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Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears illustrations by Leo & Diane Dillon, text by Verna Aardema Caldecott Medal 1976 Ages 5–8 This retelling of a traditional West African tale reveals how the mosquito developed its annoying habit of buzzing in people’s ears. The wax-resist style illustrations are incredible. Song and Dance Man by Karen Ackerman Caldecott Medal 1989 Ages 3–7 One afternoon a visit to the attic convinces Grandpa to recreate his vaudeville song and dance act for his three delighted grandchildren. The colorful illustrations capture the children’s viewpoint of this delightful event. The Retired Kid by Jon Agee Ages 4–8 Eight-year old Brian, exhausted by school, soccer, and eating his vegetables, decides to retire and heads for Florida. At the Sunset Retirement Center, Brian at first enjoys the leisurely pace, but finally decides to come out of retirement and return to his job. M Is for Mischief: An A to Z of Naughty Children by Linda Ashman & Nancy Carpenter Ages 6–10 Packed with assonance and alliteration, twenty-six naughty children romp through this book, illustrated by Carpenter’s energetic digital collages. In a Blue Room by Jim Averbeck Ages 3–7 Alice begs for everything blue as her mother tries to put her to bed in a room full of other colors. Turning out the light bathes Alice’s room in the pale blue light of the moon and Alice’s wishes all come true. Madeline’s Rescue by Ludwig Bemelmans Caldecott Medal 1954 Ages 4–8 One day on a walk through Paris Madeline slips and falls off a bridge right into the Seine and is rescued by a brave dog. The girls take the dog home, but she is banned from the house, so the girls must search all of Paris to find her again. Incredible illustrations complement the rhyming text. (sequel to Madeline) Keep Your Eye on the Kid: The Early Years of Buster Keaton by Catherine Brighton Ages 5–8 This picture biography follows Buster Keaton from his birth to vaudeville parents to his early 30s. Cinderella, or the Little Glass Slipper by Marcia Brown Caldecott Medal 1955 Ages 4–8 This retelling of the classic tale by Charles Perrault is a skillful version that is both simple and romantic. The pen and watercolor illustrations complement the story beautifully. Once a Mouse… by Marcia Brown Caldecott Medal 1962 Ages 4–8 The mighty tiger challenges anyone to say he was once a mouse, but the hermit knows it to be true, since he himself used magic to transform the mouse into a cat and then a dog and finally a tiger. And unfortunately for the too proud tiger, those changes can be reversed. Beautiful woodcuts illustrate this Indian fable. Shadow by Marcia Brown Caldecott Medal 1983 Ages 5–8 Marcia Brown's stunning African-inspired collage illustrations evoke the atmosphere and drama of a life now haunted, now enchanted by Shadow. (translated by Marcia Brown from the French poetry of Blaise Cendrars) The Little Island text by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrations by Leonard Weisgard Caldecott Medal 1947 Ages 4–9 The little island is rich with plant and animal life despite its remote location. The illustrations beautifully document the seasonal changes. Smoky Night text by Eve Bunting, illustrations by David Diaz Caldecott Medal 1995 Ages 5–10 Daniel’s cat doesn’t get along with Mrs. Kim’s cat and Daniel’s mother doesn’t shop at Mrs. Kim’s store, preferring to patronize African-American stores. But when Daniel’s apartment building goes up in flames, all the neighbors, including the cats, learn the importance of working together and accepting differences. Inspired by the Los Angeles riots, this book delivers a message about racism with a light touch supported by dazzling mixed-media collage illustrations. The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton Caldecott Medal 1943 Ages 3–6 The little house in the country was happy until the city grew large enough to surround her. Finally a woman rescues the house by moving it back to the country. The whimsical drawings are delightful. The Big Book for Little Hands by Marie-Pascale Cocagne Ages 3–6 This engaging activity book reinforces educational concepts as young artists color and complete the illustrations. Chanticleer and the Fox by Barbara Cooney Caldecott Medal 1959 Ages 4–8 Chanticleer the rooster falls for the flattery of the fox and is caught. Luckily Chanticleer is clever enough to think himself out of danger in this retelling of the “Nun’s Priest’s Tale” from Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Beautiful pen and ink drawings illustrate the fable. Jake’s Best Thumb by Ilene Cooper & Claudio Muñoz Ages 4–8 Jake is so adept at one-handed life that he sees no reason to stop sucking his thumb until a Kindergarten bully begins to mock him. Quirky illustrations and a charming story will have readers cheering for Jake as he struggles to balance habit and acceptance. The Black Book of Colors by Menena Cottin & Rosana Faria Ages 5–10 This book attempts to convey the experience of blindness. White text on black pages, with braille above, explain how Thomas tastes, feels, and hears about color words. Raised black lines on black paper, decodable by touch alone, illustrate Thomas’s color images. This amazing book allows young readers to experience the world in a new way. Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin, Betsy Lewin Ages 4–8 Farmer Brown is amazed when his cows discover an old typewriter in the barn and soon learn to use it to air their grievances. When Farmer Brown denies their requests, the cows go on strike in this hilarious example of the power of the protest. Giggle, Giggle, Quack by Doreen Cronin, Betsy Lewin Ages 4–8 When Farmer Brown goes on vacation, he leaves his brother Bob in charge of the animals. Duck finds the written directions, and amends them to add more interesting food, bubble baths, and movie nights to the amusement of all. Duck for President by Doreen Cronin, Betsy Lewin Ages 4–8 Duck is tired of doing his chores and decides to hold an election to replace Farmer Brown with himself. Quickly discovering that running a farm is way too much work, Duck moves on to governor and then president. A hilarious look at the electoral process. Doobie, Doobie, Moo by Doreen Cronin, Betsy Lewin Ages 4–8 When Duck reads about the upcoming talent show at the county fair, he organizes the animals into nightly rehearsals. This funny book makes a wonderful read-and-sing-aloud! Cool Daddy Rat by Kristyn Crow Ages 3–up Bass player Cool Daddy Rat heads out to perfrom in the big city and his son Ace comes along in this tribute to jazz. Scat lines are delicious to read aloud. May I Bring a Friend? text by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers, illustrations by Beni Montresor Caldecott Medal 1965 Ages 3–8 The King and Queen are always gracious, even when their guest brings along a wild animal or several. The richly colored illustrations show the well-behaved animals causing unintentional havoc in the palace. Drummer Hoff illustrations by Ed Emberley, text by Barbara Emberley Caldecott Medal 1968 Ages 3–8 Seven soldiers build an incredible cannon which Drummer Hoff sets off. The cumulative rhymes and repetition in the text encourage young children to “read along” while admiring the brightly-colored woodcut illustrations. To the Big Top by Jill Esbaum Ages 5–8 Benny and his friend Sam land jobs helping with the elephants when the circus comes to town. As the boys move from backstage to choice seats in the Big Top, this book captures the excitement of the circus arriving in small town America in the late 1800s. A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever by Marla Frazee Ages 6–9 Frazee’s hilarious cartoon drawings illustrate this delightful celebration of summer, best friends, and grandparents. Stanley Goes for a Drive by Craig Frazier Ages 4–8 Stanley goes for a drive in his pickup on a hot dry day. He sees a black and white cow in the middle of a herd of solid black cows. As he milks it, the white spots disappear. Stanley throws the milk into the sky. White clouds appear and then rain turns the earth green as Stanley drives home. Incredible illustrations, which move from a orange pallate into greens, support this magical tale of transformation. Stanley Mows the Lawn by Craig Frazier Ages 4–8 Stanley heads out to mow the lawn: up and back, up and back. Or is that the only way to do it? This beautifully illustrated book celebrates the imagination and the art of looking at the world in your own way. Stanley Goes Fishing by Craig Frazier Ages 4–8 After Stanley pulls a boat out of the water instead of a fish, he casts his line into the sky and hauls in a boatload of golden fish. The story is intriguing, but it is the illustrations that shine in this beautiful picture book which encourages kids to look at the world in a different way. Hogwash by Arthur Geisert Ages 4–8 After the village piglets play in mud and paint they are scrubbed down in a gigantic machine designed by the clever pigs themselves. Hand-colored copperplate etchings illustrate the remarkable technology. The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein Caldecott Medal 2004 Ages 5–8 In August 1974, Philippe Petit and a friend carry a 440-pound reel of cable and other equipment to the top of the Twin Towers in New York City so that Petit can walk a tight rope between the towers. Beautifully detailed paintings illustrate the beauty and danger of this event. The Grasshopper’s Song: An Aesop’s Fable Revisited by Nikki Giovanni Ages 4–up The grasshoppers sing while the ants work in rhythm. When the