Caldecott Medal Award

The Caldecott Medal 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 published that year.
It was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. Together with the Newbery Medal (Literary award given to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children), it is the most prestigious American children's book award.

The Caldecott Medal is not to be confused with the Caldecott Honor citation, which is conferred annually to worthy runners-up.

Criteria for the Award:

• The book must be published in English in the United States during the preceding year.
• The illustrations must be original work.
• The artist must be a citizen or resident of the United States.
• The book must be considered for the artistic technique employed; pictorial interpretation of story; appropriateness of style of illustration to the story; delineation of plot, theme, characters, setting mood or information through the pictures; and recognition of a child audience.
• The book must display respect for children's understandings, abilities, and appreciations.
• The book must be a self-contained entity, not dependent on other media for its enjoyment.