Caldecott Medal Winners and Honor Books

The Spider and the Fly by Tony DiTerlizzi

This book, which is based on the cautionary poem by Mary Howitt, tells the story of a lady fly who is reluctant to follow a spider into his den.  The spider finally lures the fly with words of flattery and she is forever in his den and she “never came out again!” This book is a Caldecott Honor book.

What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? By Steve Jenkins and Robin Page

This Caldecott Honor book teaches the reader what animals do with their noses and tails. For example, “if you’re an elephant, you use your nose to give yourself a bath”. This book is a wonderful way to teach children about different animals and facts about the way they function. The book comes with beautiful illustrations and facts in the back of the book about each animal featured.

Blackout by John Rocco

Another Caldecott Honor book about a summer night when the power goes out in the city. This incident forces the family to find their own fun without phones or computers. When the family goes on their roof to escape the heat in the house, they see a star-filled sky, leading them to a block party where all their neighbors are there. Though the power finally gets restored, the family learns that board games by candle light and interacting with neighbors is still more fun than electricity. The comic-strip illustrations add to the engagement of this book!

The Stray Dog by Marc Simont

This Caldecott Honor book tells the story of a stray dog whom a family picnicking in the park finds. The children want to keep the dog but their parents tell them the dog may belong to someone who would miss him if the family took him home. After returning for another picnic, the dog shows up again, and the kids name him Willy. They save him from a dog ward that is trying to collect him and Willy lives comfortably with his new family.

A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka

Winner of the 2012 Caldecott Medal, this book tells of a dog named Daisy who loses her favorite ball to a bigger dog who eventually destroys it. Heartbroken, Daisy eventually finds another ball that she can claim as her own. Though this story is told without words and only pictures, it nonetheless evokes a powerful feeling among the reader.

Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathman

This Caldecott Medal book is about Officer Buckle, a policeman who instills safety tips to his students. When his dog pal Gloria steals the spotlight during school assemblies, Officer Buckle believes the students are not cheering for his safety tips, but rather, for Gloria’s tricks. When Gloria is up on stage alone, she is lonely and realizes she is better with Officer Buckle up there with her. This leads Officer Buckle to discover his 101^st safety tip: “always stick with your buddy!”

Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey

This Caldecott winner tells the story of a little girl named Sal who is helping her mother pick blueberries on the hill. Her mother encourages her to go off and pick her own blueberries, just as a momma bear encourages her baby bear to go find as many blueberries as he can to stock up for the winter. Each child gets separated from his/her mother until their mothers eventually come and find them, taking them back to their own homes.

Mirette on the Highwire by Emily Arnold McCully

Caldecott Medal winner. This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of a young girl named Mirette who helps her mother at the hotel they run in Paris. When a shy and mysterious guest named Bellini starts to walk across a highwire, Mirette is intrigued and begs him to teach her his talent. Once she teaches herself how to walk the highwire, she shows Bellini her talents, only to learn he is a famous highwire walker. In the end, Bellini comes to see Mirette’s talents and decides to take her on tour with him.