ants refuse to share the harvest, the grasshoppers take them to court. This amusing retelling will appeal to all ages. The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses by Paul Goble Caldecott Medal 1980 Ages 5–8 The girl in this Native American tale loves horses so much that eventually she leaves her people to live with the herd. The bold illustrations beautifully complement this story of a girl who followed her heart with the support of her village. The Storyteller’s Candle/La velita de los cuentos by Lucia González, Lulu Delacre Ages 4–9 This bilingual book set in 1929 tells the story of Pura Belpré, the first Puerto Rican librarian hired by the New York Public Library, through the eyes of two children who are inspired by her to enter the Library for the first time. The Big Snow by Berta & Elmer Hader Caldecott Medal 1949 Ages 4–8 Simple text and beautiful illustrations tell the story of how the woodland creatures prepare for winter. In the winter of the big snow, the people who live in the little stone house help the animals by putting food out for them. A Story, A Story by Gail E. Haley Caldecott Medal 1971 Ages 4–8 In the beginning there were no stories for children to hear, so Ananse the Spider went to bargain with Nyame, the Sky God, to bring the stories down to Earth. Wonderful woodcut illustrations support the clever text in this retelling of an African folktale. Ox-Cart Man text by Donald Hall, illustrations by Barbara Cooney Caldecott Medal 1980 Ages 4–8 The stunning combination of text and illustrations recreates the mood of 19-century rural New England. Mail Harry to the Moon! by Robie H. Harris Ages 3–8 The narrator is less than thrilled with his annoying, attention-hogging new baby brother and has numerous creative suggestions for solving the problem until he is convinced that his parents are ready to act on his moon idea. Fresh and funny look at a classic situation. Twenty Heartbeats by Dennis Haseley, Ed Young Ages 5–9 Set in the Far East long ago, a rich man hires an artist to paint his beloved horse. After years of waiting, the artists paints the horse in little more than 20 heartbeats. The rich man is furious until he sees thousands of drawings of his horse in the artist’s studio. Ed Young’s incredible illustrations bring the story to life. Benny and Penny: Just Pretend by Geoffrey Hayes Ages 4–8 Mouse siblings Benny (the pirate) and Penny (the princess) squabble and play together. Skillful drawings help beginning readers make sense of the text. This Toon Book series (by various authors) is designed for beginning readers. Saint George and the Dragon text by Margaret Hodges, illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman Caldecott Medal 1985 Ages 4–8 George, the Red Cross Knight, slays the dreadful dragon that has been terrorizing the countryside for years and brings peace and joy to the land. The illustrations for the retelling of this segment from Spenser’s The Faerie Queene are rich in detail and sparkle with gold highlights. One Fine Day by Nonny Hogrogian Caldecott Medal 1972 Ages 4–8 In this humorous retelling of an Armenian folktale, a fox steals some milk from an old farm woman. She cuts off his tail, and the fox spends the rest of the day bargaining to get it back. The vividly beautiful illustrations bring this tale to life. Grump Groan Growl by Bell Hooks Ages 3–8 A child and his inner monster illustrate this effective portrayal of a bad mood on the prowl. My Chincoteague Pony by Susan Jeffers Ages 5–9 Julie works hard all year, but still doesn’t have enough money to buy a pony at the yearly auction. When the townspeople chip in to help her out, Julie vows to work just as hard next year so that she can help another girl buy a pony of her own. Skunkdog by Emily Jenkins Ages 4–9 Dumpling the dog has no sense of smell and so no dog friends. Pierre Pratt’s amusing illustrations help to bring this tale of a dog forced to choose between obedience and companionship to life. The Hello, Goodbye Window text by Norton Juster, illustrations by Chris Raschka Caldecott Medal 2006 Ages 4–7 A girl visits her grandparents, enjoying the house and garden and the surprises through the window. This child-centered view of everyday activities is just right for reading aloud. The bright illustrations are perfect for portraying this happy multi-racial family. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats Caldecott Medal 1963 Ages 4–8 A small boy wakes up to discover that snow has fallen overnight. The beautiful illustrations of watercolor and collage show the magic of simple experiences in the snow. The Scrambled States of America Talent Show by Laurie Keller Ages 5–10 The 50 states are gathered for a talent show, and what a bunch of hams! Snappy dialog and energetic illustrations help kids absorb the state and geographic information. What To Do About Alice? How Alice Roosevelt Broke the Rules, Charmed the World, and Drove Her Father Teddy Crazy! by Barbara Kerley Ages 4–8 This high energy picture book celebrates a young spirited American heroine who livened up the White House. Everybody Bonjours! by Leslie Kimmelman Ages 5–8 On vacation with her family in Paris, a girl visits famous places and enjoys saying “bonjour.” Sarah McMenemy’s lively mixed-media illustrations support the bouncy text. Fartiste by Kathleen Krull, Paul Brewer, Boris Kulikov Ages 4–9 Joseph Pujol learns to control his intestines and performs at the legendary Moulin Rouge in this mostly true story. Kulikov’s explosive illustrations are sure to amuse the small boy in all of us. Frog Went A-Courtin’ text by John Langstaff, illustrations by Feodor Rojankovsky Caldecott Medal 1956 Ages 4–8 In this version of the old song, Froggy puts on his shiny black boots and goes out to court Miss Mousy. The colorful illustrations bring this book to life. Included are the words and music to the song. Imaginary Menagerie A Book of Curious Creatures by Julie Larios Ages 4–9 Poetry Julie Paschkis’s incredible gouache paintings illustrate poems about creatures from mythology and folklore. Wave by Suzy Lee Ages 4–8 Wordless two-color picture book follows a small girl’s interaction with the waves. The vibrant watercolor illustrations capture the joy and laughter of a day at the beach. Trainstop by Barbara Lehman Ages 4–8 This wordless fantasy takes a young urban girl on a subway train to an idyllic Lilliputian world. Always Room for One More text by Sorche Nic Leodhas, illustrations by Nonny Hogrogian Caldecott Medal 1966 Ages 4–8 Travelers in a storm are glad to hear Lachie MacLachlan generously call out that there is always room for one more. Narrated in a lilting, rhyming brogue, the Scottish travelers fill the little house until it explodes. Bats at the Beach by Brian Lies Ages 4–8 The bats apply their moon-tan lotion and head out for an incredible night at the beach. The dark yet luminous art and rhyming text are the perfect foil for these furry and friendly creatures. Finders Keepers text by William Lipkind, illustrations by Nicolas Mordvinoff Caldecott Medal 1952 Ages 4–8 Nap and Winkle dig up a bone together in the yard and can’t decide who it belongs to since Nap saw it first and Winkle touched it first. People passing by can’t help them solve their disagreement until another dogs offers a solution both can agree to. The humorous illustrations fit the story perfectly. Fables by Arnold Lobel Caldecott Medal 1981 Ages 6–10 These short original fables have unexpected morals. The humorous illustrations add to the fun.

Black and White by David Macaulay Caldecott Medal 1991 Ages 4–10 Four stories, that at first seem unrelated, each occupy a fourth of each two-page spread. The interactions between the four stories creates a fifth. There is no resolution, challenging readers to discover new meaning with each reading. Snowflake Bentley text by Jacqueline Briggs Martin, illustrations by Mary Azarian Caldecott Medal 1999 Ages 4–8 This biography of Wilson A. Bentley tells the story of a rural Vermont farmboy in the mid-19th century who became fascinated by snowflakes. Bentley developed a system of microphotography that allowed him to capture images of snowflakes and prove that no two snowflakes are identical. Azarian’s woodcuts are perfect. Adèle & Simon by Barbara McClintock Ages 4–8 Walking home from school in early 20th century Paris, Adèle’s little brother Simon leaves something at every stop, encouraging the reader to search carefully through every beautifully detailed ink and watercolor illustration. A 1907 map of Paris on the endpapers traces the children’s route. Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey Caldecott Medal 1942 Ages 3–8 Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are having trouble finding the perfect nest site until they reach Boston’s Public Garden. Safe from foxes and turtles, and plenty of peanuts, this must be the perfect spot. The lovely humorous illustrations beautifully support the gentle minimal text. Time of Wonder by Robert McCloskey Caldecott Medal 1958 Ages 4–8 Two sisters spend a glorious summer in Maine on Penobscot Bay, swimming, sailing, and experiencing a storm. The poetic language and beautiful illustrations capture this magical time. Mirette on the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully Caldecott Medal 1993 Ages 4–8 Mirette helps “The Great Bellini” regain his confidence while he stays at her mother’s boarding house and eventually the two are walking the high wire above the rooftops of the city. Rich illustrations capture 19th-century Paris. Arrow to the Sun: A Pueblo Indian Tale by Gerald McDermott Caldecott Medal 1975 Ages 4–8 A young