Caldecott Medal and Honor Books

Last updated: January 28, 2026

Every January, the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, awards the Randolph Caldecott Medal to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children published in English by an American publisher in the United States during the preceding year. The Caldecott committee also gives several Caldecott Honor awards to artists of other books of distinction. Check out our list of some of the recent Caldecott-winning books. The latest winners and honorees are at the top. And be sure to check out our list of Newbery Medal and Honor Books and Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners.

Filter by:

Sort by:

Every Monday Mabel book cover: A brown-skinned girl with a puffy ponytail drags a chair in front of a window with a garbage truck in the background

BOOK

Every Monday Mabel

age 2+

Joyful story of routine, neighbors, and garbage trucks.

Jashar Awan Picture Book (2025)

See full review

Green Poster Image

BOOK

Green

age 2+

Clever color book expands idea of green in nature, at home.

Laura Vaccaro Seeger Colors (2012)

See full review

A Ball for Daisy Poster Image

BOOK

A Ball for Daisy

age 3+

Wordless story of dog's ball loss mirrors kids' emotions.

Chris Raschka Picture Book (2011)

See full review

A Big Mooncake for Little Star Poster Image

BOOK

A Big Mooncake for Little Star

age 3+

Girl sneaks nibbles, mooncake wanes in cozy bedtime charmer.

Grace Lin Picture Book (2018)

See full review

Big Cat, Little Cat Poster Image

BOOK

Big Cat, Little Cat

age 3+

Strikingly designed tale of cat-kitten friendship.

Elisha Cooper Picture Book (2017)

See full review

Flora and the Flamingo Poster Image

BOOK

Flora and the Flamingo

age 3+

Girl makes a feathered friend in whimsical, wordless outing.

Molly Idle Picture Book (2013)

See full review

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend Poster Image

BOOK

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend

age 3+

Cute, fresh take on having an imaginary friend.

Dan Santat Picture Book (2014)

See full review

The Lion & the Mouse Poster Image

BOOK

The Lion & the Mouse

age 3+

Retold fable with out-of-this-world art; a true keepsake.

Jerry Pinkney Friendship (2009)

See full review

They All Saw a Cat Poster Image

BOOK

They All Saw a Cat

age 3+

Everyone sees differently in clever look at point of view.

Brendan Wenzel Picture Book (2016)

See full review

This Is Not My Hat Poster Image

BOOK

This Is Not My Hat

age 3+

Little fish tries to outsmart big one in funny thief tale.

Jon Klassen Picture Book (2012)

See full review

We Are Water Protectors Poster Image

BOOK

We Are Water Protectors

age 3+

Powerful words, vibrant images inspire care for the earth.

Carole Lindstrom Picture Book (2020)

See full review

A Sick Day for Amos McGee Poster Image

BOOK

A Sick Day for Amos McGee

age 4+

2011 Caldecott winner celebrates caring for one another.

Philip C. Stead Picture Book (2010)

See full review

Bear Came Along Poster Image

BOOK

Bear Came Along

age 4+

Bear finds he's not alone in fun, eye-opening adventure.

Richard T. Morris Picture Book (2019)

See full review

Big book cover: Black girl in a tutu holding the letter "i" in the title

BOOK

Big

age 4+

Powerful picture book about girl who's told she's too big.

Vashti Harrison Picture Book (2023)

See full review

Blackout Poster Image

BOOK

Blackout

age 4+

Beautiful book captures the magic after lights go out.

John Rocco Picture Book (2011)

See full review

Chooch Helped book cover: Contemporary Cherokee girl looks upset with her little brother, who's spilling water from a watering can onto the floor

BOOK

Chooch Helped

age 4+

Girl grows to accept her brother in sweet sibling tale.

Andrea L. Rogers Picture Book (2024)

See full review

Double Bass Blues Poster Image

BOOK

Double Bass Blues

age 4+

Gorgeous story of a boy's excellence and the power of music.

Andrea J. Loney Picture Book (2019)

See full review

Du Iz Tak? Poster Image

BOOK

Du Iz Tak?

age 4+

Bugs speak gibberish and marvel at nature in joyous book.

Carson Ellis Picture Book (2016)

See full review

Extra Yarn Poster Image

BOOK

Extra Yarn

age 4+

Fanciful story of generosity has a classic folk-tale feel.

Mac Barnett Picture Book (2012)

See full review

Fireworks book cover: Silhouettes of two kids looking up at exploding fireworks in a blue sky

BOOK

Fireworks

age 4+

Lovely holiday tale captures thrill of city Fourth of July.

Matthew Burgess Picture Book (2025)

See full review

About the Author

Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media offers the largest, most trusted library of independent age-based ratings and reviews. Our timely parenting advice supports families as they navigate the challenges and possibilities of raising kids in the digital age.