Caldecott Honor

2007

Gone Wild: An Endangered Animal Alphabet by David McLimans (Walker)

Presents the alphabet in capital letters designed to look like endangered animals, and lists facts on each species, covering their habitats, geographic ranges, threats to survival, and statuses.

2007

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom illustrated by Kadir Nelson, written by Carole Boston Weatherford (Hyperion/Jump at the Sun)

Describes Tubman’s spiritual journey as she hears the voice of God guiding her north to freedom on that very first trip to escape the brutal practice of forced servitude. Tubman would make nineteen subsequent trips back south, never being caught, but none as profound as this first one.

2006

Rosa illustrated by Bryan Collier and written by Nikki Giovanni (Henry Holt and Company)

A retelling of Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat on a bus to a white man. On December 1, 1955. Mrs. Parks' quiet determination changed race relations in the U.S. forever.

2006

Zen Shorts illustrated and written by Jon J. Muth (Scholastic Press)

When Stillwater the bear moves into the neighborhood, he tells short Zen and Taoist stories to three siblings to teach them to look at the world in new ways.

2006

Hot Air: The (Mostly) True Story of the First Hot-Air Balloon Ride illustrated and written by Marjorie Priceman. (An Anne Schwartz Book from Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Simon & Schuster)

The first "manned" hot-air balloon is about to take off! But what are those noises coming form the basket? The first hot air balloon took off at the palace of Versailles in France. In the basket were a rooster, a sheep and a duck, and here is an idea of what their adventures might have been.

2006

Song of the Water Boatman and Other Pond Poems illustrated by Beckie Prange, written by Joyce Sidman (Houghton Mifflin Company)

A collection of poems that provide a look at some of the animals, insects, and plants that are found in ponds, with accompanying information about each.

2005

The Red Book Barbara Lehman (Houghton Mifflin Company)

A book about a book, a magical red book, that transports its readers to places with new friends.

2005

Coming on Home Soon illustrated by E.B. Lewis , written Jacqueline Woodson (G.P. Putnam's Son's/Penguin Young Readers Group)

After Mama takes a job in Chicago during World War II, Ada Ruth stays with Grandma but misses her mother who loves her more than rain and snow.

2005

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale illustrated and written by Mo Willems. (Hyperion Books for Children)

A trip to the laundromat leads to a momentous occasion when Trixie, too young to speak words, realizes that something important is missing and struggles to explain the problem to her father.

2004

Ella Sarah Gets Dressed by Margaret Chodos-Irvine (Harcourt, Inc.)

Despite the advice of others in her family, Ella Sarah persists in wearing the striking and unusual outfit of her own choosing.

2004

What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? illustrated and written by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page. (Houghton Mifflin Company)

Animals can do amazing things with their ears, eyes, mouths, noses, feet, and tails. Some of the skills are highlighted in this interactive guessing book. What bird has blue feet and what does he do with them that's special?

2004

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems. (Hyperion)

No matter how hard he pleads and begs, the pigeon is not supposed to drive the bus while the driver is away, but pigeon tries every persuasive trick a young child knows to get you to say, "Yes".

2003

The Spider and the Fly illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi, written by Mary Howitt (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)

An illustrated version of the well-known poem about a wily spider who preys on the vanity and innocence of a little fly.

2003

Hondo & Fabian by Peter McCarty (Henry Holt & Co.)

Hondo the dog gets to go to the beach and play with his friend Fred, while Fabian the cat spends the day at home.

2003

Noah's Ark by Jerry Pinkney (SeaStar Books, a division of North-South Books Inc.)

Retells the biblical story of the great flood and how Noah and his family faithfully responded to God's call to save life on earth.

2002

The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins illustrated by Brian Selznick, written by Barbara Kerley (Scholastic)

The true story of Victorian artist Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins, who built life-sized models of dinosaurs in the hope of educating the world about what these awe-inspiring ancient animals and what they were like.

2002

Martin's Big Words: the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. illustrated by Bryan Collier, written by Doreen Rappaport (Jump at the Sun/Hyperion)

A picture of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. life and involvement in the Civil Rights movement with the policy of non-violence along with quotes from his life as a preacher and politician.

2002

The Stray Dog by Marc Simont (HarperCollins)

A family befriends a stray dog, names him Willy, and decides to keep him.

2001

Casey at the Bat illustrated by Christopher Bing, written by Ernest Thayer (Handprint)

In Mudville, the score at a baseball game in the last inning was four to two in the opposition's favor when Casey comes to bat.

2001

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type illustrated by Betsy Lewin, written by Doreen Cronin (Simon & Schuster)

When Farmer Brown's cows find a typewriter in the barn they start making demands, and go on strike when the farmer refuses to give them what they want.

2001

Olivia by Ian Falconer (Atheneum)

Whether at home getting ready for the day, enjoying the beach, or at bedtime, Olivia is a feisty pig who has too much energy for her own good.

2000

A Child's Calendar illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman; Text: John Updike (Holiday House)

A collection of twelve poems describing the activities in a child's life and the changes in the weather as the year moves from January to December.

2000

Sector 7 by David Wiesner (Clarion Books)

While on a school trip to the Empire State Building, a boy is taken by a friendly cloud to visit Sector 7, where he discovers how clouds are shaped and channeled throughout the country.

2000

When Sophie Gets Angry-Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang (Scholastic)

A young girl is upset and doesn't know how to manage her anger but takes the time to cool off and regain her composure.

