The John Newbery Medal, frequently shortened to the Newbery, is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), to the author of "the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children". The Newbery and the Caldecott Medal are considered the two most prestigious awards for children's literature in the United States. Books selected are widely carried by bookstores and libraries, the authors are interviewed on television, and master's and doctoral theses are written on them. Named for John Newbery, an 18th-century English publisher of juvenile books, the winner of the Newbery is selected at the ALA's Midwinter Conference by a fifteen-person committee. The Newbery was proposed by Frederic G. Melcher in 1921, making it the first children's book award in the world. The physical bronze medal was designed by Rene Paul Chambellan and is given to the winning author at the next ALA annual conference. Since its founding there have been several changes to the composition of the selection committee, while the physical medal remains the same.
The Randolph Caldecott Medal annually recognizes the preceding year's "most distinguished American picture book for children", beginning with 1937 publications. It is awarded to the illustrator by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). The Caldecott and Newbery Medals are the most prestigious American children's book awards.
Jerry Pinkney is an American illustrator and writer of children's books. He won the 2010 Caldecott Medal for U.S. picture book illustration for The Lion & the Mouse, a wordless version of the Aesop's fable. He also has five Caldecott Honors. He has five Coretta Scott King Awards, four New York Times Best Illustrated Awards, four Gold, and four Silver medals from the Society of Illustrators, and the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award. In 2000, he was given the Virginia Hamilton Literary award from Kent State University and in 2004 the University of Southern Mississippi Medallion for outstanding contributions in the field of children’s literature. In 2016, he received the Coretta Scott King - Virginia Hamilton Award for lifetime achievement.
Chris Raschka is an American illustrator, writer, and violist. He contributed to children's literature as a children's illustrator. He was U.S. nominee for the biennial, international Hans Christian Andersen Medal in 2012.
Brian Selznick is an American illustrator and writer best known as the writer of The Invention of Hugo Cabret (2007) and The Marvels (2015) and Wonderstruck (2011). He won the 2008 Caldecott Medal for U.S. picture book illustration recognizing The Invention of Hugo Cabret. he is also known for illustrating children's books such as the (2018) Harry Potter series.
Four and Twenty Blackbirds is a 1937 picture book of nursery rhymes collected by Helen Dean Fish and illustrated by Robert Lawson. The book is a collection of nursery rhymes which were considered older when it was published. The book was a recipient of a 1938 Caldecott Honor for its illustrations.
Seven Simeons: A Russian Tale is a 1937 picture book by Boris Artzybasheff. The story is a Russian fairy tale of seven brothers who work together to find a wife for the King. The book was a recipient of a 1938 Caldecott Honor for its illustrations.
Barkis is a 1938 picture book by Clare Turlay Newberry. The story is about a dog who does not get along with his family's cat. The book was a recipient of a 1939 Caldecott Honor for its illustrations.
Wee Gillis is a 1938 picture book by Munro Leaf and illustrated by Robert Lawson. The story is about Wee Gillis who divides his time between family in Scotland's highlands and lowlands and what happens when each wants him to choose their customs over the other. The book was a recipient of a 1939 Caldecott Honor for its illustrations.
The Agless Story is a 1939 picture book by Lauren Ford. The story is Mary and the birth and childhood of Jesus. The book was a recipient of a 1940 Caldecott Honor for its illustrations.
April's Kittens is a 1940 picture book by Clare Turlay Newberry. When April's cat has three kittens problems arise. The book was a recipient of a 1941 Caldecott Honor for its illustrations.
An American ABC is a 1941 picture book by Maud and Miska Petersham. It is an ABC book of Americana. The book was a recipient of a 1942 Caldecott Honor for its illustrations.
In My Mother's House is a 1941 picture book by Ann Nolan Clark and illustrated by Velino Herrera. A Tewa character presents his life. The book was a recipient of a 1942 Caldecott Honor for its illustrations.
Small Rain: Verses From The Bible is a 1943 picture book by James Orton Jones and illustrated by Elizabeth Orton Jones. The book has illustrated verses from the King James Bible. The book was a recipient of a 1944 Caldecott Honor for its illustrations.
A Child's Good Night Book is a 1943 picture book by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Jean Charlot. Children and animals settle down for the night. The book was a recipient of a 1944 Caldecott Honor for its illustrations.
Barkis is a 1945 picture book with music by Opal Wheeler and illustrated by Marjorie Torrey. The book contains a collection of Mother Goose Nursery rhymes set to music. The book was a recipient of a 1946 Caldecott Honor for its illustrations.
My Mother is the Most Beautiful Woman in the World is a 1945 picture book by Becky Reyher and illustrated by Ruth Stiles Gannett. A lost girl looks for her mother who is, in the girl's eyes, the most beautiful woman in the world. The book was a recipient of a 1946 Caldecott Honor for its illustrations.
Rain Drop Splash is a 1946 picture book by Alvin Tresselt and illustrated by Leonard Weisgard. The story follows a rain drop which becomes parts of ever larger bodies of water. The book was a recipient of a 1947 Caldecott Honor for its illustrations and Weisgard became the first illustrator to receive the Caldecott Medal and Honor in the same year.
Sing in Praise: A Collection of the Best Loved Hymns is a 1946 picture book edited by Opal Wheeler and illustrated by Marjorie Torrey. A selection of Christian hymns and brief profiles of their creators, the book was a recipient of a 1947 Caldecott Honor for its illustrations.
Song of Robin Hood is a 1947 picture book compiled by Anne Malcolmson, arranged musically by Grace Castagnetta and illustrated by Virginia Lee Burton. The book collects 18 ballads about Robin Hood. The book was a recipient of a 1948 Caldecott Honor for its illustrations.
