Caldecott Awards

Awarded by:  a fifteen member ALA committee.  

Juster, Norton (2005).  The Hello, Goodbye Window.  New York, New York:  Hyperion Books for

            Children.

Genre:  Fiction Picture Book

This lovely story describes the time that a little girl spends with her grandparents while her parents are at work. It is a touching story of how the grandparents make a little girl feel so loved and adored.  She feels she is the center of their world.  “When I get tired, I come in and take my nap and nothing happens until I get up.”  Everyday events and rituals are very important for the child and all the more special just by being together. The window in the kitchen is part of the ritual for the child as it is how she greets and says goodbye to her grandparents.  The unusual artwork by Chris Raschka is reminiscent of a child’s drawings and makes it feel very authentic as though the child truly wrote this book.  This story is a must for grandparents to share with their grandchild.  This book could be the springboard for young students to sequence a special day they spent with their grandparent or other special relative. 

Other Awards:

•    ALA Notable Children’s Book, 2006

•    School Library Journal best books of 2005

•    Parenting Magazine best book of the year 2005

•    Boston Globe/Horn Book, honor book 2005

•    CCBC Choices 2006

•    New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book of the Year winner, 2005

Fleming, Denise (1994).  In The Small, Small Pond.  New York, New York:  Henry Holt and

            Company, Inc.

Genre:  Fiction Picture Book

This vividly illustrated book brings in close proximity, the life around a pond.  The simple rhyming text uses strong sound and action words to describe the activity of the wide variety of life around a pond.  It is a busy place all year until winter sets in and the final page bids a good night to the sleeping pond.  This book would be a great nature read aloud.  It could set the stage for a class nature walk.  It would be also be a springboard for the discussion that would follow.  Maybe a class book would result from the nature walk with close up pictures done by the students.  This beautiful book is one not to be missed whether it is with a whole class or a small group or a single child.

Other Awards:


ALA Notable Book 1994


American Bookseller Pick of the List 1993


New York Public Library List of One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing


Ohioana Book Award – Juvenile Fiction 1994


Parents Reading-Magic Award – Outstanding Children's Book 1993


Parents Magazine Best Kids' Books of 1993


Publisher’s Weekly Best Books of 1993 Editors' Choice 


School Library Journal Best Books of 1993

Cronin, Doreen (2000).  Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type.  New York, New York:  Simon &

            Schuster Books For Young Readers.

Genre:  Fiction Picture Book

This hilarious book tells the story of some cows that find a way to get their desires met.  They type a note to Farmer Brown requesting electric blankets.  He refuses this request so the cows refuse to give milk.  The chickens get in on the act and also want electric blankets.  Again, Farmer Brown refuses.  Now there are no eggs!  As a compromise, the duck delivers a note saying that if he will provide the blankets, they will give up the typewriter.  The Duck should deliver it to Farmer Brown but it has one other use before that and makes for a very amusing ending.  The illustrations by Betsy Lewin are a mixture of watercolor and drawings and have a cartoon like quality which makes them very endearing and adds to the comic tone.  This story is a lot of fun to share with children.  A discussion about compromise is sure to follow.  Have they ever wanted anything from Mom and Dad?  What happened?  Was there a compromise?  It is also a good opportunity to talk about “point of view”. 

Other Awards:

Named one of the Best Children's Books 2000 by Publisher's Weekly

Jenkins, Steve & Page, Robin (2003).  What Do You Do With A Tail Like This?  New York, New

            York:  Houghton Mifflin Company.

Genre:  Nonfiction picture book

This book will draw readers in from the very first page.  A question is asked:  What do you do with a nose like this?  Several noses are displayed.  Children can guess what animal it is.  Then, when you turn the page, each animal is shown that matches the noses and what the nose is used for.  This pattern is repeated throughout the book using different body parts such as mouths, tails, eyes etc.  Children will learn interesting facts about each animal and have the option to learn even more with a section that gives more details about each of the animals shown in the book.  The large cut paper collage illustrations by Steve Jenkins are so detailed and interesting.  Children may want to try to create their own!

Other Awards:

ALA Notable Children's Book (2004)

Say, Allen (1993).  Grandfather’s Journey.  Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton Mifflin Company.

Genre:  Biographical picture book

Allen Say recounts his grandfather’s journey from Japan across the United States and ending in San Francisco.  From there, he marries and has a daughter.  He feels homesick for Japan and takes the family back home there.  However, he also feels homesick for California.  Allen Say himself arrives in the US at age 16.  He too grows to love the U.S. but also longs for Japan.  “The funny thing is, the moment I am in one country, I am homesick for the other.”  He felt a real connection to his grandfather when he realized this.  The full page oil paintings are rich and full of detail.  They will evoke much discussion with older readers about the three-generation time frame in which the story takes place.  This book is unforgettable for all ages.

Other Awards:

Bulletin Blue Ribbon
 


ALA Notable Book


Booklist Editors' Choice


Boston Globe/Horn Book Award
Horn Book

Fanfare Selection
School Library Journal Best Books of the Year


New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of the Year