Caldecott medal award winners

The Randolph Caldecott Medal is a prestigious award annually given to the year’s “most distinguished American picture book for children.” Basically it means it’s a good story with great pictures.

(I’ll slowly update the years below. Titles in italics are ones we’ve read at least once)

2022

Watercress by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Jason Chin

Have You Ever Seen a Flower? by Shawn Harris
Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor
Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Wonder Walkers by Micha Archer

2021

We Are Water Protectors - illustrated by Michaela Goade, written by Carole Lindstrom

A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart - illustrated by Noa Denmon, written by Zetta Elliott
The Cat Man of Aleppo - illustrated by Yuko Shimizu, written by Irene Latham & Karim Shamsi-Basha
Me & Mama by Cozbi A. Cabrera
Outside In - illustrated by Cindy Derby, written by Deborah Underwood

2020

The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Bear Came Along - illustrated by LeUyen Pham, written by Richard T. Morris
Double Bass Blues - illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez, written by Andrea J. Money
Going Down Home With Daddy - illustrated by Daniel Minter, written by Kelly Starling Lyons

2019

Hello Lighthouse illustrated and written by Sophie Blackall

Alma and How She Got Her Name / Juana Martinez-Neal
A Big Mooncake for Little Star / Grace Lin
The Rough Patch / Brian Lies
Thank You, Omu! / Oge Mora

2018

Wolf in the Snow by Matthew Cordell

Big Cat, Little Cat by Elisha Cooper
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut - illustrated by Gordon C. James, written by Derrick Barnes
A Different Pond - illustrated by Thi Bui, written by Bao Phi
Grand Canyon by Jason Chin

2017

Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat by Javaka Steptoe

Leave Me Alone! by Vera Brosgol
Freedom in Congo Square by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
Du Iz Tak? by Carson Ellis
They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel

2016

Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick, illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson
Trombone Shorty by Bryan Collier
Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement by Ekua Holmes
Waiting by Kevin Henkes

2015

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat

Nana in the City by Lauren Castillo
The Noisy Paint Box, The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art - written by Barb Rosenstock, illustrated by Mary GrandPré
The Right Word - illustrated by Melissa Sweet, written by Jen Bryant
Sam & Dave Dig a Hole - written by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen
This One Summer - illustrated by Jillian Tamaki, written by Mariko Tamaki
Viva Frida by Yuyi Morales

2014

Locomotive by Brian Floca

Journey by Aaron Becker
Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle
Mr. Wuffles! by David Wiesner

2013

This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen

Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown
Extra Yarn written by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen
Green by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
One Cool Friend by Toni Buzzeo, illustrated by David Small
Sleep Like a Tiger by Mary Logue, illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski

2012

A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka

Blackout by John Rocco
Grandpa Green by Lane Smith
Me…Jane by Patrick McDonnell

2011

A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead

Dave the Potter by Laban Carrick Hill, illustrated by Bryan Collier
Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein and Chris Haughton

2010

The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney

Red Sings from Treetops by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski

2009

The House in the Night - illustrated by Beth Krommes, written by Susan Marie Swanson

A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever / Marla Frazee
How I Learned Geography / Uri Shulevitz
A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams / illustrated by Melissa Sweet and written by Jen Bryant

2008

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

First the Egg by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad - illustrated by Kadir Nelson, written by Ellen Levine
Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity by Mo Willems
The Wall by Peter Sis

2007

Flotsam by David Wiesner

Gone Wild: An Endangered Animal Alphabet by David McLimans
Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom - illustrated by Kadir Nelson, written by Carole Boston Weatherford

2006

The Hello, Goodbye Window illustrated by Chris Raschka and written by Norton Juster

Rosa - illustrated by Bryan Collier, written by Nikki Giovanni
Zen Shorts - illustrated and written by Jon J. Muth
Hot Air: The (Mostly) True Story of the First Hot-Air Balloon Ride by Marjorie Priceman
Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems - illustrated by Beckie Prange, written by Joyce Sidman

2005

Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

The Red Book by Barbara Lehman
Coming on Home Soon - illustrated by E.B. Lewis, written by Jacqueline Woodson
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems

2004

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein

Ella Sarah Gets Dressed by Margaret Chodos-Irvine
What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? illustrated and written by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems

2003

My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann

The Spider and the Fly illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi, written by Mary Howitt
Hondo & Fabian by Peter McCarty
Noah's Ark by Jerry Pinkney

2002

The Three Pigs by David Wiesner

The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins illustrated by Brian Selznick, written by Barbara Kerley
Martin’s Big Words: the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. illustrated by Bryan Collier, written by Doreen Rappaport
The Stray Dog by Marc Simont

2001

So You Want to Be President? by Judith St. George, illustrated by David Small

Casey at the Bat by Ernest Lawrence Thayer, illustrated by Christopher Bing
Click, Clack, Moo by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin
Olivia by Ian Falconer

