Caldecott Medal
The Caldecott Medal is a prestigious award of the American Library Association (specifically its division, the Association for Library Service to Children), presented annually in the United States to “the most distinguished American picture book for children”.
The medal was first awarded in 1938 and was named after the renowned 19th-century British artist, author, and illustrator Randolph Caldecott. The design was created by American sculptor Rene Paul Chambellan. The obverse depicts a scene from the cover of The Diverting History of John Gilpin, William Cowper’s poem illustrated by Caldecott, showing John Gilpin riding a galloping horse. The reverse features a fragment of Caldecott’s illustration for the collection of traditional English nursery rhymes and songs Sing a Song of Sixpence.
Authors of outstanding works, in the opinion of the committee, who were nominated for the medal but did not receive it, are awarded the Caldecott Honor (also known as Caldecott Honor Books).
Throughout its history, six authors have won the Caldecott Medal twice, and two — David Wiesner and Marcia Brown — have won it three times.
In the United States, the Caldecott Medal is regarded as the most prestigious award in children’s literature, alongside the Newbery Medal.
Page dedicated to the Caldecott Medal on the website of the Association
