Special Collections
Caldecott Award Winners
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A Pocketful of Cricket
by Rebecca Caudill"Chee! Chee!" Inside Jay's dark pocket Cricket began fiddling. The talking stopped. Everybody listened. A Caldecott Honor classic that celebrates friendship and new experiences-back in print on its 40th anniversary. One afternoon late in August, before the start of a new school year, Jay finds Cricket. Cricket fits just right in small spaces-like under a tea strainer or in Jay's very own pocket-and Cricket makes the most exciting sounds. But what happens when it's time to go back to school? Will Cricket come too? Forty years after its original publication, this charming tale continues to capture the imaginative world of a child.
May I Bring a Friend
by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers and Beni MontresorAn imaginative boy brings a surprising array of friends to dine at the palace in this Caldecott Medal–winning picture book.
One day, a small boy receives a very special invitation—the King and the Queen have invited him to the castle for tea. He accepts, with one question: “May I bring a friend?”
“Any friend of our friend is welcome here,” says the King. But their guest’s friend turns out to be someone they never expected!
Beatrice Schenk de Regniers’s rhythmic text and the fantastical, jewellike artwork of Beni Montresor have made this book a favorite for more than twenty-five years.
Just Me
by Marie Hall EtsA charming book for young readers. "A rabbit was nibbling some leaves of a bush. Rabbit, I said. (He didnt have any name because nobody owned him.) Rabbit, I cant fly like a bird, but I can hop like a rabbit. Let me see how you do it. So rabbit went off hoppety, hop, hop. And I hopped just like him."
Always Room for One More
by Sorche Nic LeodhasLachie MacLachlan, the generous hero of this enchanting picture book, is the delightful exception to the rule that the Scots are a thrifty lot. To his "wee house in the heather" where he lives with his wife and ten children, the good-natured Lachie invites every traveler who passes on a'stormy night, assuring all that "there's always room for one more.'" Tinkers, tailors, shepherds, even dogs -sing and dance the night away until, alas, the rafters groan and the walls of his hospitable little home bulge to the bursting point. But Lachie's kindness is repaid. Just how his grateful guests eventually say a wonderful "thank-you" provides a delightfully warm ending to this lilting narrative.
Sam, Bangs & Moonshine
by Evaline Nessfrom the book Jacket: Sam, a fisherman's daughter who dreams rich and lovely dreamsmoonshine, her father sayssits in her dragon-drawn chariot and says wise things to Bangs, her cat. One day Sam sends little Thomas, her devoted friend, to Blue Rock, far out in the harbor, and a sudden storm brings near disaster to Thomas and Bangs. It is then that Sam repentantly draws a line between moonshine and reality. Young readers whose mothers are mermaids, who own fierce lions and baby kangaroos, and who can talk to their cats will find a fast friend in the heroine of this imaginative, humorous book. "Never has the artist made more striking pictures." The Horn Book "The narrative is delightfully expressed and the charming drawings beautifully portray the island scene." Booklist "An unusually creative story . . . presented in a realistic and sympathetic context. . . . This is an outstanding book." School Library Journal
Frederick
by Leo LionniWhile the other field mice work to gather grain and nuts for winter, Frederick sits on a sunny rock by himself.
"I gather sun rays for the cold dark winter days," he tells them. Another day he gathers "colors," and then "words."
And when the food runs out, it is Frederick, the dreamer and poet, whose endless store of supplies warms the hearts of his fellow mice, and feeds their spirits during the darkest winter days.
Frederick's story will warm readers as well in this Caldecott Honor winning fable.Now available as an eBook.
Drummer Hoff
by Barbara EmberleyIn this poem seven soldiers create a cannon, but Drummer Hoff has the last chance to "fire it off" Winner of the 1968 Caldecott Medal
The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship--A Russian Tale
by Arthur RansomeThe Fool of the World, a peasant looked down on by his parents, wins the hand of the Czar's daughter after overcoming enormous obstacles
Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse
by Leo LionniA Caldecott Honor Book. Alexander, the mouse, makes friends with Willy, a toy mouse, and wants to be just like him until he discovers that Willy is to be thrown away.
The Judge
by Harve ZemachA horrible thing is coming this way Creeping closer day by day-- Its eyes are scary, Its tail is hairy... I tell you, Judge, we all better pray! Anxious prisoner after anxious prisoner echoes and embellishes this cry, but always in vain. The fiery old Judge, impatient with such foolish nonsense, calls them scoundrels, ninnyhammers, and throws them all in jail. But in the end, Justice is done--and the Judge is gone. Head first! Harve Zemach's cumulative verse tale is so infectious that children won't be able to avoid memorizing it. And Margot Zemach's hilarious pictures are brimming with vitality as well as color.
Goggles!
by Ezra Jack KeatsTwo boys must outsmart the neighborhood bullies before they can enjoy their new treasure, a pair of lensless motorcycle goggles. Can they do it?
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble
by William SteigOne rainy day, Sylvester finds a magic pebble that can make wishes come true. But when a lion frightens him on his way home, Sylvester makes a wish that brings unexpected results. How Sylvester is eventually reunited with his loving family and restored to his own donkey self makes a story that is beautifully tender and perfectly joyful.
