The end of January is an exciting time for Children’s Librarians. Two of the oldest children’s book award are announced to the world, The Newbery and Caldecott Awards.
The Newbery Medal was named for eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.
The 2021 winner is “When You Trap a Tiger,” written by Tae Keller. Five Newbery Honor Books also were named: “All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team,” written by Christina Soontornvat; “BOX: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom,” written by Carole Boston Weatherford; “Fighting Words,” written by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley; “We Dream of Space,” written by Erin Entrada Kelly; and “A Wish in the Dark,” written by Christina Soontornvat
The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.
“We Are Water Protectors” illustrated by Michaela Goade and written by Carole Lindstrom, is the 2021 Caldecott Medal winner. Four Caldecott Honor Books also were named: “A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart,” written by Zetta Elliott ; “The Cat Man of Aleppo,” illustrated by Yuko Shimizu, written by Irene Latham & Karim Shamsi-Basha; “Me & Mama,” illustrated and written by Cozbi A. Cabrera; and “Outside In,” illustrated by Cindy Derby, written by Deborah Underwood.
You can find these books and many more at your local York County Library.
Chris DeLuca