Caldecott Books: More than Just a Pretty Picture

Caldecott award winners are based on the illustrations of the book.  However, they are also great stories that are sure to please both kids and parents alike. Here is a collection of ten Caldecott winners to check out.

Song and Dance Man

Ackerman, K. ( 1988). Song and Dance Man. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf

Three grandchildren visit their grandfather, an old vaudeville song and dance man.  He takes them into the attic to share his trunk filled with tap shoes, hats, and costumes from days gone by.  Then Grandpa performs songs and dances from the good old days. He tells jokes, performs tricks, and then dances the grand finale, a tap dance that has his grandchildren clapping and asking for more.  

This is a story of a relationship between a grandfather and his grandchildren. The colorful pictures are sure to put a smile on both kids and their parents.  Kids will enjoy the silly jokes and the story of how special grandparents are in our lives.  Parents will reminisce of a time gone by when people were entertained without the help of electronics and TV.  

Olivia

Falconer, I. (2000). Olivia. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. 

Olivia is a precocious piglet that is full of life and adventure. She enjoys dress-up, the beach, art, and dance, and like many young children, is never sleepy when its naptime.  Her adventures are shared with her patient mother, who loves her unconditionally, even when she has painted on the walls, and a little brother who likes to tag along, even when he’s not wanted.  Ian Falconer uses just a few colors in his book in a dramatic way…bringing Olivia’s bold personality to life. The pictures are simple, but appealing to the eye.

This is such a sweet story that both children and adults will enjoy.  The children can relate to her sense of adventure and love for life.  Parents will connect to the exhausting task of having a young child in the home, full of energy and curiosity.  This is also a great book to share with a child about a parent’s unconditional love for their child.  This is a book that should not be missed by children and adults alike! 

Owen

Henkes, K. ( 1993). Owen. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books.

Owen loves his blanket with all his heart.  His blanket goes everywhere with him, including the dentist's office and trips to the barber.  Their nosy neighbor, Mrs. Tweezers, instructs Owen's parents that Owen is too old for a blanket.  She shares advice on how to get rid of  Owen's beloved blanket.  But Owen doesn't fall for any of them! When it's time for school, Owen's understanding mother makes handkerchiefs out of the blanket so that Owen can bring his blanket Fuzzy wherever he goes. 

Any child that has ever had a special blanket or stuffed animal will relate to Owen.  Parents will relate to the unwanted advice of others on child rearing. Kevin Henkes shares his delightful illustrations of Owen the mouse like only he can.  His wonderful pictures depict a classic story of parenting and childhood, and how each family must parent in their own style.  

What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?

Jenkins, S. ( 2003). What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? Boston,MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.

This informative book shares the ways that animals use their noses, ears, tails, eyes, mouths, and feet in ways that help them survive.  The author shares interesting facts about different animals from around the world.  Did you know that a humpback whale can hear sounds hundreds of miles away? Or that a horned lizard can squirt blood out of it's eyes?  At the end of the book, he shares additional unique facts about each animal depicted in the book. 

A great book for those that love animal and non-fiction books!  Kids and adults will enjoy the interesting and sometimes gross facts the author shares about the animals.  The illustrations will delight readers along with the text.  The illustrations are made of cut-paper collages which is a trademark of Steve Jenkin's books. 

Blueberries for Sal

McCloskey, R. ( 1948). Blueberries for Sal. New York, NY: The Viking Press.

Here is a classic children's book that shouldn't be missed!  Sal and her mother go blueberry picking on Blueberry Hill.  Little Sal is so busy eating, rather than picking berries, that she soon loses her way from her mother.  At the same time, Little Bear is busy eating blueberries, that he finds he is no longer by his own mother.  This timeless book shares the mistaken case of identity between Sal and Little Bear and their mothers.

The beautiful drawings will be a favorite of children and their parents alike.  The sweet story will have kids wondering if Sal and Little Bear will find the right mother?   Kids will enjoy how the children are not worried one bit that they are separated from their mothers.  They are too busy enjoying sweet blueberries of late summer.