2000

The Ugly Duckling illustrated by Jerry Pinkney; Text: Hans Christian Andersen, adapted by Jerry Pinkney (Morrow)

An ugly duckling spends an unhappy year ostracized by the other animals before he grows into a beautiful swan.

1999

Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and the Orchestra illustrated by Brian Pinkney; Text: Andrea Davis Pinkney(Hyperion)

A brief recounting of the career of this jazz musician and composer who, along with his orchestra, created music that was beyond category.

1999

No, David! by David Shannon (Scholastic)

A young boy is depicted doing a variety of naughty things for which he is repeatedly admonished, but finally he gets a hug.

1999

Snow by Uri Shulevitz (Farrar)

As snowflakes slowly come down, one by one, people in the city ignore them, and only a boy and his dog think that the snowfall will amount to anything.

1999

Tibet Through the Red Box by Peter Sis (Frances Foster)

In the red box, Peter Sís finds his father's diary, kept when he was lost in Tibet in the mid-1950s. Reading the diary, Sís becomes the accidental traveler in Tibet, remembers his father's stories from childhood, and his own longing for his father's return.

1998

The Gardener illustrated by David Small; Text: Sarah Stewart (Farrar)

A series of letters relating what happens when, after her father loses his job, Lydia Grace goes to live with her Uncle Jim in the city but takes her love for gardening with her.

1998

Harlem illustrated by Christopher Myers; Text: Walter Dean Myers (Scholastic)

A poem celebrating the people, sights, and sounds of Harlem.

1998

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly by Simms Taback (Viking)

Presents the traditional song with illustrations on die-cut pages that reveal all that the old lady swallows.

1997

Hush! A Thai Lullaby illustrated by Holly Meade; text: Minfong Ho (Melanie Kroupa/Orchard Books)

A lullaby which asks animals such as a lizard, monkey, and water-buffalo to be quiet and not disturb the sleeping baby.

1997

The Graphic Alphabet by David Pelletier (Orchard Books)

An elegant alphabet in dramatic colors and distinctive perspectives.

1997

The Paperboy by Dav Pilkey (Richard Jackson/Orchard Books)

A paperboy and his dog enjoy the quiet of the early morning as they go about their rounds.

1997

Starry Messenger by Peter Sís (Frances Foster Books/Farrar Straus Giroux)

Describes the life and work of the courageous man who changed the way people saw the galaxy, by offering objective evidence that the earth was not the fixed center of the universe.

1996

Alphabet City by Stephen T. Johnson (Viking)

Photographs of objects in an urban setting present the letters of the alphabet.

1996

Zin! Zin! Zin! a Violin, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman; text: Lloyd Moss (Simon & Schuster)

Ten instruments take their parts one by one in a musical performance.

1996

The Faithful Friend, illustrated by Brian Pinkney; text: Robert D. San Souci (Simon & Schuster)

A retelling of the traditional tale from the French West Indies in which two friends, Clement and Hippolyte, encounter love, zombies, and danger on the island of Martinique.

1996

Tops & Bottoms, adapted and illustrated by Janet Stevens (Harcourt)

Hare turns his bad luck around by striking a clever deal with the rich and lazy bear down the road.

1995

John Henry, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney; text: Julius Lester (Dial)

Retells the life of the legendary African American hero who raced against a steam drill to cut through a mountain.

1995

Swamp Angel, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky; text: Anne Issacs (Dutton)

Along with other amazing feats, Angelica Longrider, also known as Swamp Angel, wrestles a huge bear, known as Thundering Tarnation, to save the winter supplies of the settlers in Tennessee.

1995

Time Flies by Eric Rohmann (Crown)

A wordless tale in which a bird flying around the dinosaur exhibit in a museum has an unsettling experience when it finds itself back in the time of living dinosaurs.

1994

Peppe the Lamplighter, illustrated by Ted Lewin; text: Elisa Bartone (Lothrop)

Peppe's father is upset when he learns that Peppe has taken a job lighting the gas street lamps in his New York City neighborhood.

1994

In the Small, Small Pond by Denise Fleming (Holt)

Illustrations and rhyming text describe the activities of animals living in and near a small pond as spring progresses to autumn.

1994

Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest by Gerald McDermott (Harcourt)

Raven, a Pacific Coast Indian trickster, sets out to find the sun.

1994

Owen by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow)

Owen's parents try to get him to give up his favorite blanket before he starts school, but when their efforts fail, they come up with a solution that makes everyone happy.

1994

Yo! Yes? illustrated by Chris Raschka; text: edited by Richard Jackson (Orchard)

Two lonely characters, one black and one white, meet on the street and become friends.

1993

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, illustrated by Lane Smith; text: Jon Scieszka (Viking)

Madcap revisions of familiar fairy tales.

1993

Seven Blind Mice by Ed Young (Philomel Books)

Retells in verse the Indian fable of the blind men discovering different parts of an elephant and arguing about its appearance. The illustrations depict the blind arguers as mice.

1993

Working Cotton, illustrated by Carole Byard; text: Sherley Anne Williams (Harcourt)

A young black girl relates the daily events of her family's migrant life in the cotton fields of central California.

1992

Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold (Crown Publishers, Inc., a Random House Co.)

A young girl dreams of flying above her Harlem home, claiming all she sees for herself and her family. Based on the author's quilt painting of the same name.

1991

Puss in Boots, illustrated by Fred Marcellino; text: Charles Perrault, trans. by Malcolm Arthur (Di Capua/Farrar)

A retelling of the French fairy tale in which a clever cat wins his master a fortune and the hand of a princess

1991

"More More More," Said the Baby: Three Love Stories by Vera B. Williams (Greenwillow)

Three babies are caught up in the air and given loving attention by a father, grandmother, and mother.

