Randolph Caldecott Award Winning and Honored Books
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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 the Caldecott Medal Home Page.
Below are the Caldecott Medal 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 Received The Caldecott Award or Honor in 2025
My Daddy Is a Cowboy: A Picture Book
by Stephanie Seales, Illustrated by C. G. Esperanza
A Caldecott Honor Book and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Book.
A young girl and her father share an early morning horseback ride around their city in My Daddy Is a Cowboy, an award-winning picture book celebration of “just-us time,” with 6 starred reviews, including praise such as gorgeous, must-have, exuberant, immersive, and magical.
In the early hours before dawn, a young girl and her father greet their horses and ride together through the waking city streets. As they trot along, Daddy tells cowboy stories filled with fun and community, friendship, discovery, and pride.
Seeing her city from a new vantage point and feeling seen in a new way, the child discovers that she too is a cowboy—strong and confident in who she is.
Thoughtfully and lyrically written by debut author Stephanie Seales, with vibrant illustrations from award-winning artist C. G. Esperanza, this beautiful picture book is a celebration of Black joy, outdoor play, and quality time spent between child and parent.
Tall. High as the clouds.
Strong as a horse’s back.
Like a cowboy.