No, David! 

Shannon, D. ( 1998). No, David! New York, NY: Blue Sky Press.

David is always getting into trouble!  He tracks mud into the house, colors on the walls, plays with his food, creates mess after mess,  and more.  Davis hears no and other reprimands from his mother throughout the day. The pictures tell this funny story of all of David's hilarious antics throughout his day.   Finally at the end he hears what he wants most of all: Yes, I love you! 

This is a great book for beginning readers.  The simple text is easy to read, but the pictures tell the real story.  David Shannon's hilarious illustrations will have kids and parents laughing out loud.  It also depicts that no matter what trouble we get in, your mother loves you unconditionally. 

Snow 

Shulevitz, U. (1998). Snow. New York, NY: Farrar Straus Giroux.

A young boy and his dog await the coming of the first snowfall, even though the adults around do not think the snow will amount to anything.  As the snow keeps coming, it blankets the city, as the boy and his dog venture out to play in the snow.  The boy imagines Mother Goose characters coming to life from the local bookstore that join him in the magical day of playing in the snow.

What is more exciting than the first snow of the year!  Kids will delight in the simple, repetitive text.  They will enjoy the beautiful, lively pictures that show how fun and magical snow is to a young child.  This is a great read aloud for imaginative and curious young children who will delight in the magic of snow. 

The Gardener

Stewart, S. (1997). The Gardener. New York, NY: Farrar Straus Giroux.

Lydia Grace Finch is sent to live with her Uncle Jim during the Great Depression. Her father is out of work, and she is sent to help out her uncle at his bakery in the city until things get better at home. Lydia Grace is a gardener who plants seeds, bulbs, and cuttings where ever she can find a place to plant them. Her beautiful flowers brings happiness and delight to all those around her, but what Lydia Grace wants most of all is to please her uncle and make him smile. Secretly she transforms the rooftop into a beautiful garden as a surprise to her uncle.  When she reveals her secret garden to her uncle on the Fourth of July, he brings a cake covered in flowers.  Lydia Grace knows that cake is the smile and approval from her uncle she has longed for! 

This is a wonderful book written in letters from Lydia Grace to her family back home depicting her stay with her uncle.  It's a great story to share with readers set in the time of the depression.  It can be used to discuss hardships families endured during that time period, as well as the bravery of this little girl.  Lydia Grace not only transforms her physical surroundings, but touches and transforms the people around her too. Her determination and hard work will inspire children to never give up on the people you love around you. 

The Polar Express

Van Allsburg, C. (1985). The Polar Express. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company. 

A young boy sets out on a trip of his lifetime...to the North Pole on the Polar Express.  He is sped to the home of Santa, where he and his traveling companions see where every Christmas toy is made.  He meets Santa and receives the first gift of Christmas, a silver bell from the harness of Santa's sleigh.  Unfortunately he loses it on the trip back home, only to discover that Santa has delivered it under his very own Christmas tree on Christmas morning. 

This is a Christmas tale told by the creative mind of Chris Van Allsburg.  Children will enjoy this Christmas tale and all the mystery and magic that  surrounds the holiday.  They will delight in the fact that those that truly believe can hear the sleigh bell.  Both parents and children alike will enjoy the beautiful artwork in the book. 

King Bidgood's In The Bathtub

Wood, A. ( 1985). King Bidgood's in the Bathtub. New York, NY: Harcourt.

King Bidgood is in the bathtub and refuses to get out.  Several members of his court attempt to get him out, with no success.  They all end up soaking wet!  He spends his whole day in the bathtub, until finally, the young Page knows exactly what to do.  The illustrations of this book are beautiful and have wonderful details.  The facial expressions of the characters are priceless!  

This book is sure to have children laughing at the silly antics of King Bidgood. This is a great book for beginning readers with it's repetitive text and supportive pictures.   Children will want to read this book over and over to enjoy the details Don Woods paints into his pictures.  Children will especially love the last page as the king finally tip-toes out of the bathtub.