1990

Bill Peet: An Autobiography by Bill Peet (Houghton)

The well-known author and illustrator relates the story of his life and work.

1990

Color Zoo by Lois Ehlert (Lippincott)

Introduces colors and shapes with illustrations of shapes on die-cut pages that form animal faces when placed on top of one another.

1990

The Talking Eggs: A Folktale from the American South, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney; text: Robert D. San Souci (Dial)

A Southern folktale in which kind Blanche, following the instructions of an old witch, gains riches, while her greedy sister makes fun of the old woman and is duly rewarded.

1990

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman; text: Eric Kimmel (Holiday House)

Relates how Hershel outwits the goblins that haunt the old synagogue and prevent the village people from celebrating Hanukkah.

1989

The Boy of the Three-Year Nap, illustrated by Allen Say; text: Diane Snyder (Houghton)

A poor Japanese woman maneuvers events to change the lazy habits of her son.

1989

Free Fall by David Wiesner (Lothrop)

A young boy dreams of daring adventures in the company of imaginary creatures inspired by the things surrounding his bed.

1989

Goldilocks and the Three Bears by James Marshall (Dial)

Three bears return home from a walk to find a little girl asleep in baby bear's bed.

1989

Mirandy and Brother Wind, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney; text: Patricia C. McKissack (Knopf)

To win first prize in the Junior Cakewalk, Mirandy tries to capture the wind for her partner.

1988

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale by John Steptoe (Lothrop)

Mufaro's two beautiful daughters, one bad-tempered, one kind and sweet, go before the king, who is choosing a wife.

1987

The Village of Round and Square Houses by Ann Grifalconi (Little, Brown)

A grandmother explains to her listeners why in their village on the side of a volcano the men live in square houses and the women in round ones.

1987

Alphabatics by Suse MacDonald (Bradbury)

The letters of the alphabet are transformed and incorporated into twenty-six illustrations, so that the hole in "b" becomes a balloon and "y" turns into the head of a yak.

1987

Rumpelstiltskin by Paul O. Zelinsky (Dutton)

A strange little man helps the miller's daughter spin straw into gold for the king on the condition that she will give him her first-born child.

1986

The Relatives Came, illustrated by Stephen Gammell; text: Cynthia Rylant (Bradbury)

The relatives come to visit from Virginia and everyone has a wonderful time.

1986

King Bidgood's in the Bathtub, illustrated by Don Wood; text: Audrey Wood (Harcourt)

Despite pleas from his court, a fun-loving king refuses to get out of his bathtub to rule his kingdom

1985

Hansel and Gretel, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky; text: retold by Rika Lesser (Dodd)

A poor woodcutter's children, lost in the forest, come upon a house made of bread, cakes, and candy, occupied by a wicked witch who likes to have children for dinner.

1985

Have You Seen My Duckling? by Nancy Tafuri (Greenwillow)

A mother duck leads her brood around the pond as she searches for one missing duckling.

1985

The Story of Jumping Mouse: A Native American Legend, retold and illustrated by John Steptoe (Lothrop)

The gifts of Magic Frog and his own hopeful and unselfish spirit bring Jumping Mouse finally to the Far-Off Land where no mouse goes hungry.

1984

Little Red Riding Hood, retold and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman (Holiday)

On her way to deliver a basket of food to her sick grandmother, Elisabeth encounters a sly wolf

1984

Ten, Nine, Eight by Molly Bang (Greenwillow)

Numbers from ten to one are part of this lullaby which observes the room of a little girl going to bed.

1983

A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams (Greenwillow)

A child, her waitress mother, and her grandmother save dimes to buy a comfortable armchair after all their furniture is lost in a fire.

1983

When I Was Young in the Mountains, illustrated by Diane Goode; text: Cynthia Rylant (Dutton)

Reminiscences of the pleasures of life in the mountains as a child.

1982

Where the Buffaloes Begin, illustrated by Stephen Gammell; text: Olaf Baker (Warne)

After hearing the legend retold by the tribe's oldest member, Little Wolf hopes to someday witness the beginning of the buffaloes at the sacred lake.

1982

On Market Street, illustrated by Anita Lobel; text: Arnold Lobel (Greenwillow)

A child buys presents from A to Z in the shops along Market Street.

1982

Outside Over There by Maurice Sendak (Harper)

With Papa off to sea and Mama despondent, Ida must go outside over there to rescue her baby sister from goblins who steal her to be a goblin's bride.

1982

A Visit to William Blake's Inn: Poems for Innocent and Experienced Travelers, illustrated by Alice & Martin Provensen; text: Nancy Willard (Harcourt)

A collection of poems describing the curious menagerie of guests and residents, human and animal, at William Blake’s inn.

1981

The Bremen-Town Musicians, retold and illustrated by Ilse Plume (Doubleday)

A retelling of the Grimm tale in which an old donkey, dog, cat, and rooster, no longer wanted by their masters, set out for Bremen to become musicians.

1981

The Grey Lady and the Strawberry Snatcher by Molly Bang (Four Winds)

In this story without words, an old woman is pursued by a strange man with a passion for strawberries.

1981

Mice Twice by Joseph Low (McElderry/Atheneum)

A round of uneasy hospitality results when Mouse and Dog arrive at Cat's house for dinner.

1981

Truck by Donald Crews (Greenwillow)

Follows the journey of a truck from loading to unloading.

