Randolph Caldecott Award Winning and Honored Books

The Caldecott Medal, established in 1938, was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. It 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. Learn more about this award at Caldecott Medal Home Page.

Below are the Caldecott Medla winning and Honor books awarded to Black illustrators or illustrators of books featuring Black characters. In 2024, Vashti Harrison became the first Black woman to win a Caldecott Medal (read more ▶).

Select Year20242023202120202019201820172016201020082007200619991998199519931989198819791977197619751973197219701963

One Book Recieved The Caldecott Award or Honor in 1979

Honor Book – Donald Crews

Book Description: 
Brief text and illustrations trace the journey of a colorful train as it goes through tunnels, by cities, and over trestles.