West Bend Community Memorial Library

West Bend Community Memorial Library

Children's Booklist

Make reading a part of your child's life!

Caldecott Medal Winners and Honor Books
[2000-Present] [1990-1999] [1980-1989] [1970-1979] [1960-1969] [1950-1959] [1940-1949] [1938-1939]
[printable list]


2007 Winner:	Flotsam illustrated by David Wiesner - In this wordless masterpiece from a two-time Caldecott medalist, a bright, science-minded boy goes to the beach equipped to collect and examine flotsam--anything floating that has been washed ashore.

Honor Books:	Gone Wild: An Endangered Animal Alphabet illustrated by David McLimans - Feast your eyes on these amazing creatures before they disappear. This stampede of wild animals, from Chinese Alligator to Grevy Zebra, are so rare, they're all endangered. David McLiman's bold and playful illustrations transform each letter into a work of art, graphically rendered with animal characteristics. Scales, horns, even insect wings transform the alphabet into animated life. Once you take this eye-opening safari, you'll never look at letters or animals with the same way again. A striking work of art and a zoological adventure, Gone Wild is sure to be loved by children and adults alike.

	Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led her People to Freedom illustrated by Kadir Nelson and written by Carole Boston Weatherford - Lyrical text describes Harriet Tubman's spiritual journey as she hears the voice of God guiding her North to freedom on that very first trip to escape the brutal practice of slavery. This is a moving portrait of one of the most inspiring figures of the Underground Railroad--a woman who would take 19 subsequent trips back South without being caught.

2006 Winner:	The Hello, Goodbye Window by Norton Juster and illustrated by Chris Raschka - The kitchen window at Nanna and Poppy's house is, for one little girl, a magic gateway. Everything important happens near it, through it, or beyond it. Told in her voice, her story is both a voyage of discovery and a celebration of the commonplace wonders that define childhood. It is also a love song devoted to that special relationship between grandparents and grandchild.

Honor Books:	Rosa by Nikki Giovanni and illustrated by Bryan Collier - Fifty years after her refusal to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus, Mrs. Rosa Parks is still one of the most important figures in the American civil rights movement. This picture-book tribute to Mrs. Parks is a celebration of her courageous action and the events that followed.

	Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth - With graceful art and simple stories that are filled with love and enlightenment, Jon Muth--and Stillwater the bear--presents three ancient Zen tales that are sure to strike a chord in everyone they touch.

	Hot Air: The (Mostly) True Story of the First Hot-Air Balloon Ride by Marjorie Priceman - The first "manned" hot-air balloon is about to take off! But what are those noises coming from the basket? Based on the (POSSIBLY) true report of a day in 1783, this si the story of (PERHAPS) the bravest collection of flyers the world has ever seen, as (SORT OF) told to Marjorie Priceman.

	Song of the Water Boatman & Other Pond Poems by Joyce Sidman and illustrated by Beckie Prange - With a unique blend of whimsy, science, poetry, and hand-colored woodcuts, this collection invites readers to take a closer look at the world's hidden ponds and wetlands, and at the same time celebrate their beauty and mystery.

2005 Winner:	Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes - From one of the most beloved picture book creators of today comes a memorable new character and a suspenseful adventure. Kitten sees her first full moon, but she thinks it's a bowl of milk and tries to get at it.

Honor Books:	The Red Book by Barbara Lehman - This book is about a book. A magical red book without any words. When you turn the pages you"ll experience a new kind of adventure through the power of story.In illustrations of rare detail and surprise, The Red Book crosses oceans and continents to deliver one girl into a new world of possibility, where a friend she"s never met is waiting. And as with the best of books, at the conclusion of the story, the journey is not over.

	Coming on Home Soon by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by E.B. Lewis - Ada Ruth's mama must go away to Chicago to work, leaving Ada Ruth and Grandma behind. During World War II, women are needed to fill the men's jobs. Every day Ada Ruth and Grandma wait, watching for the letter that says Mama will be coming home soon.

	Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems - Trixie, Daddy, and Knuffle Bunny take a trip to the neighborhood Laundromat. But the exciting adventure takes a dramatic turn when Trixie realizes somebunny was left behind... Using a combination of muted black-and-white photographs and expressive illustrations, this stunning book tells a brilliantly true-to-life tale about what happens when Daddy's in charge and things go terribly, hilariously wrong.

2004 Winner:	The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein - From a highly respected picture book author/illustrator comes a lyrical evocation of Philippe Petit's 1974 tightrope walk between the World Trade Center towers.

Honor Books:	Ella Sarah Gets Dressed by Margaret Chodos-Irvine - Despite the advice of others in her family, Ella Sarah persists in wearing the striking and unusual outfit of her own choosing.

	What do you do with a Tail Like this? by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page - Readers can explore the many amazing things animals can do with their ears, eyes, mouths, noses, feet, and tails in this beautifully illustrated interactive guessing book.

	Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems - In this hilarious picture book debut, popular cartoonist Mo Willems ("Sesame Street, Sheep in the City") perfectly captures a preschooler's temper tantrum in the guise of a pigeon who pleads, wheedles, and begs his way through the story.

2003 Winner:	My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann - Something always seems to go wrong when Rabbit is around, but Mouse lets him play with his toy plane anyway because he is his good friend.

Honor Books:	The Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt and illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi - An illustrated version of the well-known poem about a wily spider who preys on the vanity and innocence of a little fly.

	Hondo & Fabian by Peter McCarty - Hondo the dog has a fun day at the beach while Fabian the cat stays home. " Wake up, Hondo. Time to go!" Hondo will have an adventure. Fabian will stay home. A dog named Hondo and his friend Fred are going to the beach for a day of excitement. Fabian the cat is left behind at home to play with the baby. Who will cause more trouble? And who will have more fun? Peter McCarty's exquisite illustrations and understated wit turn an ordinary day in the lives of two pets into a rare delight.

	Noah's Ark by Jerry Pinkney - Retells the biblical story of the great flood and how Noah and his family faithfully responded to God's call to save life on earth.

2002 Winner:	The Three Pigs by David Wiesner - The three pigs escape the wolf by going into another world where they meet the cat and the fiddle, the cow that jumped over the moon, and a dragon.

Honor Books:	The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins by Barbara Kerley and illustrated by Brian Selznick - The true story of Victorian artist Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins, who built life-sized models of dinosaurs in the hope of educating the world about what these awe-inspiring ancient animals and what they were like.

	Martin's Big Words: the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport and illustrated by Bryan Collier - This picture book biography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. brings his life and the profound nature of his message to young readers through his own words, using quotes from some of his most beloved speeches to tell his life story in a simple, direct way.

	The Stray Dog by Marc Simont - When a little dog appears at a family picnic, the girl and boy play with him all afternoon, and they name him Willy. At day's end they say good-bye. But the dog has won their hearts and stays on their minds. The following Saturday the family returns to the picnic grounds to look for Willy, but they are not alone -- the dogcatcher is looking for him, too... Caldecott Medalist Marc Simont's heartwarming tale of a stray dog who finds a home is told with appealing simplicity and grace.

2001 Winner:	So You Want to Be President? by Judith St. George and illustrated by David Small - So you want to be President! Why not? Presidents have come in every variety. They've been generals like George Washington and actors like Ronald Reagan, big like William Howard Taft and small like James Madison, handsome like Franklin Pierce and homely like Abraham Lincoln. From the embarrassment of skinny-dipping John Quincy Adams to the mischievous adventure of Theodore Roosevelt's pony, Judith St. George shares the backroom facts, the spitfire comments, and the comical anecdotes that have been part and parcel of America's White House. Hilariously illustrated by Caldecott honor-winning artist David Small, this celebration shows us the foibles, quirks, and the humanity of forty-one men who have risen to one of the most powerful positions in the world.

Honor Books:	Casey at the Bat by Ernest Thayer and illustrated by Christopher Bing - The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day: The score stood four to two with but one inning more to play.... Since 1888 Casey at the Bat has been read and loved by baseball fans around the world. Now Mighty Casey has been brought to life by celebrated illustrator C. F. Payne, who captures the old-fashioned fun of an afternoon at the ballpark for a brand-new generation.

	Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Betsy Lewin - Farmer Brown has a problem. His cows like to type. All day long he hears Click, clack, MOO. Click, clack, MOO. Clickety, clack, MOO. But Farmer Brown's problems REALLY begin when his cows start leaving him notes.... Doreen Cronin's understated text and Betsy Lewin's expressive illustrations make the most of this hilarious situation. Come join the fun as a bunch of literate cows turn Farmer Brown's farm upside down.

	Olivia by Ian Falconer - Whether at home getting ready for the day, enjoying the beach, or at bedtime, Olivia is a feisty pig who has too much energy for her own good.

2000 Winner:	Joseph had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback - Joseph had a little overcoat, but it was full of holes-just like this book! When Joseph's coat got too old and shabby, he made it into a jacket. But what did he make it into after that? And after that? As children turn the pages of this book, they can use the die-cut holes to guess what Joseph will be making next from his amazing overcoat, while they laugh at the bold, cheerful artwork and learn that you can always make something, even out of nothing.

Honor Books:	A Child's Calendar by John Updike and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman - Twelve poems follow a family and their friends through the seasons.

	Sector 7 by David Wiesner - The class bully makes fun of Billy Jones for drawing cows, but Billy gets the last laugh when no one believes the bully's story about talking cows, and a fiddle-playing cat with a talking spoon.

	When Sophie Gets Angry-Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang - A young girl is upset and doesn't know how to manage her anger but takes the time to cool off and regain her composure.

	The Ugly Duckling by Jerry Pinkney - An ugly duckling spends an unhappy year ostracized by the other animals before he grows into a beautiful swan.