2000

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback, illustrated by Harriet Ziefert

A Child’s Calendar by John Updike, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman
Sector 7 by David Wiesner
When Sophie Gets Angry -Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang
The Ugly Duckling by Jerry Pinkney

1999

Snowflake Bentley illustrated by Mary Azarian, written by Jacqueline Briggs Martin

Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra / illustrated by Brian Pinkney, text by Andrea Davis Pinkney
No, David! by David Shannon
Snow by Uri Shulevitz
Tibet Through the Red Box by Peter Sís

1998

Rapunzel by Paul O. Zelinsky 

The Gardener - illustrated by David Small, text by Sarah Stewart
Harlem - illustrated by Christopher Myers, text by Walter Dean Myers
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly by Simms Taback

1997

Golem by David Wisniewski 

Hush! A Thai Lullaby - illustrated by Holly Meade, text by Minfong Ho
The Graphic Alphabet by David Pelletier
The Paperboy by Dav Pilkey
Starry Messenger by Peter Sís

1996

Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann

Alphabet City by Stephen T. Johnson
Zin! Zin! Zin! a Violin - illustrated by Marjorie Priceman, text by Lloyd Moss
The Faithful Friend - illustrated by Brian Pinkney, text by Robert D. San Souci (
Tops & Bottoms - adapted and illustrated by Janet Stevens

1995

Smoky Night illustrated by David Diaz, text by Eve Bunting

John Henry - illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, text by Julius Lester
Swamp Angel - illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky, text by Anne Issacs
Time Flies by Eric Rohman

1994

Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say, text edited by Walter Lorraine

Peppe the Lamplighter - illustrated by Ted Lewis, text by Elisa Bartone
In the Small, Small Pond by Denise Fleming
Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest by Gerald McDermot
Owen by Kevin Henkes
Yo! Yes? - illustrated by Chris Raschka, text edited by Richard Jackson

1993

Mirette on the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales - illustrated by Lane Smith, text by Jon Scieszka
Seven Blind Mice by Ed Young
Working Cotton - illustrated by Carole Byard, written by Sherley Anne Williams

1992

Tuesday by David Wiesner

Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold

1991

Black and White by David Macaulay

Puss in Boots by Charles Perrault, translated by Malcolm Arthur, illustrated by Fred Marcellino
More More More, Said the Baby by Vera B. Williams

1990

Lon Po Po by Ed Young

Bill Peet by Bill Peet
Color Zoo by Lois Ehlert
The Talking Eggs by Robert D. San Souci, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins retold by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman

1989

Song and Dance Man illustrated by Stephen Gammell, text by Karen Ackerman

The Boy of the Three-Year Nap / illustrated by Allen Say, text by Diane Snyder
Free Fall / David Wiesner
Goldilocks and the Three Bears by James Marshall
Mirandy and Brother Wind / illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, text by Patricia C. McKissack

1988

Owl Moon - illustrated by John Schoenherr, written by Jane Yolen

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale by John Steptoe

1987

Hey, Al - illustrated by Richard Egielski, written by Arthur Yorinks

The Village of Round and Square Houses by Ann Grifalconi
Alphabatics by Suse MacDonald
Rumpelstiltskin by Paul O. Zelinsky

1986

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

The Relatives Came - illustrated by Stephen Gammell, written by Cynthia Rylant
King Bidgood's in the Bathtub, illustrated by Don Wood, written by Audrey Wood

1985

Saint George and the Dragon - illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman, retold by Margaret Hodges

Hansel and Gretel - illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky; retold by Rika Lesser
Have You Seen My Duckling? by Nancy Tafuri
The Story of Jumping Mouse: A Native American Legend - retold and illustrated by John Steptoe

1984

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1983

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1982

Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg

Where the Buffaloes Begin illustrated by Stephen Gammell, text by Olaf Baker
On Market Street illustrated by Anita Lobel, text by Arnold Lobel
Outside Over There by Maurice Sendak
A Visit to William Blake’s Inn: Poems for Innocent and Experienced Travelers illustrated by Alice & Martin Provensen, text by Nancy Willard

1981

Fables by Arnold Lobel

The Bremen Town Musicians by Ilse Plume
The Grey Lady and the Strawberry Snatcher by Molly Garrett Bang
Mice Twice by Joseph Low
Truck by Donald Crews

1980

Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall, illustrated by Barbara Cooney

Ben’s Trumpet by Rachel Isadora
The Garden of Abdul Gasazi by Chris Van Allsburg
The Treasure by Uri Shulevitz

1979

The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses by Paul Goble

Freight Train / Donald Crews
The Way to Start a Day / illustrated by Peter Parnall, text by Byrd Baylor