boy searches for his father and must prove he is worthy by passing through four ceremonial chambers in this retelling of the Pueblo Native American legend. The bold and colorful geometric illustrations echo Pueblo designs. The Egg Tree by Katherine Milhous Caldecott Medal 1951 Ages 5–8 Katy discovers her grandmother’s old hand-painted eggs while on a family Easter egg hunt. Grandmom had painted the eggs when she was a little girl, and shows Katy how to hang them on the special egg tree. The beautiful Pennsylvania-Dutch inspired illustrations will inspire readers to paint eggs of their own. The Funny Little Woman text by Arlene Mosel, illustrations by Blair Lent Caldecott Medal 1973 Ages 3–8 Long ago in old Japan a funny little woman with a silly little laugh chases a runaway dumpling and soon finds herself cooking dumplings for a band of demons. Her infectious laugh helps her charm the demons into releasing her. Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions text by Margaret Musgrove, illustrations by Leo & Diane Dillon Caldecott Medal 1978 Ages 6–12 Incredible pictures illustrate the traditions and customs of 26 African tribes beginning with letters from A to Z. Most paintings include a man, woman, child, artifact, living quarters, and a local animal. Sam, Bangs & Moonshine by Evaline Ness Caldecott Medal 1967 Ages 4–8 Samantha is a fisherman’s daughter who lives in her imagination. Everyone calls her fantasies moonshine. One day she sends her friend Thomas and her cat Bangs out to sea to look for her escaped pet kangaroo. A sudden storm makes Sam rethink the line between moonshine and reality. Planting the Trees of Kenya by Claire A. Nivola Ages 5–9 This biography of Wangari Maathai, winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize, encourages the belief that anyone can change the course of history. Fancy Nancy’s Favorite Fancy Words: From Accessories to Zany by Jane O’Connor Ages 4–9 Fancy Nancy makes vocabulary glamorous in this A-Z list of useful words used and illustrated in classic Fancy Nancy style. The Song of the Swallows by Leo Politi Caldecott Medal 1950 Ages 4–8 Julian, the gardener and bell-ringer at Mission San Juan Capistrano, shares his love of the swallows that return every year with his young friend Juan. This year Juan plants his own garden and hopes that the swallows will build a nest there. Beautiful watercolor illustrations capture the magic of the migrating birds. The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship text by Arthur Ransome, illustrations by Uri Shulevitz Caldecott Medal 1969 Ages 4–8 In this retelling of a Russian folktale, the simple third son is helped by those with magical powers to perform the impossible tasks set by the Czar and wins the princess. The colorful illustrations have a wonderful Russian folk-art look. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig Caldecott Medal 1970 Ages 4–8 Sylvester the donkey finds a magic pebble that will grant his every wish. Unfortunately Sylvester is startled by a lion and wishes he were a rock and then cannot hold the magic pebble to wish himself back to normal again. The glorious watercolor illustrations convey the nuances of this touching story. If Animals Kissed Good Night by Ann Whitford Paul Ages 3–6 Wonderfully silly presentation of animal parents and children kissing good night complete with nonsense sounds is sure to become a bedtime ritual. The Rooster Crows: A Book of American Rhymes and Jingles by Maud & Miska Petersham Caldecott Medal 1946 Ages 3–8 This book is full of nursery rhymes, counting-out games, skipping-rope songs, finger games, and other jingles. The Glorious Flight: Across the Channel with Louis Blériot by Alice & Martin Provensen Caldecott Medal 1984 Ages 4–8 This book shows the persistence of Louis Blériot, a Frenchman, who was determined to to build a flying machine to cross the English Channel. His glorious flight occurred on July 25, 1909. Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann Caldecott Medal 1996 Ages 4–8 Officer Buckle’s school safety assemblies are so boring that his audience falls asleep. Then police dog Gloria joins the act and pantomimes each safety tip behind the unsuspecting Officer Buckle who is amazed that his audience suddenly finds him funny. The hilarious illustrations make this book something special. Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex Ages 5–10 This hilarious collection of illustrated poems describes the lives of famous monsters. Kids will love the effortless rhymes and the different art styles, individually tailored for each creature. Great read-aloud. Baboushka and the Three Kings text by Ruth Robbins, illustrations by Nicolas Sidjakov Caldecott Medal 1961 Ages 4–8 The Three Kings coming from the East to bring gifts to a new-born child lose their way in the snow in Russia and knock on Baboushka’s door. She is too busy with her chores to join them. The next morning she is sorry she refused and tries to follow with her own gifts but the trail is covered by new snow. Baboushka gives her gifts to other children instead. The strong primary colors and bold outlines emphasize the Russian theme of the story. Sergio Makes a Splash by Edel Rodriguez Ages 3–8 Sergio the penguin loves water, as long as it’s not very deep since he can’t swim. Poster-like expressive illustrations present Sergio’s plunge into the water, armed with floaties, snorkel, and a life preserver. My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann Caldecott Medal 2003 Ages 4–8 Mouse narrates this story of his friend Rabbit who has just as much fun getting Mouse out of trouble as he does getting him into it. Incredible and hilarious illustrations support the simple story. Silly Lilly and the Four Seasons by Agnes Rosenstiehl Ages 4–8 In this Toon Book (comic easy reader), the curious and observant Lilly enjoys the four seasons in five short scenes. Meet Wild Boars by Meg Rosoff, Sophie Blackall Ages 4–8 Wild boars Morris, Boris, Horace, and Doris are dirty, smelly, bad-tempered, and rude. This silly cautionary book is sure to delight young readers. Jumpy Jack & Googily by Meg Rosoff & Sophie Blackall Ages 3–8 Jumpy Jack the snail is worried he will meet a monster and describes the dreaded beast to his friend Googily. The comically understated text provides a foil for the vivid visual punch lines. Silent Music by James Rumford Ages 4–9 Like his hero Yakut, who wrote about the destruction of Baghdad in 1258, Ali turns to calligraphy during the bombing of Baghdad in 2003. Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say Caldecott Medal 1994 Ages 4–8 This book tells the story of Say’s grandfather who sailed from Japan to North America, ending up in California. He returned to Japan to marry his sweetheart, bringing her back to California. When his daughter is nearly grown, he takes his family back to Japan. In Japan they miss California and return to America. The beautiful illustrations perfectly capture the feeling of always being homesick for one country or the other. Kids Like Us by Carole Schaefer & Pierr Morgan Ages 3–6 Enthusiastic language and appropriate text capture the exuberant yet serious spirit of small multiracial children absorbed in creative play. Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle Ages 3–7 All the animals love to see Little Blue Truck coming down the road, but not the obnoxious Dump Truck. Rhyming stanzas encourage joining in on the animal and vehicle noises in this nostalgic homage to friendship and the rewards of helping others. Gallop! by Rufus Butler Seder Ages 4–8 Inventor, artist, and filmmaker Seder has created Scanimation, a new animation technique. A hidden tab in each page slides an acetate layer over an animal image, creating the illusion of motion reminicent of Eadweard Muybridge’s motion photography. Rhyming text accompanies each animated image on this fascinating picture book. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak Caldecott Medal 1964 Ages 4–8 Max puts on his wolf suit and gets sent to bed without supper. Luckily a forest grows in his room and he can rampage with the other wild things. The hilarious wild things, scary-looking without actually being scary, and the wonderful run-on sentences of the simple text combine to create an incredible view inside a child’s imagination. How I Learned Geography by Uri Shulevitz Ages 4–8 Uri’s boyhood memories of WWII: using geography and imagination to combat fear and rage while fleeing Warsaw for Kazakhstan. So You Want to Be President? text by Judith St. George, illustrations by David Small Caldecott Medal 2001 Ages 8–12 This lighthearted book uses anecdotes and trivia to convey the message that anyone can be president. The humorous caricatures highlight each president's best known qualities. The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson Ages 3–6 Beth Krommes’s magical illustrations amplify the minimal text to highlight the things in a house that really matter: books, art, music, and love. This bedtime book will be treasured by children and adults alike. Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback Caldecott Medal 2000 Ages 4–8 When Joseph’s overcoat starts falling apart he turns it into a jacket, then a vest, then a scaft, and so on in this adaptation of a Yiddish folksong. The illustrations are incredibly detailed and full of funny details. United Tweets of America by Hudson Talbott Ages 6–8 In the United Tweets pageant, state birds show off their home states. The state trivia is delivered in a delightful tongue-in-cheek fashion sure to spark interest in geography and history in young readers. Many Moons by James Thurber, illustrations by Louis Slobodkin Caldecott Medal 1944 Ages 4–8 Once there was a little princess who wanted the moon, but no one could get it for her—not her father, the king, his wise men, or the jester. Finally the little princess solves the problem herself. The beautiful watercolors portray the magical quality of this tale. White Snow, Bright Snow by Alvin Tresselt, illustrations by Roger Duvoisin Caldecott Medal 1948 Ages 4–8 When the snow begins to fall, the adults rush around doing important chores, but the children dance and try to catch snowflakes on their tongues. The bright illustrations capture a child’s delight in the first snow of the season. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg Caldecott Medal 1986 Ages 6–8 The Polar Express is an old-fashioned steam train that takes children to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. Incredible illustrations evoke a memory of a long-ago time. Building Manhattan by Laura Vila Ages 6–8 Following the growth of Manhattan from prehistory to the present in lavish illustrations and single sentences, this book will be enjoyed over and over. The Biggest Bear by Lynd Ward Caldecott Medal 1953 Ages 4–8 Johnny sets off to kill the biggest bear he can find, but since all he finds is a cup he brings it home. When the bear grows too big to keep as a pet, Johnny tries to set it free, but the bear keeps returning at supper time. Finally Johnny has to find permanent solution. Beautifully detailed illustrations capture rural life perfectly. Chester by Mélanie Watt Ages 4–8 Mélanie Watt starts to write the story of a mouse, but her cat Chester, armed with a red marker, dismisses the mouse and rewrites the story with a new hero—himself. Mélanie and the mouse fight back, and it’s a duel to the final page in this hilarious picture book. Flotsam by David Wiesner Caldecott Medal 2007 Ages 4–9 In this wordless picture book, a wave brings an underwater camera to shore and a boy develops the film. Amazing photographs emerge: a windup fish, aliens among the sea horses, an octopus reading, and finally a picture of a child holding a picture of a child holding a picture of a child… inviting the reader to discover the narrative on each page. The Three Pigs by David Wiesner Caldecott Medal 2002 Ages 5–8 These three clever pigs move from realistic to storybook illustrations as they manipulate the classic tale. The use of white space, perspective, and humor make these illustrations something special. Tuesday by David Wiesner Caldecott Medal 1992 Ages 5–8 In this nearly wordless book, the frogs on their lily pads soar through the night. The illustrations perfectly capture the surreal magic of flying frogs. Golem by David Wisniewski Caldecott Medal 1997 Ages 6–10 Elaborate cut-paper collage illustrations provide dramatic visuals for this retelling of a Jewish legend of Rabbi Loew who used his powers to create a gigantic Golem from clay to protect his people from persecution in the ghettos of 16th-century Prague. A Tree Is Nice text by Janice Udry, illustrations by Marc Simont Caldecott Medal 1957 Ages 4–8 This book explores all the benefits that trees bring us in simple text suitable for young readers. The elongated shape of the book allows the beautiful illustrations to capture the graceful height of trees. Owl Moon text by Jane Yolen, illustrations by John Schoenherr Caldecott Medal 1988 Ages 3–8 A young girl and her father go owling late one winter night. The lyrical text and beautiful illustrations combine to transform this simple event into a magical adventure. Hey, Al text by Arthur Yorinks, illustrations by Richard Egielski Caldecott Medal 1987 Ages 4–8 A strange bird offers to take Al, the janitor, and his dog Eddie to a wonderful place with no worries. The strange and beautiful place is indeed paradise, but Al and Eddie eventually decide that home is better. Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China by Ed Young Caldecott Medal 1990 Ages 4–8 Three daughters left at home while their mother goes to visit Grandmother are almost fooled by Lon Po Po, the wolf pretending to be their Grandmother. Incredible illustrations that are both realistic and abstract add to the power of this retelling of the classic tale. Rapunzel by Paul O. Zelinsky Caldecott Medal 1998 Ages 4–10 The beautiful Italian Renaissance-styled illustrations with warm golden tones bring the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale to life. Duffy and the Devil illustrated by Margot Zemach, text by Harve Zemach Caldecott Medal 1974 Ages 4–8 This comic version of the Rumpelstiltskin story is based on a 19th century play from Cornwall, England. The pen and wash illustrations are rich in detail and humorous interpretation of the characters.

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