Have you ever wondered how some books get those shiny seals on their covers? What makes a book an award winner? And who gets to decide?
In the case of the Caldecott Medal, the award is for illustration and it is “awarded annually to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children published by an American publisher in the United States in English during the preceding year.”
The folks who get to decide which artist and book will be selected each year are members of the Association for Library Services to Children. They include professors, children’s librarians in public and school libraries, and other professionals whose work revolves around children and books.
That means I’ve spent the last 12 months reading and evaluating a LOT of illustrated books. Most are picture books, some are for older readers and a few are graphic novels. Along with all that individual work, I’ve met virtually with a committee of 14 others to discuss what makes some of these titles stand out. Then we met in person at a recent library conference and, after long hours of discussion, we arrived at our final decisions.
Each of us brought our own experiences and skills to this process. And all of us were thrilled to be part of something we believe in so deeply—that artistic excellence in books for children is worth celebrating.
Illustrations in books for children serve a variety of functions. They help communicate the actions and ideas shared in the text. They can also expand a story by filling in details that aren’t included in the words.
Some research suggests that the presence of pictures increases interaction between the caregiver reading aloud and the listening child. This kind of exchange also supports the development of pre-reading (or early literacy) skills.
There are also less everyday reasons why art matters. Books like Hannah Salyer’s Ancestory, which explores prehistoric cave art, show that depictions of ourselves and the world we live in have intrigued us for a very long time.
This is a Story, by John Schu with illustrations by Lauren Castillo, explores the joy and satisfaction a group of children feel as they visit the library to find (and love) books that suit their interests.
And Another, by Christian Robinson, uses only pictures to take a young girl on an imaginative journey.
And speaking of journeys, next time you take a trip to Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Main in Oakland, don’t miss the life-size reproductions of some of the art from Robinson’s book in the Portal Entry of the building!
We hope we’ll see you soon, whichever library you choose to visit. And we’ll be happy to suggest some great picture books for kids—as well as illustrated books for teens and adults, too. After all, children shouldn’t get to have all of the fun, right?
Lisa Dennis is the Coordinator of Children’s Collections at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
Images: details from Another, by Christian Robinson
