In the United States, the
Randolph Caldecott Medal is the most prestigious award for illustration of children's picture books that an artist can receive. In addition to the 2010 Caldecott Medal winner,
The Lion & the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney, two children's picture books were selected as Caldecott Honor Books.
The 2010 Caldecott Medal
Artist Jerry Pinkney is the recipient of the 2010 Caldecott Medal for
The Lion & the Mouse, his adaptation of one of Aesop’s fables. According to the
January 18, 2010 ALA media release,
"The screech of an owl, the squeak of a mouse and the roar of a lion transport readers to the Serengeti plains for this virtually wordless retelling of Aesop’s classic fable. In glowing colors, Pinkney’s textured watercolor illustrations masterfully portray the relationship between two very unlikely friends.
‘Pinkney’s stunning watercolors add new dimensions to an ancient tale in a book which is sure to become a beloved classic,’ said Caldecott Committee Chair Rita Auerbach"
The Lion & the Mouse is an extraordinary picture book, one I recommend for all ages. For more about the book, see my
review of The Lion & the Mouse. I was particularly pleased to see this picture book honored since it's first on my personal list of the
Best Illustrated Children's Books of the year. (
Compare prices.)
The 2010 Caldecott Honor Books
Note: The quotations below come from the American Library Association's January 18, 2010 media release about the award winners mentioned above.
- All the World, illustrated by Marla Frazee, written by Liz Garton Scanlon and published by Beach Lane Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. “In All the World, Frazee’s small vignettes and sweeping double-page spreads invite readers to share a joyful day with a diverse, multigenerational community. Flowing lines and harmonious colors give vibrant life to Scanlon’s poetic text.” For more about the book, see my overview of All the World on my Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2009 list. (Compare prices.)
- Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors, illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski, written by Joyce Sidman and published by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. “In Red Sings from Treetops, Zagarenski’s playful illustrations enliven Sidman’s expressive poetry in this exploration of the seasons and their colors. Computer illustration and mixed-media paintings on wood combine rich textures, intriguing graphic elements, stunning colors and stylized figures to reward attentive readers with a visually exciting interplay of poetry and illustration.” (Compare prices.)
All of these picture books lend themselves to reading aloud and sharing as a family. I hope you’ll share some (or all) of them with your family.