1980

Ben's Trumpet by Rachel Isadora (Greenwillow)

Ben wants to be a trumpeter, but plays only an imaginary instrument until one of the musicians in a neighborhood night club discovers his ambition.

1980

The Garden Of Abdul Gasazi by Chris Van Allsburg (Houghton)

When the dog he is caring for runs away from Alan into the forbidden garden of a retired dog-hating magician, a spell seems to be cast over the contrary dog.

1980

The Treasure by Uri Shulevitz (Farrar)

A retelling of the traditional English tale in which a poor man follows the advice of his dream and is eventually led to a treasure.

1979

Freight Train by Donald Crews (Greenwillow)

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

1979

The Way to Start a Day, illustrated by Peter Parnall; text: Byrd Baylor (Scribner)

Text and illustrations describe how people all over the world celebrate the sunrise.

1978

Castle by David Macaulay (Houghton)

Text and detailed drawings follow the planning and construction of a "typical" castle and adjoining town in thirteenth-century Wales.

1978

It Could Always Be Worse, retold and illustrated by Margot Zemach (Farrar)

Unable to stand his overcrowded and noisy home any longer, a poor man goes to the Rabbi for advice.

1977

The Amazing Bone by William Steig (Farrar)

On her way home from school, Pearl finds an unusual bone that has unexpected powers.

1977

The Contest, retold and illustrated by Nonny Hogrogian (Greenwillow)

An Armenian folktale about two robbers courting the same girl.

1977

Fish for Supper by M. B. Goffstein (Dial)

Describes Grandmother's typical day of fishing.

1977

The Golem: A Jewish Legend by Beverly Brodsky McDermott (Lippincott)

A retelling of the Jewish legend of the golem created by Rabbi Lev to protect the Jews of Prague from the angry mob.

1977

Hawk, I'm Your Brother, illustrated by Peter Parnall; text: Byrd Baylor (Scribner)

Determined to learn to fly, Rudy adopts a hawk hoping that their kinship will bring him closer to his goal.

1976

The Desert is Theirs, illustrated by Peter Parnall; text: Byrd Baylor (Scribner)

Simple text and illustrations describe the characteristics of the desert and its plant, animal, and human life.

1976

Strega Nona by Tomie de Paola (Prentice-Hall)

When Strega Nona leaves him alone with her magic pasta pot, Big Anthony is determined to show the townspeople how it works.

1975

Jambo Means Hello: A Swahili Alphabet Book, illustrated by Tom Feelings; text: Muriel Feelings (Dial)

Presents a word, with English translation, for each of the twenty-four letters in the Swahili alphabet. Brief explanation of each word introduces an East African custom.

1974

Three Jovial Huntsmen by Susan Jeffers (Bradbury)

Despite the many animals in the forest, three hunters see only a ship, a house, and a pincushion and find nothing to shoot.

1974

Cathedral by David Macaulay (Houghton)

Text and detailed drawings follow the planning and construction of a magnificent Gothic cathedral in the imaginary French town of Chutreaux during the thirteenth century.

1973

Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti, adapted and illustrated by Gerald McDermott (Holt)

In trying to determine which of his six sons to reward for saving his life, Anansi the Spider is responsible for placing the moon in the sky.

1973

Hosie's Alphabet, illustrated by Leonard Baskin; text: Hosea, Tobias & Lisa Baskin (Viking)

A full-page illustration of a creature for each letter of the alphabet, including a bumptious baboon, furious fly, ghastly garrulous gargoyle, and quintessential quail.

1973

Snow-White and the Seven Dwarfs, illustrated by Nancy Ekholm Burkert; text: translated by Randall Jarrell, retold from the Brothers Grimm (Farrar)

The princess is befriended by the seven dwarfs and finds happiness in spite of her wicked stepmother.

1973

When Clay Sings, illustrated by Tom Bahti; text: Byrd Baylor (Scribner)

The daily life and customs of prehistoric southwest Indian tribes are retraced from the designs on the remains of their pottery.

1972

Hildilid's Night, illustrated by Arnold Lobel; text: Cheli Durán Ryan (Macmillan)

An old lady who hates everything about night tries all sorts of methods to chase it away.

1972

If All the Seas Were One Sea by Janina Domanska (Macmillan)

Speculates on what would happen if all the world's trees were one tree and all the world's seas were one sea.

1972

Moja Means One: Swahili Counting Book, illustrated by Tom Feelings; text: Muriel Feelings (Dial)

The numbers one through ten in Swahili accompany two-page illustrations of various aspects of East African life.

1971

The Angry Moon, illustrated by Blair Lent; text: retold by William Sleator (Atlantic)

An Indian girl insults the moon and is held prisoner by him until her friend reaches the sky country to rescue her.

1971

Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel (Harper)

Five tales recounting the adventures of two best friends - Frog and Toad.

1971

In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak (Harper)

A little boy's dream-fantasy in which he helps three fat bakers get milk for their cake batter.

1970

Goggles! by Ezra Jack Keats (Macmillan)

Two boys must outsmart the neighborhood bullies before they can enjoy their new treasure, a pair of lensless motorcycle goggles.

1970

Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse by Leo Lionni (Pantheon)

Alexander, the mouse, makes friends with Willy, a toy mouse, and wants to be just like him until he discovers that Willy is to be thrown away.

1970

Pop Corn & Ma Goodness, illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker; text: Edna Mitchell Preston (Viking)

A verse tale of how Pop Corn and Ma Goodness met, married, built a house, and had a family.

