What makes a book a caldecott winner

Submissions that are dropped off in-person to the ALSC office will not be accepted. The ALSC office cannot answer eligibility questions or advise on which award your submission is eligible for consideration. It is up to you to review the terms and criteria and if you feel you qualify, submit as appropriate.

Eligibility is determined by the committee and is confidential. The Bookapalooza Program selects three libraries to receive a Bookapalooza collection of these materials to be used in a way that creatively enhances their library service to children and families. Deadline for submitting books is December 31 of the publication year. The medalist and honor book recipients are announced at the youth media awards press conference during the American Library Association's Midwinter Meeting in late January.

Skip to main content. The Caldecott Medal: Weighs 3. Has a 2 and one-third inch diameter. A few words about Randolph Caldecott and his illustrations Terms The Medal shall be awarded annually to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children published by an American publisher in the United States in English during the preceding year.

Marked by excellence in quality. Marked by conspicuous excellence or eminence. Individually distinct. Revised, Midwinter Revised, Annual How to submit books for consideration for the Caldecott Medal: Review the terms and criteria below for the award.

You can also review the manual below for comprehensive information about the Caldecott Medal. Mail one copy of the book to the award committee chair. Please fill out this form for the shipping address.

If you wish, you may attach a cover letter with your contact information to your final work. There is no entry fee for the Caldecott Medal. ALSC membership is not a requirement to submit your work. Please note: The ALSC office requests that one copy of your submission be sent to the committee chair. A cumulative folk song in which seven soldiers build a magnificent cannon, but Drummer Hoff fires it off.

The illustrator is Evaline Ness. But when her tall stories bring disaster to her friend Thomas and her cat Bangs, Sam learns to distinguish between moonshine and reality. In this Scottish folk song, a generous family always has room for another person and invites in everyone who passes by.

The illustrator is Beni Montresor. A well-mannered little boy has permission to bring his animal friends to visit the king and queen. The illustrator is Maurice Sendak. A naughty little boy, sent to bed without his supper, sails to the land of the wild things where he becomes their king. The illustrator is Ezra Jack Keats. The adventures of a little boy in the city on a very snowy day. A fable from Ancient India about a hermit's pet who changes from mouse, to cat, to dog, to tiger, becoming increasingly vain in the process.

The illustrator is Nicolas Sidjakov. A Russian folktale about an old woman's endless search for the Christ child. The illustrator is Marie Hall Ets. A sly fox tries to outwit a proud rooster through the use of flattery.

The illustrator is Robert McCloskey. The spell of rain, gulls, a foggy morning, the excitement of sailing, the quiet of the night, the sudden terror of a hurricane, and the peace of a Maine island as a family packs up to leave are shown in poetic language and vibrant, evocative pictures.

The illustrator is Marc Simont. A simple and elegant story about the many pleasures a tree provides. The illustrator is Feodor Rojankovsky. An illustrated version of the well-known American folk song about the courtship and marriage of the frog and the mouse.

In her haste to flee the palace before the fairy godmother's magic loses effect, Cinderella leaves behind a glass slipper. The illustrator is Ludwig Bemelmans. A hound rescues a schoolgirl from the Seine, becomes a beloved school pet, is chased away by the trustees, and returns with a surprise. The illustrator is Lynd Ward. Johnny goes hunting for a bearskin to hang on his family's barn and returns with a small bundle of trouble.

The illustrator is Nicolas Nicholas Mordvinoff. Two dogs who have found a bone can't decide who should eat it. The illustrator is Katherine Milhous. One Easter morning, Katy and Carl went on an egg hunt through Grandmom's house. When Katy went up to the attic she discovered a very special set of eggs. Grandmom had painted them when she was a little girl. And now, she hung them from the branches of a tiny tree -- an Egg Tree!

So began a very special Easter tradition. The illustrator is Leo Politi. Sad when the swallows leave for the winter, young Juan prepares to welcome them back to the old Calfornia Mission at Capistrano on St.

Joseph's Day the next spring. The illustrators are Berta and Elmer Hader. Despite their elaborate preparations for the winter, the animals and birds are delighted by a surprise banquet after a big snow. The illustrator is Roger Duvoisin. When it begins to look, feel, and smell like snow, everyone prepares for a winter blizzard.

The illustrator is Leonard Weisgard. Once there was a little island in the ocean. That little island changed with the seasons and the storms, it changed from day to night. Then one day a kitten visited the little island and learned a secret. The illustrators are Maud and Miska Petersham. The illustrator is E. A prayer filled with familiar things - bed, shoes, friends and parents. The illustrator is Louis Slobodkin. Though many try, only the court jester is able to fulfill Princess Lenore's one wish.

The illustrator is Virginia Lee Burton. A little house is built in the country, but soon a city is built around it. The little house dreams of someday being out in the country again. The busy Boston streets are too dangerous for eight little ducklings! But with a little help from a friendly policeman Mrs.

Mallard and her family arrive safely at their new home in the public garden. The illustrator is Robert Lawson. This is an illustrated history of Robert Lawson's family.

The illustrators are Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire. Text and illustrations depict the life of a boy born on the Kentucky frontier who became one of the most beloved presidents. The illustrator is Thomas Handforth. Lathrop Call Number: Easy The illustrator is Dorothy P. Thirty richly detailed black-and-white drawings illustrate the stories of the Creation, Noah's Ark, the first Christmas, and many others.

The text is from the King James Bible. Caldecott Medal. Coldecott Honor Books Just like the Newbery Awards, the Caldecott Awards committee gives the title of "Honor Book" to the "runners up," creating an extensive list of award-worthy children's books for authors, librarians, general readers, and all other interested parties to read.

Terms The Medal shall be awarded annually to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children published by an American publisher in the United States in English during the preceding year. There are no limitations as to the character of the picture book except that the illustrations be original work. Honor books may be named.

These shall be books that are also truly distinguished. The award is restricted to artists who are citizens or residents of the United States. Books published in a U. The committee in its deliberations is to consider only books eligible for the award, as specified in the terms.