Caldecott Medal
The Randolph Caldecott Medal annually recognizes the preceding year's "most distinguished American picture book for children", beginning with 1937 publications. It is awarded to the illustrator by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA).[1] The Caldecott and Newbery Medals are the most prestigious American children's book awards.
Caldecott Medal | |
---|---|
Awarded for | "the most distinguished American picture book for children" |
Country | United States |
Presented by | Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association |
First awarded | 1938 |
Website | ala |
Beside the Caldecott Medal, the committee awards a variable number of citations to worthy runners-up, called the Caldecott Honors or Caldecott Honor Books. The "Honor" was introduced in 1971, but some runners-up had been identified annually and all those runners-up were retroactively named Caldecott Honor Books.[2] The number of Honors or runners-up had always been one to five, and it had been two to four since 1994, until five were named in 2013 and six in 2015. The Honor Books must be a subset of the runners-up on the final ballot, either the leading runners-up on that ballot or the leaders on one further ballot that excludes the winner.[3]
History
The Caldecott was suggested in 1937 by Frederic G. Melcher, former editor of Publishers Weekly following the establishment of the Newbery Medal in 1921.[4]:1 The American Library Association adopted Melcher's suggestion of awarding a medal to the best illustrator, "who had created the most distinguished picture book of the year."[5] According to children's literature expert Leonard S. Marcus, the award helped draw-in American artists to the field of children's books.[6]
The award has been changed and tweaked over the years, with the most recent changes in 2009. When the award was founded books could be considered either for the Newbery or the Caldecott, with the same committee judging both awards. The committee had noted other books of merit, which were frequently referred to as runner-ups. In 1971 these books were formally named Newbery Honor books, with this name applied retroactively. In 1977 books became eligible for both awards and beginning with the 1980 award separate committees for each award were formed. Until 1958 a previous winner could win again only by unanimous vote of the committee and in 1963 joint winners were first permitted.[4]:2
Medal
The award is named for Randolph Caldecott, a nineteenth-century English illustrator. Rene Paul Chambellan designed the Medal in 1937. The obverse scene is derived from Randolph Caldecott's front cover illustration for The Diverting History of John Gilpin (Routledge, 1878, an edition of the 1782 poem by William Cowper), which depicts Gilpin astride a runaway horse.[2][7] The reverse is based on "Four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie", one of Caldecott's illustrations for the nursery rhyme "Sing a Song of Sixpence".[7] Each illustrator receives a bronze copy of the medal, which despite being awarded by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), lists the original the Children's Librarian's Section as the awarding group for historical reasons.[4]:3[8]:8
Eligibility and criteria
A picture book, according the award criteria, provides "a visual experience. A picture book has a collective unity of story-line, theme, or concept, developed through the series of pictures" that constitute the book.[10] The Medal is "for distinguished illustrations in a picture book and for excellence of pictorial presentation for children".[10] Specifically the illustrations are judged on their in their artistic technique, interpretation of the book's story and theme, the fit between the illustrations and the story and themes, the precision of depiction of elements of the book like characters and mood, and how well the illustrations serve their targeted audience. Honor books need to fulfill the same criteria. The book must be self-contained, independent of other media for its enjoyment. Components other than illustration, including the book's text or overall design, may be considered as they affect the overall effectiveness of the book's illustrations.[10]
To be eligible for the Caldecott the artist must be a US citizen or resident and the book must have been published in English the United States first, or simultaneously to other countries. Picture books for any audience up to age 14 may be considered.[10] In December 2019 Leonard Marcus suggested that the Caldecott had achieved its mission in the US and the award should be expanded so children's book illustrations from anywhere in the world be considered.[11]
Selection process
The committee that decides on the Caldecott Award winner comprises fifteen members of ALSC. Seven members are elected by the entire ALSC membership and eight, including the chairperson, are appointed by the ALSC President. Members are chosen based on their experience and to ensure a diversity of libraries (e.g. public and school, small and large) and geographical areas are represented.[8]:7 Publishers send copies of books to the committee; 2009 members each received more than 700.[12] However, a book does not need to be sent to the committee to be considered.[8]:27 Instead, to help identify possible contenders, committee members formally nominate 7 books in three rounds over the year and less formally recommend others.[12]
At ALSC's annual midwinter meeting, held in late January or early February, the committee will discuss the nominations and hold vote on the winner.[8]:8 When voting, committee members list their first place, second place, and third place selections. Each vote is assigned a point value, with first place votes receiving four points, second place three points, and third place two points. The winner must receive at least 8 first place votes and be at least 8 points ahead of the second place finisher.[8]:38 After a winner is selected, the committee can decide whether to award any honor books. Honor books may be chosen from runner-ups to the winner or selected in a separate ballot.[8]:39 The winner and honor books are kept secret until they are publicly announced, with the committee calling the winning illustrators the morning of the announcement.[8]:40
In 2015, K. T. Horning of the University of Wisconsin–Madison's Cooperative Children's Book Center proposed to ALSC that old discussions of the Newbery and Caldecott be made public in the service of researchers and historians.[13] This proposal was met with both support and criticism by former committee members and recognized authors.[14][15] As of 2020 no change has been made.
Impact and analysis
The Caldecott and Newbery awards have historically been considered the most important children's book awards.[16][17] Anita Silvey, children's book author, editor, and critic, suggests they might even be the most important book awards, "No other award has the economic significance of the Newbery and Caldecott”.[6] According to Silvey a Caldecott winner can have sales increased from 2,000 to 100,000-200,000. Silvey also credits the Caldecott for helping to establish Bradbury Press and Roaring Brook Press as important publishers. It can also be an important recognition for authors. According to Marcus, Where the Wild Things Are brought its author and illustrator, Maurice Sendak to national prominence.[6]
A 1999 study on the reading levels of Caldecott recipients suggested that most winners were written at the elementary age level, with the average reading level having decreased over time.[18] A 2007 study of Caldecott recipients found that the prevalence and importance of female characters had risen and fallen several times over the history of the Caldecott. It also found that unlike recipients of the Pura Belpré Award and Coretta Scott King Award, the behaviors of male and female characters remained distinct and adhered to traditional gender norms.[19] A different 2007 study by one of the same authors also found an increase in the number of minority characters following a 1965 critic by Nancy Larrick however the number of minorities had fallen by the 2000s.[20] In recent years there has been an increase in the number of minority characters and illustrators recognized.[21][22]
Recipients
The annual number of runners-up has ranged from one to six, same as for the Newbery Medal during the same timespan, from 1938. Indeed, for twenty years from 1993 to 2012 there were two to four Honors every year.
Multiple award winners
Listed below are all illustrators who have won at least two Caldecott Medals or who have won a Medal and multiple Honors.
Illustrator | # of Total Medals and Honors | # of Caldecott Medals | Caldecott Medals | # of Caldecott Honors | Caldecott Honors |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sophie Blackall | 2 | 2 | 2016, 2019 | ||
Marcia Brown | 9 | 3 | 1955, 1962, 1983 | 6 | 1948, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954 |
Barbara Cooney | 2 | 2 | 1959, 1980 | ||
Leo and Diane Dillon | 2 | 2 | 1976, 1977 | ||
Marie Hall Ets | 6 | 1 | 1960 | 5 | 1945, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1966 |
Stephen Gammell | 3 | 1 | 1989 | 2 | 1982, 1986 |
Nonny Hogrogian | 3 | 2 | 1966, 1972 | 1 | 1977 |
Berta and Elmer Hader | 3 | 1 | 1949 | 2 | 1940, 1944 |
Kevin Henkes | 3 | 1 | 2005 | 2 | 1994, 2016 |
Trina Schart Hyman | 4 | 1 | 1985 | 3 | 1984, 1990, 2000 |
Jon Klassen | 3 | 1 | 2013 | 2 | 2013, 2015 |
Robert Lawson | 3 | 1 | 1941 | 2 | 1938, 1939 |
Blair Lent | 4 | 1 | 1973 | 3 | 1965, 1969, 1971 |
Arnold Lobel | 3 | 1 | 1981 | 2 | 1971, 1972 |
David Macaulay | 3 | 1 | 1991 | 2 | 1974, 1978 |
Robert McCloskey | 5 | 2 | 1942, 1958 | 3 | 1949, 1953, 1954 |
Gerald McDermott | 3 | 1 | 1975 | 2 | 1973, 1994 |
Kadir Nelson | 3 | 1 | 2020 | 2 | 2007, 2008 |
Evaline Ness | 4 | 1 | 1967 | 3 | 1964, 1965, 1966 |
Jerry Pinkney | 6 | 1 | 2010 | 5 | 1989, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2003 |
Leo Politi | 3 | 1 | 1950 | 2 | 1947, 1949 |
Chris Raschka | 3 | 2 | 2006, 2012 | 1 | 1994 |
Uri Shulevitz | 4 | 1 | 1969 | 3 | 1980, 1999, 2009 |
Maurice Sendak | 8 | 1 | 1964 | 7 | 1954, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1971, 1982 |
Marc Simont | 3 | 1 | 1957 | 2 | 1950, 2002 |
David Small | 3 | 1 | 2001 | 2 | 1998, 2013 |
Chris Van Allsburg | 3 | 2 | 1982, 1986 | 1 | 1980 |
Leonard Weisgard | 3 | 1 | 1947 | 2 | 1946, 1947 |
David Wiesner | 6 | 3 | 1992, 2002, 2007 | 3 | 1989, 2000, 2014 |
Ed Young | 3 | 1 | 1990 | 2 | 1968, 1993 |
Paul O. Zelinsky | 4 | 1 | 1998 | 3 | 1985, 1987, 1995 |
Margot Zemach | 3 | 1 | 1974 | 2 | 1970, 1978 |
See also
- Kate Greenaway Medal, for illustration of a British children's book
- Theodor Seuss Geisel Award, for an American book for beginning readers
- Newbery Medal, for an American children's book
Notes
References
- "Welcome to the Caldecott Medal Home Page". ALSC. ALA. Retrieved 2012-01-11.
