Special Collections
Caldecott Award Winners
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Crown
by Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. JamesThe barbershop is where the magic happens. Boys go in as lumps of clay and, with princely robes draped around their shoulders, a dab of cool shaving cream on their foreheads, and a slow, steady cut, they become royalty. That crisp yet subtle line makes boys sharper, more visible, more aware of every great thing that could happen to them when they look good: lesser grades turn into As; girls take notice; even a mother’s hug gets a little tighter. Everyone notices.
A fresh cut makes boys fly.
This rhythmic, read-aloud title is an unbridled celebration of the self-esteem, confidence, and swagger boys feel when they leave the barber’s chair—a tradition that places on their heads a figurative crown, beaming with jewels, that confirms their brilliance and worth and helps them not only love and accept themselves but also take a giant step toward caring how they present themselves to the world. The fresh cuts. That’s where it all begins.
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut is a high-spirited, engaging salute to the beautiful, raw, assured humanity of black boys and how they see themselves when they approve of their reflections in the mirror.
When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry
by Molly BangSophie gets mad, climbs a tree to calm down, and is soon ready to come home to her loving family. "The text is. . . brief, for it is Bang's double-page illustrations, vibrating with saturated colors, that reveal the drama of the child's emotions. " - School Library Journal, starred review. "Bang's strong, nonproscriptive acknowledgment of a feeling most children will recognize will be welcomed. " - Booklist, starred review
Winner of the Caldecott Honor
Ten, Nine, Eight
by Molly BangNine stuffed animals, one sleepy toddler. Numbers from ten to one are part of this lullaby which observes the room of a little girl going to bed.
Winner of the Caldecott Honor
Where the Buffaloes Begin
by Olaf BakerFollow Little Wolf to the fabled lake in the south where the buffaloes begin. Watch the huge beasts surge out of the water and onto the prairie, as Little Wolf leads them to a victory against the enemies of his people. A Caldecott Honor Book. Illustrations in black-and-white. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.
The Polar Express
by Chris Van AllsburgFor twenty years, The Polar Express has been a worldwide bestseller and Christmas classic. A perfect keepsake for any family, this beautiful edition can be handed down to each new generation of readers.
In 1986 The Polar Express was awarded the prestigious Caldecott Medal and hit the New York Times bestseller list. Since that time, more than six and a half million copies have been sold, and every December it faithfully reappears on national bestseller lists. In 2004, The Polar Express became a blockbuster holiday movie. The DVD release in 2005 assures, that like the book, the movie will become a holiday classic.
Jumanji
by Chris Van AllsburgThe game under the tree looked like a hundred others Peter and Judy had at home. But they were bored and restless and, looking for something interesting to do, thought they'd give Jumanji a try. Little did they know when they unfolded its ordinary-looking playing board that they were about to be plunged into the most exciting and bizarre adventure of their lives. In his second book for children, Chris Van Allsburg again explores the ever-shifting line between fantasy and reality with this story about a game that comes startlingly to life. His marvelous drawings beautifully convey a mix of the everyday and the extraordinary, as a quiet house is taken over by an exotic jungle.
The Undefeated
by Kwame AlexanderThis book celebrates the black people who have reached the pinnacle of their profession despite their historical sufferings.
Song and Dance Man
by Karen Ackerman and Stephen GammellWhen his grandchildren follow Grandpa up the attic stairs, a dazzling show, better than any on TV, is about to begin! Grandpa opens a dusty trunk, pulls out bowler hat and gold-tipped cane, and suddenly we are back in the good old days, the song and dance days. The lights are twinkling, and a vaudeville man is doing the first slippery steps of the old soft shoe. So sit right back and enjoy the show as Karen Ackerman and Stephen Gammell's warm, wondrous Grandpa brings new life to days gone by.
Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears
by Verna AardemaWhen Mosquito tells iguana a terrible lie, he sets off a chain of events. Owl will not wake the sun, so there is not sunrise. Find out what happens in this West-African tale and find out why mosquitos buzz in people's ears. Winner of the 1976 Caldecott Medal for best picture book.