Caldecott Medal
The Caldecott Medal is a prestigious annual award given to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. Established in 1937 by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), the medal is named after Randolph Caldecott, a 19th-century English illustrator known for his innovative and influential children’s book illustrations.
Key aspects of the Caldecott Medal include:
Eligibility: The award is given to books published in the United States during the preceding year. The artist must be a U.S. citizen or resident.
Criteria: The medal is awarded based on artistic excellence, with consideration given to the book’s overall design, execution of artistic technique, and appropriateness of style to the story.
Selection process: A committee of librarians and other children’s literature experts reviews eligible books and selects the winner through a series of discussions and votes.
Honor books: In addition to the medal winner, the committee may name one or more Honor Books, which are also considered distinguished.
Impact: Winning the Caldecott Medal often leads to increased sales and recognition for the artist and the book, and can significantly influence trends in children’s book illustration.
The Caldecott Medal has recognized many iconic children’s books over the years, contributing to the development and appreciation of picture book art in children’s literature.