1978

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1977

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1976

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1975

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1974

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1973

The Funny Little Woman by Arlene Mosel, illustrated by Blair Lent

Anansi the Spider by Gerald McDermott
Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction by David Macauley
Hosie’s Alphabet by Tobias Baskin, Lisa Baskin, illustrated by Leonard Baskin
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs by Jacob & Wilhelm Grimm, translated by Randall Jarrell, illustrated by Nancy E. Burkert
When Clay Sings by Byrd Baylor, illustrated by Tom Bahti

1972

One Fine Day retold and illustrated by Nonny Hogrogian

Hildilid’s Night illustrated by Arnold Lobel, text by Cheli Durán Ryan
If All the Seas Were One Sea by Janina Domanska
Moja Means One: Swahili Counting Book illustrated by Tom Feelings, text by Muriel Feelings

1971

A Story, a Story by Gail E. Haley

The Angry Moon retold by William Sleator
Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel
In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak

1970

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig

Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse by Leo Lionni
Goggles by Ezra Jack Keats
Judge * ~ by Have Zemach, illustrated by Margot Zemach
Pop Corn & Ma Goodness by Edna Preston
Thy Friend, Obadiah by Brinton Turkle

1969

The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship. illustrated by Uri Shulevitz and text (retold) by Arthur Ransome

Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky / illustrated by Blair Lent text by Elphinstone Dayrell

1968

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1967

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1966

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1965

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1964

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1963

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1962

Once a Mouse retold and illustrated by Marcia Brown

Fox Went out on a Chilly Night: An Old Song by Peter Spier
Little Bear’s Visit by Else H. Minarik, illustrated by Maurice Sendak
The Day We Saw the Sun Come Up by Alice E. Goudey, illustrated by Adrienne Adams

1961

Baboushka and the Three Kings by Ruth Robbins

Inch by Inch by Leo Lionni

1960

Nine Days to Christmas by Marie Hall Its & Aurora Labastida

Houses from the sea by Alice E. Goudey
The Moon Jumpers by Jaie May Udry

1959

Chanticleer and the Fox illustrated by Barbara Cooney; text adapted from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales by Barbara Cooney

The House that Jack Built / La Maison Que
Jacques A Batie / Antonio Frasconi
What Do You Say, Dear? / illustrated by Maurice Sendak, text by Sesyle Joslin
Umbrella / Taro Yashima

1958

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1957

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1956

Frog Went A-Courtin’ illustrated by Feodor Rojankovsky; text retold by John Langstaff

Play With Me / Marie Hall Ets
Crow Boy / Taro Yashima

1955

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1954

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1953

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1952

Finders Keepers by William Lipkind, illustrations by Nicholas Mordvinoff

All Falling Down by Gene Zion, illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham
Bear Party by William Pène du Bois
Feather Mountain by Elizabeth Olds
Mr. T.W. Anthony Woo by Marie Hall Ets
Skipper John’s Cook by Marcia Brown

1951

The Egg Tree by Katherine Milhous

Dick Wittington and His Cat by Marcia Brown
The Two Reds by Will and Nicolas
If I Ran the Zoo by Dr. Seuss
T-Bone, the Baby-sitter by Clare Turlay Newberry

1950

The Song of the Swallows by Leo Politi

America’s Ethan Allen by Stewart Hall Holbrook
The happy day by Ruth Krauss
Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss
Henry, fisherman: a story of the Virgin Islands by Marcia Brown

1949

The Big Snow by Berta & Elmer Hader

Blueberries for Sal / Robert McCloskey
All Around the Town / illustrated by Helen Stone, text by Phyllis McGinley
Juanita / Leo Politi
Fish in the Air / Kurt Wiese

1948

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1947

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1946

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1945

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1944

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1943

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1942

Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey

An American ABC by Maud & Miska Petersham
In My Mother’s House by Ann Nolan Clark, illustrations by Velino Herrera
Paddle-To-The-Sea by Holding C. Holling
Nothing At All by Wanda Gág

1941

They Were Strong and Good by Robert Lawson

April’s Kittens by Clare Truly Newberry

1940

Abraham Lincoln by Ingri & Edgar Parin d'Aulaire

Cock-a-Doodle Doo / Berta & Elmer Hader
Madeline / Ludwig Bemelmans
The Ageless Story / Lauren Ford

1939

Mei Li by Thomas Handforth

Andy and the Lion / James Daugherty
Barkis / Clare Turlay Newberry
The Forest Pool / Laura Adams Armer
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs / Wanda Gág
Wee Gillis / illustrated by Robert Lawson, text by Munro Leaf

1938

Animals of the Bible, A Picture Book illustrated by Dorothy P. Lathrop, text selected by Helen Dean Fish

Four and Twenty Blackbirds / illustrated by Robert Lawson, text compiled by Helen Dean Fish
Seven Simeons: A Russian Tale / retold and illustrated by Boris Artzybasheff