Why was the caldecott award created

However, as many persons became concerned that the artists creating picture books for children were as deserving of honor and encouragement as were the authors of children's books, Frederic G. Melcher suggested in the establishment of a second annual medal. This medal is to be given to the artist who had created the most distinguished picture book of the year and named in honor of the nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph J.

The Caldecott Medal "shall be awarded to the artist of the most distinguished American Picture Book for Children published in the United States during the preceding year.

The award shall go to the artist, who must be a citizen or resident of the United States, whether or not he be the author of the text. Members of the Newbery Medal Committee will serve as judges. If a book of the year is nominated for both the Newbery and Caldecott Awards the committee shall decide under which heading it shall be voted upon, so that the same title shall not be considered on both ballots.

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. A picture book has a collective unity of story-line, theme, or concept, developed through the series of pictures of which the book is comprised.

Children are defined as persons of ages up to and including fourteen and picture books for this entire age range are to be considered. The artist is the illustrator or co-illustrators. The artist may be awarded the medal posthumously. The term "original work" may have several meanings.

For purposes of these awards, it is defined as follows: "Original work" means that the illustrations were created by this artist and no one else. Further, "original work" means that the illustrations are presented here for the first time and have not been previously published elsewhere in this or any other form. Illustrations reprinted or compiled from other sources are not eligible. Books published simultaneously in the U. A book might have a copyright date prior to the year under consideration but, for various reasons, was not published until the year under consideration.

If a book is published prior to its year of copyright as stated in the book, it shall be considered in its year of copyright as stated in the book. The intent of the definition is that every book be eligible for consideration, but that no book be considered in more than one year. The only limitation to graphic form is that the form must be one which may be used in a picture book.

The book must be a self-contained entity, not dependent on other media i. Each book is to be considered as a picture book. Such other components might include the written text, the overall design of the book, etc. Jon Klassen, a Canadian-born New York Times bestselling author who moved to Los Angeles after his graduation from Sheridan College in , is also a unique success story in that he was the first person to ever win both the Caldecott Medal as well as the British Kate Greenaway Medal, also for children's book illustration, for the same book — This is Not My Hat , which he wrote as well as illustrated.

The artist is also well-known for his animation work on the feature films King Fu Panda and Coraline. Maurice Sendak won the Caldecott Medal in for his beloved picture book Where the Wild Things Are , which has sold over 20 million copies worldwide.

The book has also been adapted into an opera as well as a feature film. Additionally, Sendak received seven Caldecott Honors throughout his lifetime. Despite our growing attachments to technology, apps, and the Internet, picture books continue to be a critical aspect of children's growth and development.

Flipping through books remains an amazing experience for even the youngest of children, and the annual Caldecott Medal and Caldecott Honors distinctions continue to be an astounding honor and tradition for talented American illustrators.

Register Log in Quick Cart Wishlist 0. Shopping cart 0. You have no items in your shopping cart. Writing Supplies.

Pencil Accessories. The Caldecott Medal The medal is named after Randolph Caldecott, an influential children's illustrators working in England in the 19th century. 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.