Picture Perfect Randolph Caldecott and the Caldecott Medal Sara Adkins University of Central Arkansas Dr. Rickman Course 6230 Fall 2011

Randolph Caldecott Photo retrieved from As a child Caldecott, despite his father’s disapproval, drew pictures of wildlife and nature. He also created wood carvings of animals. Painting and sculpting were also activities Randolph enjoyed as a child. (University of Southern Mississippi-de Grummond Collection,1996) Born in March 22, 1846 Chester, Cheshire, England

1861-Caldecott became a bank clerk but continued to sketch 1867-Enrolled at the Manchester School of Art First artwork published in a weekly publication 1872 to1877- Caldecott began working with wood engravers J. D. Cooper and Edmund Evans. Black and white sketches were drawn on to smooth surfaces then photographed. Wood engravers would create blocks for printing with colored ink. (University of Southern Mississippi-de Grummond Collection, 1996)

The Association of Library Service to Children [ALSC] (2011) states the following: Randolph Caldecott was one of a group of three influential children's illustrators working in England in the 19th century. The other two illustrators were Kate Greenaway and Walter Crane. His illustrations for children were unique to their time in both their humor, and their ability to create a sense of movement, vitality, and action that complemented the stories they accompanied.

Photo retrieved from Caldecott moved to St. Augustine, Florida and died there (Randolph Caldecott Society, 2005)

Hey Diddle Diddle and Baby Bunting 1887 (1882 first edition) Some of Caldecott’s Works Photo retrieved from

The House that Jack Built (1878) Photo retrieved from

Frog He Would a-Wooing Go (1883) As stated by the Randolph Caldecott Society (2005) “The illustrations in this book, showing animals clothed and behaving like humans, indicate clearly how Randolph Caldecott influenced the work of Beatrix Potter. Two of Randolph's pictures still hang in her house in the Lake District, UK.” Photo retrieved from

The Caldecott Medal Awarded once a year by the Association of Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association Photo retrieved from al/aboutcaldecott/aboutcaldecott.cfm

The actual medal is bronze and depicts this illustration from The Diverting Story of John Gilpin (1878) by Caldecott and Evans (ASLC, 2011) Photo retrieved from Indian University School Library.

The Caldecott medal, as stated by the ASLC (2011) shall be awarded to the artist of the most distinguished American Picture Book for Children published in the United States during the preceding year. The award shall go to the artist, who must be a citizen or resident of the United States, whether or not he be the author of the text. First medal given in 1938 to Animals of the Bible, A Picture Book, illustrated by Dorothy P. Lathrop text selected by Helen Dean Fish. It was published by Lippincott. (ALSC, 2011)

Awarding Terms and Criteria Awarded annually to a book published from the preceding year Illustrator of book must be a U.S. citizen or live in the U.S. Must be a picture book for children appropriate for ages up to 14 (ALSC, 2011) Specific criteria for illustrations as stated by ALSC (2011) “a. Excellence of execution in the artistic technique employed; b. Excellence of pictorial interpretation of story, theme, or concept; c. Appropriateness of style of illustration to the story, theme or concept; d. Delineation of plot, theme, characters, setting, mood or information through the pictures; e. Excellence of presentation in recognition of a child audience.”

Can a book receive both the Newberry Award and the Caldecott Medal? From 1937 to 1978 only one award could be given to one book. In 1977, the American Library Association changed their rules and allowed one book to be eligible for both the Newberry and Caldecott awards. This officially began in In 1982 A Visit to William Blake’s Inn: Poems for Innocent and Experienced Travelers, illustrated by Alice and Martin Provensen,story by Nancy Willard won the Newberry Award and Caldecott Honor book. (ASLC, 2011)

Honor Books Photo retrieved from outcaldecott/aboutcaldecott.cfm Awarded to books who were “runners up” for the Caldecott Medal. (ALSC, 2011)

A list of all titles that have won the Caldecott Medal or Honor Seal since 1938 can be found on the Association of Library Service for Children website cottmedal/caldecottmedal

Guess my title, author, and illustrator In the text chat area, type your answers for each book. Keep in mind that the Caldecott medal is awarded for the pictures in the book. Can you recall the names of the illustrators as often as you do the authors?

The Little House Story and Pictures by Virginia Lee Burton Published in1942 by Houghton Mifflin (Illustration on page 39) Caldecott Medal in 1943

Click, Clack Moo Cows that Type by Doreen Cronin and Pictures by Betsy Lewin Published in 2000 Simon & Schuster Caldecott Honor 2001.

Strega Nona An old tale retold and illustrated by Tomie de Paola Published in 1975 Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Caldecott Honor book in 1976

Why is the Caldecott Medal important to Librarians? Stated in the K-12 Arkansas Frameworks for Library Media (2007) “Strand: Connection Standard 8: Associate Students shall make connections to the academic environment and the real world. C Understand that literary works meet certain criteria for award winners (e.g., Arkansas Diamond, Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Pura Belpré)” (p.14)

As Librarians develop their collections, it is important to include titles of books that are “distinguished.” These award winning books often become famous and, in turn, sought after by patrons of the library. (Fourie & Dowell, 2009) According to Fourie and Dowell (2009): Start up collections for new school librarians or for new public library branches routinely include backlists of prestigious award winning titles, since the receipt of a literary prize is seen as an indicator of high quality literature and likely of enduring value. (p. 102)

References Arkansas State Curriculum Frameworks for Library Media. (2007) Retrieved from curriculum/frameworks.html (p. 14) Association of Library Services for Children. (2011). Retrieved from awardsgrants /bookmedia / caldecottmedal Cronin, D., & Lewin, B. (2000). Click, clack, moo: cows that type. New Yourk: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Fourie, D.K., Dowell, D. R. (2009). Libraries in the information age: an introduction and career exploration. (2 nd Ed.) (pp ) Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries unlimited. Randolph Caldecott Society. (2005) Retrieved from DePoalo, T. (1975) Strega Nona., an old tale. New York: Scholastic Book Services. Burton, V. L. (1942). The little house. (p.39) Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co. University of Southern Mississippi-de Grummond Collection. (1996) Retrieved from ~degrum /htmlresearch/findaids/caldecot.htm Wikipedia. (2011) Retrieved from wiki/File:Randolph_Caldecott.jpg5