- "The Randolph Caldecott Medal". ALSC. ALA. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
- Manual, p. 37.
- The Newbery & Caldecott Awards : a guide to the medal and honor books. Association for Library Service to Children,, American Library Association (2018 ed.). Chicago. ISBN 978-0-8389-1730-5. OCLC 1020310919.CS1 maint: others (link)
- "The Randolph Caldecott Medal". Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC). November 30, 1999. Archived from the original on September 21, 2019. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
- Maughan, Shannon (December 2, 2011). "A Short History of the Newbery and Caldecott Medals". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- Gettins, Elizabeth (December 18, 2017). "Rare Book of the Month: Caldecott for Christmas | Library of Congress Blog". blogs.loc.gov. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
- "Randolph Caldecott Medal Committee Manual". ALSC. ALA. August 2015. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- "Caldecott, Randolph 1846–1886". Children's Literature Review. 2005. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016.
- "[Caldecott] Terms and Criteria". ALSC. ALA. 2008 [1978]. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
- Marcus, Leonard S. (December 12, 2019). "The Caldecott Medal Needs an International Makeover". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
-
Colburn, Nell (February 1, 2010). "Caldecott Confidential: What's next year's best picture book for kids? Please, don't ask". School Library Journal. Reed Business Information: 39–40. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
Colburn chaired the 2009 Caldecott committee. - Horning, Kathleen T. (June 3, 2016). "I Could Tell You About the Newbery and Caldecott Committees. But I Can't. | Up for Debate". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on January 1, 2019. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
- Spicer, Ed (June 3, 2016). "Let Book Awards Committee Members Blab | Up for Debate". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on January 1, 2019. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
- Santat, Dan (June 3, 2016). "Why You Don't Want To Know More About the Newbery and Caldecott | Up for Debate". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on January 1, 2019. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
- "Children's-Book Award To Lincoln Biography". The New York Times. January 12, 1988. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- Quattlebaum, Mary (January 28, 2019). "'Merci Suárez' wins Newbery; 'Hello Lighthouse' claims Caldecott". Washington Post. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- Chamberlain, Julia; Leal, Dorothy (1999). "Caldecott Medal Books and Readability Levels: Not Just "Picture" Books". The Reading Teacher. 52 (8): 898–902. ISSN 0034-0561. JSTOR 20204726.
- Clark, Roger; Keller, Pamela J.; Knights, April; Nabar, Jennifer; Ramsbey, Theil B.; Ramsbey, Thomas (2007). "Let Me Draw You a Picture: Alternative and Changing Views of Gender in Award-Winning PIcture books for Children". International Review of Modern Sociology. 33 (1): 69–96. ISSN 0973-2047. JSTOR 41421255.
- Clark, Roger (2007). "From Margin to Margin? Females and MInorities in Newbery and Caldecott Medal-Winning and Honor Books for Children". International Journal of Sociology of the Family. 33 (2): 263–283. ISSN 0020-7667. JSTOR 23070734.
- Lindsay, Nina. "The 2015 Youth Media Awards: A Crossover Year for Diversity". School Library Journal. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- Yorio, Kara. "Diversity, Debate, and the Magic of Books: A Look at the 2019 Youth Media Awards". School Library Journal. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- Horning, Kathleen T. "Thomas Handforth, China, and the Real Mei Li". The Horn Book. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
- Napoli, Lisa (March 14, 2019). "This 20th century street artist captured the soul of Los Angeles". Curbed LA. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
- Macaulay, David (July–August 1991). "Caldecott Medal Acceptance". Horn Book Magazine. 67 (4). ISSN 0018-5078.
- "Caldecott Medal & Honor Books, 1938–Present". ALSC. ALA. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
- Grenby, M. O. (Matthew Orville) (1970-) Immel, Andrea (2013). The Cambridge companion to children's literature. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-68782-9. OCLC 1013120814.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
- Robinson, Lolly (January 29, 2013). "Caldecott 2013 post mortem". The Horn Book. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- Citations
- "Randolph Caldecott Medal Committee Manual (formatted August 2012)" (PDF). Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC). American Library Association (ALA). June 2009. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
Further reading
- Kolbe, Richard; Joseph C.Lavoie (1981). "Sex-Role Stereotyping in Preschool Children's Picture Books". Social Psychology Quarterly. 44 (4): 369–74. doi:10.2307/3033906. JSTOR 3033906.
- Leonard S. Marcus (August 11, 2013). "Seal Of Approval". New York Times Book Review. Archived from the original on August 11, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
- Smith, Irene (1957). A History of the Newbery and Caldecott Medals. New York: Viking Press.