1970

Thy Friend, Obadiah by Brinton Turkle (Viking)

A seagull befriends a Quaker boy, much to his embarrassment, and it is not until he has helped the bird that he can accept its friendship.

1970

The Judge: An Untrue Tale, illustrated by Margot Zemach; text: Harve Zemach (Farrar)

A skeptical judge discovers that the five people he had put in jail were telling the truth after all.

1969

Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky, illustrated by Blair Lent; text: Elphinstone Dayrell (Houghton)

An African folktale tells how the sun and water once lived on earth as friends, but because the sun failed to build his house large enough, he and his wife, the moon, were driven into the sky when the water came to visit them.

1968

Frederick by Leo Lionni (Pantheon)

While Frederick the field mouse sat on the wall his brothers gathered food for the winter. Although they accused him of not doing his share of the work, when the food ran out Frederick saved the day with what he had gathered.

1968

Seashore Story by Taro Yashima (Viking)

Children hear an old Japanese story about a fisherman who rode on a turtle's back to a beautiful place under the sea, and then ask questions about the story.

1968

The Emperor and the Kite, illustrated by Ed Young; text: Jane Yolen (World)

When the emperor is imprisoned in a high tower, his smallest daughter, whom he has always ignored, uses her kite to save him.

1967

One Wide River to Cross, illustrated by Ed Emberley; text: adapted by Barbara Emberley (Prentice-Hall)

Woodcut illustrations and brief text from an American folk song relate the story of the animals on Noah's ark.

1966

Hide and Seek Fog, illustrated by Roger Duvoisin; text: Alvin Tresselt (Lothrop)

A fog rolls in from the sea for three days and only the children enjoy it.

1966

Just Me by Marie Hall Ets (Viking)

A little boy imitates his many animal friends, but finds out that it is more fun just being himself.

1966

Tom Tit Tot, retold and illustrated by Evaline Ness (Scribner)

A variation of the story of Rumpelstiltskin, the scheming small creature who strikes a devilish bargain with a dull-witted country girl.

1965

Rain Makes Applesauce, illustrated by Marvin Bileck; text: Julian Scheer (Holiday)

Nonsense verse about many subjects.

1965

The Wave, illustrated by Blair Lent; text: Margaret Hodges (Houghton)

There seems no way to save four hundred villagers from imminent and unsuspecting death; then the wise old man high on the mountain knows what he must do.

1965

A Pocketful of Cricket, illustrated by Evaline Ness; text: Rebecca Caudill (Holt)

Jay, a young farm boy, finds a cricket and puts it in his pocket. He makes a home for Cricket and feeds him, and every night Cricket fiddles for Jay, while they wait for summer' end. On the first day of school, on a last minute impulse, Cricket goes to school in Jay's pocket.

1964

Swimmy by Leo Lionni (Pantheon)

A little black fish in a school of red fish figures out a way of protecting them all from their natural enemies.

1964

All in the Morning Early, illustrated by Evaline Ness; text: Sorche Nic Leodhas, pseud. [Leclaire Alger] (Holt)

In a retelling of an old Scottish story, a boy on his way to a mill picks up an interesting variety of followers.

1964

Mother Goose and Nursery Rhymes, illustrated by Philip Reed (Atheneum)

Gives favorite and a few less well-known rhymes from the collections of Mother Goose nursery rhymes.

1963

The Sun is a Golden Earring, illustrated by Bernarda Bryson; text: Natalia M. Belting (Holt)

Relates folklore about the heavens from many countries.

1963

Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present, illustrated by Maurice Sendak; text: Charlotte Zolotow (Harper)

Mr. Rabbit tries to help a little girl decide on the perfect birthday gift for her mother and together they finally do find the perfect gift.

1962

Fox Went out on a Chilly Night: An Old Song by Peter Spier (Doubleday)

Mr. Fox runs through the New England countryside at night, fetching a good meal for his family from the farmer's barnyard.

1962

Little Bear's Visit, illustrated by Maurice Sendak; text: Else H. Minarik (Harper)

Little Bear enjoys a visit with his grandparents.

1962

The Day We Saw the Sun Come Up, illustrated by Adrienne Adams; text: Alice E. Goudey (Scribner)

A sister and brother get up while it's still dark to see the sunrise for the first time. Their mother tells them about the earth's rotation.

1961

Inch by Inch, by Leo Lionni (Obolensky)

To keep from being eaten, an inchworm measures a robin's tail, a flamingo's neck, a toucan's beak, a heron's legs, and a nightingale's song.

1960

Houses from the Sea, illustrated by Adrienne Adams; text: Alice E. Goudey (Scribner)

On one day waves ran up to meet two children and left seashells lying on the beach. Shells found this day are the beginning of a collection. At the end of the book are two pages showing the shells arranged and labeled, and there are also two pages telling how shells are made.

1960

The Moon Jumpers, illustrated by Maurice Sendak; text: Janice May Udry (Harper)

Four children play in the moonlight before bedtime on a soft summer night.

1959

The House that Jack Built: La Maison Que Jacques A Batie by Antonio Frasconi (Harcourt)

A cumulative rhyme in French and English relating the chain of events that started when Jack built a house.

1959

What Do You Say, Dear? illustrated by Maurice Sendak; text: Sesyle Joslin (W. R. Scott)

Uses exotic and humorous examples to present guidelines for handling the social situations children must commonly cope with.

1959

Umbrella by Taro Yashima (Viking)

Momo eagerly waits for a rainy day so she can use the red boots and umbrella she received on her third birthday.

1958

Fly High, Fly Low by Don Freeman (Viking)

Sid and Midge, a pair of pigeons in San Francisco, face disaster one day while Sid is out getting breakfast. Scenes of San Francisco create background for the story.

