blogis librorum. A blog about books. Rare books.

 Today's Caldecott winning author has the unique distinction of being given the Caldecott medal and a Caldecott Honor for two books with vastly different styles. The Caldecott medal is given annually to children's book artists who represent some of the best art being created for children that year. Books with a wide variety of styles created in a wide variety of mediums have been honored throughout the years, but to find this dichotomy existing within the body of work of one illustrator is particularly exciting. Join us today as we take a closer look at 2003 Caldecott winner Eric Rohmann, master of both highly detailed, realistic oil painting, and silly cartoon-style prints:

The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually to an illustrator whose work on a newly published picture book represents the best of children’s book illustration currently produced. Today we feature 2004’s winning illustrator who worked not to create illustrations for children not just through picture books, but through an additional aspect of his professional life where he worked as an esteemed animator creating quality cartoons for children. Mordecai Gerstein took inspiration from real events, mythology, family history, and religion, creating books that celebrate the joyfulness of life while not shying away from the sadness that also is a part of living. Let’s take a closer look at his career and the book that embodied his philosophy in todays edition of our Caldecott Winning Illustrators Series:

The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually to the panel-determined, best-illustrated children’s book of the year. Whether that book honors traditions in a meaningful way or pushes the artistic boundaries of what is common for children’s books differs from year to year, but one can be assured that each year the winner and finalist have accomplished something special. The 2001 Caldecott Medal recipient, David Small, was awarded the medal for his fusion of political cartoons and caricatures into a delightful and educational book for children. Let’s take a closer look at Small’s career in this edition of our Caldecott Medal Winning Illustrators Series:

The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually to a children's book illustrator who has published a work of immense creativity that furthers the field of illustration within the previous year. The Caldecott Medal entered the 20^th century by honoring an illustrator who often turned to the stories and songs of the past to revamp them into fun and vibrant books for modern children. Join us today as we continue our Caldecott Medal Winning Illustrators series by taking a closer look at the winner of the 2000 Caldecott Medal: Simms Taback.

The Caldecott Medal is awarded yearly to the book that best represents the highest quality of children's book illustration, whether through innovation or skilled homage to past artistic traditions. Oftentimes, a key factor is the skill at which the illustrator designs their illustrations to further the aims of the text, something for which today's writer/illustrator is well known for. This illustrator has not only won the Caldecott Medal, but has also been a Caldecott Honor recipient an astounding three times. Join us as we take a closer look at Paul O. Zelinsky in this edition of our Caldecott Winning Illustrators Series:

The Caldecott Medal, the highest honor for children's book illustrators in America, is awarded annually to an artist whose work exemplifies the highest standard and quality in the industry. Both parents and children alike seek out these books with their shining gold medals emblazoned on the cover, knowing that what is inside is sure to be of high quality. In 1994, the Caldecott Medal was awarded to an illustrator whose dedication and skill are devoted to depicting his Japanese culture. Join us in this edition of the Caldecott Medal Winning Illustrator series as we take a look at the life and work of illustrator Allen Say:

Each year, the Caldecott Medal is awarded to an illustrator whose work represents the best in children's book illustration. 1989 winner Stephen Gammell earned this award for his charming illustrations in Katherine Ackerman's Song and Dance Man. But Gammell is interesting that while he won his award for a very particular and lovely style, he is best known for a work that evokes an entirely different feeling than the art for which he won the Caldecott Medal. Join us today in our Caldecott Medal Winning Illustrators Series as we take a closer look at the career of Stephen Gammell:

Every year, the Caldecott Medal is awarded by the Association for Library Services to Children, a division of the American Library Association. The committee reviews children's books published throughout the year and selects one book whose art exemplifies the best of American illustration. To be named winner of the Caldecott Medal is a massive achievement and often comes as a sign that the book is destined to be loved by generations of children. These distinguished books are sought after by both children and collectors, and they occupy well-loved places on numerous shelves. Continuing our ongoing Caldecott Medal Winning Illustrators Series, let's take a closer look at 1948 Winner, Roger Duvoisin.

Why is it that the books we read as children have such an impact on our lives? Is it because they offer some of the first reflections of the thoughts and experiences that we encounter early on? Is it because they grant us the opportunity to take in stories in a way that educates and entertains in a format perfectly geared toward that point in our development? Or maybe it's the way children's literature can transcend time and space. After all, even as we grow, it offers us an opportunity to connect with our histories as well as with the children who come in to our lives after we've "grown up."

The Caldecott Medal is given to one book each year that exemplifies the best work being done in children's literature. The Caldecott Medal is the highest honor for American children's books. Today we continue our Caldecott Medal Winning Illustrator Series by taking a closer look at the 1974 winner, who not only proved herself by winning this major award, but by receiving nominations for numerous other honors, such as the National Book Award, and the Hans Christian Anderson Award, for which she was nominated twice. Without further ado, the life and work of Margot Zemach: