Randolph Caldecott Award Winning and Honored Books

The Caldecott Medal

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 ▶).


One Book Recieved The Caldecott Award or Honor in 1988

Honor Book – John Steptoe

Click for a larger image of Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale

Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale
by John Steptoe, Illustrated by John Steptoe

Publication Date: Jul 01, 2008
List Price: $9.50
Format: Paperback, 32 pages
Classification: Fiction
Target Age Group: Picture Book
ISBN13: 9780140559460
Imprint: Puffin Books
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Parent Company: Bertelsmann

Read a Description of Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale


Book Description: 

This is the tale of Mufaro’s two daughters, two beautiful girls who react in different ways to the king’s search for a wife - one is aggressive and selfish, the other kind and dignified. The king takes on disguises to learn the true nature of both girls and of course chooses Nyasha, the kind and generous daughter, to be his queen.

While all of Mr. Steptoe’s work deals with aspects of the African American experience, Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughter was acknowledged by reviewers and critics as a breakthrough. Based on an African tale recorded in the 19th century, it required Mr. Steptoe for the first time to research African history and culture, awakening his pride in his African ancestry. Mr. Steptoe hoped that his books would lead children, especially African American children, to feel pride in their origins and in who they are.