As a mom (of two children – 6 & 10) I find that I spend an exhaustive amount of time encouraging my children to read. They enjoy books. (They have even been known to REQUEST going to the library) but their level of passion and mine? They aren’t very copacetic. Anywho, this past year I noticed that (despite my 6-year-olds brilliance when it comes to things like math or social studies) she is a little behind level when it comes to reading. In an effort to help her along I devised a plan. I would read (to her) as many of the Caldecott Medal books I could find. Why Caldecott winners? Easy, because the list boast some of MY favorite books as a child. And my theory: If I loved them, there’s a pretty solid chance my mini-me would love them too. If in fact she DID love them? I would help her learn how to read them herself. (Cause there’s nothing worse than being forced to read a book that you don’t enjoy. Right?) So, over the past few months we have covered a pretty hefty list. (A Sick Day for Amos McGee, A Ball for Daisy, This is Not My Hat and The House in the Night. Just to name a few.) But NONE of them have sparked her interest (as impressively) as THIS years winner: The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend. And with VERY GOOD reason! This book is pretty fantastic. The illustrations, the story…they inspire imagination! The very thing I long for my children to have.
So what does this have to do with you?
Well, for those of you that have children (or even those of you that just love a great picture book) I figured you could never have too many book recommendations, and Caldecott winners and honors books are a GREAT place to start. So here they are, this years winners.
AND, a little history on Caldecott. (Go History!!)
Happy Reading.
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 Gilpinastride a runaway horse. The reverse is based on “Four and twenty blackbirds bak’d in a pie”, one of Caldecott’s illustrations for the nursery rhyme “Sing a Song of Sixpence“.
Beside the Caldecott Medal, the committee awards a variable number of citations to worthy runners-up, called the Caldecott Honors or Caldecott Honor Books. Recently there are two to four annual Honors. 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.”
Continue reading on Wiki...
Click HERE to view all of the winners and honors since 1937!
The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend
Find it on Amazon! This magical story begins on an island far away where an imaginary friend is born. He patiently waits his turn to be chosen by a real child, but when he is overlooked time and again, he sets off on an incredible journey to the bustling city, where he finally meets his perfect match and-at long last-is given his special name: Beekle. New York Times bestselling and award-winning author and illustrator Dan Santat combines classic storytelling with breathtaking art, creating an unforgettable tale about friendship, imagination, and the courage to find one’s place in the world.
The Illustrations
Honors Books!
This One Summer / Sam & Dave Dig a Hole / The Noisy Paint Box / The Right Word
Reading is CONTAGIOUS…pass it on!