1958

Anatole and the Cat, illustrated by Paul Galdone; text: Eve Titus (McGraw-Hill)

Anatole is a cheese-taster at the Duval cheese factory. When a cat prowls the building, Anatole cannot do his job properly, and must find a way to avoid the cat or leave his job.

1957

Mr. Penny's Race Horse by Marie Hall Ets (Viking)

When Mr. Penny and his animal family go to the village fair, the animals' mischief is almost their downfall until Limpy the horse runs in the race and saves the day.

1957

1 is One by Tasha Tudor (Walck)

Each of the numbers one through twenty is illustrated by the author, who also wrote couplets linking every two numbers in succession.

1957

Anatole, illustrated by Paul Galdone; text: Eve Titus (McGraw-Hill)

Anatole, a mouse, brings honor to a cheese factory in Paris when he secretly grades the cheese he tastes.

1957

Gillespie and the Guards, illustrated by James Daugherty; text: Benjamin Elkin (Viking)

The king offers a prize to anyone who can fool his sharp-sighted guards.

1957

Lion by William Pène du Bois (Viking)

In an animal factory high in the clouds, winged artists invent new animals. One day, an out-of-practice artist tries to invent a lion, with mixed results.

1956

Play With Me, by Marie Hall Ets (Viking)

A little girl goes to the meadow to play, but each animal she tries to catch runs away from her--until she sits still by the pond, and they all come back.

1956

Crow Boy by Taro Yashima (Viking)

The story of a strange shy little boy in a Japanese village school who was ignored by his classmates until suddenly and almost too late, a new teacher showed them that Crow Boy had much to offer.

1955

Book of Nursery and Mother Goose Rhymes, illustrated by Marguerite de Angeli (Doubleday)

Familiar rhymes with de Angeli’s special view.

1955

Wheel On The Chimney, illustrated by Tibor Gergely; text: Margaret Wise Brown (Lippincott)

A pair of storks raise their young on a rooftop in Hungary and then join other storks as they migrate from Europe to Africa for the winter.

1955

The Thanksgiving Story, illustrated by Helen Sewell; text: Alice Dalgliesh (Scribner)

Tells the story of how the Pilgrims came to America and why they held the first Thanksgiving celebration.

1954

Journey Cake, Ho! illustrated by Robert McCloskey; text: Ruth Sawyer (Viking)

Johnny is leaving the farm because of hard times when his Journey Cake leads him on a merry chase that results in a farm yard full of animals and the family all together again.

1954

When Will the World Be Mine? illustrated by Jean Charlot; text: Miriam Schlein (W. R. Scott)

The story of a little snowshoe rabbit who learns about his world, how to enjoy it and how to live in it.

1954

The Steadfast Tin Soldier, illustrated by Marcia Brown; text: Hans Christian Andersen, translated by M. R. James (Scribner)

Retells the perilous adventures of a one-legged toy soldier in love with a paper-doll ballet dancer.

1954

A Very Special House, illustrated by Maurice Sendak; text: Ruth Krauss (Harper)

The little boy of this story knows just what a very special house should be. It would have a bed to bounce on, a table "very special where to put your feet" and it would be a place to bring friends -- a lion, a giant, some monkeys. Best of all, it would always suggest "MORE and be a place where "NOBODY ever says stop."

1954

Green Eyes by A. Birnbaum (Capitol)

A cat recalls favorite experiences from each season of its first year of life, from struggling to get out of its cozy box in the spring, to snuggling by the radiator in the cold of winter.

1953

Puss in Boots, illustrated by Marcia Brown; text: translated from Charles Perrault by Marcia Brown (Scribner)

The tale of a sly cat who wins for his master the lordship of a manor and the hand of a princess.

1953

One Morning in Maine by Robert McCloskey (Viking)

It's a big day for a little girl when she discovers her first loose tooth and makes a trip to the grocery store on the mainland.

1953

Ape in a Cape: An Alphabet of Odd Animals by Fritz Eichenberg (Harcourt)

An assortment of animals introduce the letters of the alphabet.

1953

The Storm Book, illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham; text: Charlotte Zolotow (Harper)

Pictures and text portray what happens during a thunderstorm in the countryside, city, and at the seashore.

1953

Five Little Monkeys by Juliet Kepes (Houghton)

The story of five mischievous little monkeys who played tricks on all the animals in the jungle except Tiger the Terrible.

1952

Mr. T. W. Anthony Woo by Marie Hall Ets (Viking)

A cat, a dog, and a mouse live together as enemies with a philosophical cobbler, but they become friends when they work together to rid their home of the cobbler's fussy sister and her silly talking parrot.

1952

Skipper John's Cook by Marcia Brown (Scribner)

When the skipper of the Liberty Belle and his crew get tired of eating beans, they hire a cook who surprises them with his cooking.

1952

All Falling Down, illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham; text: Gene Zion (Harper)

Show what effects gravity has on everything from flowers to people.

1952

Bear Party by William Pène du Bois (Viking)

In Koala Park, all the koalas get angry with one another and stay that way until a wise old bear comes up with a solution.

1952

Feather Mountain by Elizabeth Olds (Houghton)

A long time ago, the birds had no feathers and always remained naked and pink. Then the big, strong turkey buzzard flew to Feather Mountain to get feathers of every color and size to bring back for all the birds.

1951

Dick Whittington and his Cat by Marcia Brown (Scribner)

Retells the legend of the poor boy in medieval England who trades his beloved cat for a fortune in gold and jewels and eventually becomes Lord Mayor of London.