Illustrated with William Steig's glowing pictures, this winner of the 1970 Caldecott Medal is a modern classic beloved by children everywhere. It also features his moving Caldecott Medal acceptance speech.
In the Night Kitchen
by Maurice SendakClassic dreamlike children's tale of a boy's nighttime cooking adventures.
Frog and Toad Are Friends
by Arnold LobelFrom writing letters to going swimming, telling stories to finding lost buttons, Frog and Toad are always there for each other--just as best friends should be. Images and image descriptions available.
A Story, A Story
by Gail E. HaleyMany African stories, whether or not they are about Kwaku Ananse the "spider man," are called, "Spider Stories." This book is about how that came to be. The African storyteller begins: "We do not really mean, we do not really mean that what we are about to say is true. A Story, a story; let it come, let it go." And it tells that long, long ago there were no stories on earth for children to hear. All stories belonged to Nyame, the Sky God.
Ananse, the Spider man, wanted to buy some of these stories, so he spun a web up to the sky and went up to bargain with the Sky God. The price the Sky God asked was Osebo, the leopard of-the- terrible-teeth, Mmboro the hornet who-stings-like-fire, and Mmoatia the fairy whom-men-never-see. How Ananse paid the price is told in a graceful and clever text, with forceful, lovely woodcut illustrations, which have been described.
Winner of the 1971 Caldecott Award.
[This text is listed as an example that meets Common Core Standards for K-1 in English language arts at http://www.corestandards.org.]
Moja Means One
by Muriel L. FeelingsA counting book that portrays the life and culture of Swahili-speaking Africa, with a brief text and dramatic illustrations. The numbers one through ten in Swahili accompany two-page illustrations of various aspects of East African life.
One Fine Day
by Nonny HogrogianFrom the book: A delightful telling makes this story of a greedy fox's adventure as catchy as a nursery rhyme. This book was the recipient of the 1972 Caldecott Medal.
Anansi the Spider
by Gerald McdermottAnansi the Spideris one of the great folk heroes of the world. He is a rogue, a mischief-maker, and a wise, lovable creature who triumphs over larger foes. In this traditional Ashanti tale, Anansi sets out on a long, difficult journey. Threatened by Fish and Falcon, he is saved from terrible fates by his sons. But which of his sons should Anansi reward? Calling upon Nyame, the God of All Things, Anansi solves his predicament in a touching and highly resourceful fashion. In adapting this popular folktale, Gerald McDermott merges the old with the new, combining bold, rich color with traditional African design motifs and authentic Ashanti language rhythms.
Snow-white and the Seven Dwarfs
by Randall JarrellThe story of the most gorgeous girl named Snow-White and her cruel stepmother.
When Clay Sings
by Byrd BaylorBased on the original pottery of the ancient Anasazi, Mogollon, Hohokam and Mimbres cultures, the writer imagines the reasons for the making of the pottery and its creation.
A beautifully-illustrated prose poem for preschool through grade 3 and older readers. These few words convey much about the role of pottery in the Southwestern Native-American culture.
Winner of the Caldecott Honor
The Funny Little Woman
by Arlene MoselThis is the story of a funny little woman who lives all by herself in her own little hut. She's a dumpling maker by trade, and one day a naughty dumpling escapes down a crack in her floor. As she reaches for it, the floor gives way and the woman finds herself on an ancient road surrounded by statues of gods. The statues warn the woman not to attract the attention of the local Oni (an evil demon) but the woman's giggles can't keep her hidden for long. Soon she's cooking for all the Oni in their homes with the help of a magic paddle. By the end, however, the woman wishes to return to her house and it is only when she is able to make the Oni laugh at her (rather than vice versa) that she is enabled to escape and prosper. Like all good folktales, this one contains elements that are familiar throughout the world. This book was the recipient of the 1973 Caldecott Medal.
Three Jovial Huntsmen
by Susan JeffersDespite the many animals in the forest, three hunters see only a ship, a house, and a pincushion and find nothing to shoot.
Cathedral
by David MacaulayReaders worldwide recognize Caldecott Medal winner David Macaulay's imaginary Cathedral of Chutreaux. This critically acclaimed book has been translated into a dozen languages and remains a classic of children's literature and a touchstone for budding architects.
Cathedral's numerous awards include a prestigious Caldecott Honor and designation as a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year for Macaulay's intricate pen-and-ink illustrations. Journey back to centuries long ago and visit the fictional people of twelfth-, thirteenth-, and fourteenth-century Europe whose dreams, like Cathedral, stand the test of time.
This title has been selected as a Common Core text exemplar (Grades 6-8, Informational Texts: Science, Mathematics, and Technical Studies).
Duffy and the Devil
by Harve ZemachIf you remember the story of Rumpelstiltskin, there will be no surprises here. And, the first paragraph may illicit load graons from those who are blind. Caldecott Medal winner. " Squire Lovel of Trove had no wife. His housekeeper, Old Jone, did the cooking and the cleaning for him. But the sharpness had long since gone out of her eyesight, so she couldn't do fine chores any more, like spinning and sewing and knitting. After a time the squire's clothes got so rough and ragged that he thought he'd better go find a maid to be Jone's helper."
Jambo Means Hello
by Muriel L. FeelingsA children's introduction to Swahili. Winner of the Caldecott Honor Medal and an ALA Notable Book.