The Caldecott Medal

Randolph J. Caldecott Born: March 22, 1846 Died: February 12, 1886

Who was Randolph Caldecott? British artist and illustrator Originally worked in a bank Liked to draw Started going to night school at the Manchester School of Art

His Early Career Began to have his illustrations chosen for magazines Decided that he could support himself with his art Moved to London at age 26

London, England 1800’s Not many printers made books for children, but… A major printer named Edmund Evans always created two children’s books at Christmas time The books were mostly pictures The books were usually based on nursery rhymes and familiar stories

He liked to use the drawings done by a man named Walter Crane

Christmas, 1877 But in 1877, Walter Crane was no longer available to help the printer The printer asked Randolph Caldecott to do the work instead Caldecott illustrated 2 children’s books to be published at Christmas-time

Those books were… The House That Jack Built The Diverting History of John Gilpin and

What made Caldecott’s Illustrations Special? His illustrations showed – Movement – Humor – Expressions – Action

Here are some other illustrations drawn by Caldecott: From Hey Diddle Diddle and Bye, Baby Bunting, 1882

From The Great Panjamdrum Himself, 1885

From The House That Jack Built, 1887

From The Diverting History of John Gilpin, 1877

Award for Illustrations In America in 1937, librarians created an award to recognize great artists of children’s books They named it after Randolph Caldecott because of the work that he did making children’s books so special (Look! John Gilpin!)

Media Woodcuts Pastels Watercolors Pen & Ink Collage Caldecott Award-winning illustrators have used all kinds of media:

Let’s Put Faces to Some Illustrators of Caldecott Award Books Book Illustrator ? ?

Mordecai Gerstein Caldecott Medal Winner, 2004 (Media: Pen and Ink)

Mary Azarian Caldecott Medal Winner, 1999 (Medium: Woodcut prints)

Ed Young Caldecott Medal Winner, 1990 (Media: Watercolors and Pastels)

Peggy Rathmann Caldecott Medal Winner, 1996 (Medium: Watercolors)

Ezra Jack Keats Caldecott Medal Winner, 1963 (Medium: Collage)

Leo and Diane Dillon Caldecott Medal Winners, 1976 Caldecott Medal Winners, 1977 and (Media: Watercolor airbrush, pastels, and India ink) (Media: Pastels, watercolors, and acrylics)

The Caldecott Award Awarded by the Association for Library Service to Children, a Division of the American Library Association Is given “for the most distinguished American picture book for children” Is given to the illustrator, whether that person is also the author or not

Is made out of bronze Has winner’s name and the date engraved on the back

Caldecott Honor Books When choosing the winner each year, one or more books are also recognized as being worthy of special attention These books are called Honor Books

Randolph J. Caldecott He made a difference.