1951

The Two Reds, ill. by Nicolas, pseud. (Nicholas Mordvinoff); text: Will, pseud. [William Lipkind] (Harcourt)

The two Reds in the story are a red headed boy whose real name is Joey and a red cat who become friends after Red the cat saves Red the boy from the Seventh Street gang.

1951

If I Ran the Zoo by Dr. Seuss, pseud. [Theodor Seuss Geisel] (Random House)

If Gerald McGrew ran the zoo, he'd let all the animals go and fill it with more unusual beasts--a ten-footed lion, an Elephant-Cat, a Mulligatawny, a Tufted Mazurka, and others.

1951

The Most Wonderful Doll in the World, illustrated by Helen Stone; text: Phyllis McGinley (Lippincott)

The memory of the doll Dulcy lost becomes more wonderful and exaggerated each time she talks about it.

1951

T-Bone, the Baby Sitter by Clare Turlay Newberry (Harper)

When T-Bone gets into trouble and is sent to the farm, everyone realizes just how important his babysitting work really was.

1950

America's Ethan Allen, illustrated by Lynd Ward; text: Stewart Holbrook (Houghton)

A biography of the patriot and soldier who led the Green Mountain Boys in the capture of Fort Ticonderoga from the British in 1775.

1950

The Wild Birthday Cake, illustrated by Hildegard Woodward; text: Lavinia R. Davis (Doubleday)

While worrying about what to take to an elderly friend's birthday party, Johnny discovers a beautiful, injured, wild duck.

1950

The Happy Day, illustrated by Marc Simont; text: Ruth Krauss) (Harper)

Tells about the joy a group of wild animals experience when the first flower breaks through the snow.

1950

Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss, pseud. [Theodor Seuss Geisel] (Random House)

The King, tired of rain, snow, sun, and fog, commands his magicians to make something else come down from the sky, but when oobleck falls, in sticky greenish droplets, Bartholomew Cubbins shames the King and saves the kingdom.

1950

Henry Fisherman by Marcia Brown

Henry wants to be a fisherman more than anything else in the world, and his first day on board his father's boat, he proves he will be.

1949

Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey (Viking)

Little Sal and Little Bear both lose their mothers while eating blueberries and almost end up with the other's mother.

1949

All Around the Town, illustrated by Helen Stone; text: Phyllis McGinley (Lippincott)

An alphabet book in rhyme of the many sights to be seen in a city.

1949

Juanita by Leo Politi (Scribner)

Juanita receives a dove for her fourth birthday and takes him to the Old Mission Church for the blessing of the animals.

1949

Fish in the Air by Kurt Wiese (Viking)

A tale of what Tai Fung, which means Big Wind, did to change the ideas of the little Chinese boy named Fish, who had persuaded his father, Honorable Fish, to buy him the biggest fish shaped kite he could find.

1948

Stone Soup by Marcia Brown (Scribner)

When three hungry soldiers come to a town where all the food has been hidden, they set out to make soup of water and stones, and all the town enjoys a feast.

1948

McElligot's Pool by Dr. Seuss, pseud. [Theodor Seuss Geisel] (Random House)

A boy imagines the rare and wonderful fish he might catch in McElligot's pool.

1948

Bambino the Clown by Georges Schreiber (Viking)

Bambino, a little clown from Italy, and his sea lion Flapper entertain children in a big, red barn, because to be a clown means "To laugh and make everybody happy!"

1948

Roger and the Fox, illustrated by Hildegard Woodward; text: Lavinia R. Davis (Doubleday)

All during the autumn Roger tries in vain to find the fox, but his Christmas present finally provides the opportunity.

1948

Song of Robin Hood, illustrated by Virginia Lee Burton; text: edited by Anne Malcolmson (Houghton)

Covers eighteen ballads about Robin Hood. Robin Hood and Little John; Robin Hood and the stranger; Robin Hood and the tanner; Robin Hood and the Prince of Aragon; Robin Hood and the curtal friar; Robin Hood and Allen a Dale; Robin Hood and Maid Marian; Robin Hood and the bishop; Robin Hood and the butcher; Robin Hood and the bold pedlar; Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne; Robin Hood and the golden arrow; Robin Hood and the ranger; Robin Hood rescuing Will Stutly; Robin Hood and the Bishop of Hereford; Robin Hood's golden prize; Robin Hood rescuing three squires; and Robin Hood's death.

1947

Rain Drop Splash, illustrated by Leonard Weisgard; text: Alvin Tresselt (Lothrop)

Follow the rain as it travels through a pond, a brook, a lake, and a river down to the sea.

1947

Boats on the River, illustrated by Jay Hyde Barnum; text: Marjorie Flack (Viking)

A rhythmic text evoking New York City and the Hudson River in the 1940's.

1947

Timothy Turtle, illustrated by Tony Palazzo; text: Al Graham (Welch)

Timothy Turtle climbs Tookalook Hill to become famous and he does become famous--for something else entirely.

1947

Pedro, the Angel of Olvera Street by Leo Politi (Scribner)

Every Christmas on Olvera Street in Los Angeles there is a Posada procession, and this year, Pedro gets to be the angel who leads the procession.

1947

Sing in Praise: A Collection of the Best Loved Hymns, illustrated by Marjorie Torrey; text: selected by Opal Wheeler (Dutton)

Stories and pictures about the hymns with music.

