January is Caldecott Month!

The Caldecott Award is one of the most prestigious awards for children's books. It started in 1938 and is given every year to the "most distinguished American picture book for children." The top prize is the Caldecott Medal, while runners up are given the Caldecott Honor. 

Only picture books are considered for the Caldecott and the prize is awarded based on the quality of the pictures and how well they serve the story. Winning books catapult to the top of shopping lists in libraries and book stores around the world. In our library, we have over 100 picture books that have been awarded either a Caldecott Medal or a Caldecott Honor. 

But why do we spend all four weeks in January talking about it?

Discussing the Caldecott gives us opportunities to talk about the following things:

 

1. Art appreciation! The winning books feature a wide variety of artistic styles and mediums. We get to discuss and appreciate that variety.  

2. Visual literacy. We discuss how the pictures tell a part of the story, communicating mood, setting, and emotion.  

3. Understanding literary awards. As students learn about the awards and why they matter, they can learn about what criteria are used in selecting high-quality materials. 

4. Motivation to explore. Discovering high-quality picture books encourages students to browse shelves and displays. 

5. Connection between art, storytelling, and culture. Many Caldecott books reflect diverse cultures and explore social themes of identity and community. This can help students learn how books can mirror their own lives and open windows into the lives of others. 

 

Here are our Caldecott winners from the last five years! 

 

 

Mrs. Tricia Fraser

tfraser@icsbudapest.org