures, Wonderstruck and The Marvels, which together with The Invention of Hugo Cabret, form an extraordinary thematic trilogy!2008 Caldecott Medal winnerThe groundbreaking debut novel from bookmaking pioneer, Brian Selznick!<...

2008

Officer Buckle and Gloria
Rathmann, Peggy.
Paper Book
One of the funniest winners of the Caldecott Medal, this story of unlikely friends getting over a misunderstanding is a sure-fire crowd-pleaser. Officer Buckle knows more about safety than anyone in the town of Napville. But whenever he tries to share his safety tips, nobody...

1996

Tuesday
Wiesner, David
Ebook
The unpredictable events of a particular Tuesday unroll before the reader with the precision and clarity of a silent movie.   A Caldecott Medal book.
The Polar Express
Van Allsburg, Chris.
Paper Book
The Polar Expressis a treasured holiday tradition. This lavish gift set includes a CD audio recording read by Liam Neeson, a keepsake "All Aboard" ornament, and a note from author Chris Van Allsburg. Awarded the prestigious Caldecott Medal...

1986

Flotsam
Wiesner, David.
Paper Book
In this extraordinary Caldecott Medal winner and New York Times bestseller by David Wiesner, a beach day is the springboard to a wildly imaginative exploration of fantastical mysteries of the deep--and of human connections through time. A young boy comes to the beach eager to...

2007

Saint George and the dragon
Hodges, Margaret.
Paper Book
Winner of the Caldecott Medal   Adorned with astonishingly beautiful art from beloved children's illustrator Trina Schart Hyman, here is an award-winning tale of bravery, perseverance, and peace. This breathtakingly illustrated...

1985

Jumanji
Van Allsburg, Chris.
Paper Book
Roll the dice, make your move, and plunge into one of the most imaginative stories of our time! The game under the tree looked like a hundred others Peters and Judy had at home. But they were searching for something interesting to do, so they decided to give Jumanji a try. Little did they...

1982

Fables
Lobel, Arnold.
Paper Book
Winner of the Caldecott Medal A pig flying through marshmallow clouds? A camel pirouetting through the desert? Where else could a reader find such marvelous things but in a fable? From the author-illustrator behind beloved Frog and Toad, Arnold Lobel, comes a collection of humorous, silly...

1981

Why mosquitoes buzz in people's ears : a West African tale
Aardema, Verna.
Paper Book
"In this Caldecott Medal winner, Mosquito tells a story that causes a jungle disaster. "Elegance has become the Dillons' hallmark. . . . Matching the art is Aardema's uniquely onomatopoeic text . . . An impressive showpiece." -Booklist, starred review. Winner of...

1976

Sylvester and the magic pebble
Steig, William
Ebook

1970

Where the wild things are
Sendak, Maurice.
Paper Book
Maurice Sendak's Caldecott Medal-winning picture book has become one of the most highly acclaimed and best-loved children's books of all time. A must for every child's bookshelf. This iconic story has inspired a movie, an opera, and the imagination of generations. When Max dresses in his...

1964

The snowy day
Keats, Ezra Jack.
Paper Book
The magic and wonder of winter's first snowfall is perfectly captured in Ezra Jack Keat's Caldecott Medal-winning picture book. This celebrated classic has been shared by generations of readers and listeners, a must-have for every child's bookshelf and a perfect gift for the holiday season....

1963

Madeline's rescue
Bemelmans, Ludwig
Paper Book
Winner of the Caldecott Medal "In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines lived twelve little girls in two straight lines the smallest one was Madeline."     Nothing...

1954

Make way for ducklings
McCloskey, Robert
Paper Book
Mrs. Mallard was sure that the pond in the Boston Public Gardens would be a perfect place for her and her eight ducklings to live. The problem was how to get them there through the busy streets of Boston. But with a little help from the Boston police, Mrs. Mallard and Jack, Kack, Lack, Nack, Ouack,...

1942


Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.