1946

Little Lost Lamb, illustrated by Leonard Weisgard; text: Golden MacDonald, pseud. [Margaret Wise Brown] (Doubleday)

A little shepherd boy discovers that a lamb is missing and climbs the high mountain in the dark and cold to search for it.

1946

Sing Mother Goose, illustrated by Marjorie Torrey; music: Opal Wheeler (Dutton)

Fifty nursery rhymes set to music and fully illustrated.

1946

My Mother is the Most Beautiful Woman in the World, illustrated by Ruth Gannett; text: Becky Reyher (Lothrop)

A story based on the Russian folktale of the little girl who loses her mother and the people who help her find her mother "the most beautiful woman" in the little girl's world.

1946

You Can Write Chinese by Kurt Wiese (Viking)

Chinese syllables and words, together with picture of the objects from which they are derived, are given in this book which teaches children how to write Chinese.

1945

Mother Goose, illustrated by Tasha Tudor (Oxford University Press)

The noted artist illustrates her own selection of seventy-six traditional nursery rhymes.

1945

In the Forest by Marie Hall Ets (Viking)

The animals join a young boy as he walks through the forest blowing his new horn.

1945

Yonie Wondernose by Marguerite de Angeli (Doubleday)

A curious Amish boy who lives on the family farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, shares a wonderful secret with his father.

1945

The Christmas Anna Angel, illustrated by Kate Seredy; text: Ruth Sawyer (Viking)

Tells how Anna and Miklos prepare for Christmas in a year when supplies for holiday treats and decorations are scarce.

1944

Small Rain: Verses From The Bible, illustrated by Elizabeth Orton Jones; text: selected by Jessie Orton Jones (Viking)

Familiar psalms, prayers and other passages from the Bible are translated into illustrations to relate to common events in a small child's life.

1944

Pierre Pidgeon, illustrated by Arnold E. Bare; text: Lee Kingman (Houghton)

By doing a good deed, Pierre gets his heart's desire.

1944

The Mighty Hunter by Berta & Elmer Hader (Macmillan)

The story of a young Indian boy who wants to go hunting, but a meeting with a hungry bear causes him to think he had better go to school.

1944

A Child's Good Night Book, illustrated by Jean Charlot; text: Margaret Wise Brown (W. R. Scott)

Animals, people, and things become quiet and sleep when night comes.

1944

Good-Luck Horse, illustrated by Plato Chan; text: Chih-Yi Chan (Whittlesey)

Wah Toong's good-luck horse causes problems until he helps his master bring peace to the warring armies.

1943

Dash and Dart by Mary & Conrad Buff (Viking)

The story of twin fawns' first year of life.

1943

Marshmallow by Clare Turlay Newberry (Harper)

Displeased with the intrusion of a new baby bunny into the household, Oliver the cat considers annihilating it.

1942

An American ABC by Maud & Miska Petersham (Macmillan)

Presents an alphabet of illustrations of the American spirit from its history, biography and legends.

1942

In My Mother's House, illustrating by Velino Herrera; text: Ann Nolan Clark (Viking)

A young Tewa Indian describes the homes, customs, work, and strong communal spirit of his people.

1942

Paddle-To-The-Sea by Holling C. Holling (Houghton)

A small canoe carved by an Indian boy makes a journey from Lake Superior all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.

1942

Nothing At All, by Wanda Gág (Coward)

An invisible orphan puppy uses magic supplied by a jackdaw to make himself visible, so that he will be adopted by children and given milk and bones like his two already visible brothers.

1941

April's Kittens by Clare Turlay Newberry (Harper)

Three new kittens are too many for a one-cat apartment, but Daddy finds a solution to the problem.

1940

Cock-a-Doodle Doo by Berta & Elmer Hader (Macmillan)

A little red rooster is raised by a family of ducks but sets off to find others like him, and after many encounters with different birds and animals finally succeeds in finding a home of his own.

1940

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans (Viking)

Madeline, smallest and naughtiest of the twelve little charges of Miss Clavel, wakes up one night with an attack of appendicitis.

1940

The Ageless Story by Lauren Ford (Dodd)

Story of the boyhood of Jesus in an New England setting. Opposite each picture is printed the appropriate Gregorian music with borders and illuminated initials suggesting the color and design of books adorned in an old monastery.

1939

Andy and the Lion by James Daugherty (Viking)

In this retelling of Androcles and the Lion, Andy meets a lion on the way to school and wins his friendship for life by removing a thorn from his paw.

1939

Barkis by Clare Turlay Newberry (Harper)

James doesn't want to share his birthday puppy with his sister. Then she does him a very big favor.

1939

The Forest Pool by Laura Adams Armer (Longmans)

Two little Mexican boys and their parrot go into the deep forest to look for the iguana.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs by Wanda Gág (Coward)

Based on Schneewittchen by the Brothers Grimm, Wanda Gag retells the tale of the beautiful princess who took refuge from her wicked stepmother, the queen, in the cottage of seven dwarfs as the queen pursued her with poison apples.

1939

Wee Gillis, illustrated by Robert Lawson; text: Munro Leaf (Viking)

Wee Gillis couldn't decide whether he wanted to be a Highlander and stalk stags, like his father, or a Lowlander like his mother, and raise long-haired cows.

1938

Four and Twenty Blackbirds, illustrated by Robert Lawson; text: compiled by Helen Dean Fish (Stokes)

Collection of old nursery rhymes.

1938

Seven Simeons: A Russian Tale, retold and illustrated by Boris Artzybasheff (Viking)

A retelling of an old Russian folktale about the great King Douda and his search for a princess and how he is aided by seven brothers with remarkable abilities.