The Caldecott winners are in! You’ve definitely heard of some of these books before, but some are probably new to you like they were to me. In addition to the Caldecott, a ton of other awards for picture books came out including the Coretta Scott King and the Theodor Geisel awards. Here are my favorites for the 3-6 year old crowd.
The Caldecott medal is given for the, “most distinguished American picture book for children.” You can learn more about the history of the Caldecott medal here. Additional medals are also given by the American Library Association, known as the Youth Media Awards.
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The Best Picture Books from Caldecott and more 2021:
We Are Water Protectors (Amazon and Bookshop) by Carole Lindstrom and illustrated by Michaela Goade is the big winner, taking home the Caldecott Medal. I cheered when I heard this! We loved reading this book, for the way the words melted together and for the connections we made to the water coming out of our own sinks. The illustrations make me want to go swim in a Michigan lake. A read aloud by author Carole Lindstrom is available on YouTube.
The Cat Man of Aleppo (Amazon and Bookshop) by Irene Latham & Karim Shamsi-Basha and illustrated by Yuko Shimizu is a Caldecott Medal honor book. This is an incredible, tug-on-your-heartstrings book. If you couldn’t guess, there are themes of war and loss here. But also incredible hope and giving and selflessness. The illustrations are hard to see but important to talk about. Whew. What a remarkable choice, I am so glad Caldecott brought this book into our lives.
Me & Mama (Amazon and Bookshop) by Cozbi A Cabrera is a Caldecott Medal honor book. Oh the illustrations! If you loved My Hair is a Garden, this is a book for you.
Outside In (Amazon and Bookshop) by Deborah Underwood and illustrated by Cindy Derby is a Caldecott Medal honor book. If you’re choosing just one book for preschoolers, this is my recommendation. It’s such an important read for kiddos who have been in quarantine for the better part of a year.
A Place Inside Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart (Amazon and Bookshop) by Zetta Elliott and illustrated by Noa Denmon is a Caldecott Medal honor book. About a boy and his emotions, this one hit home for us. It’s a little big for our kiddo, so we took pieces at a time. I love that all the emotions are welcome, including big, small, positive and negative.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul (Amazon and Bookshop) by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Frank Morrison is the Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) award. You’ll know why immediately. The page with the records is my favorite! Or maybe G-I-F-T-E-D? I can’t choose, they’re all works of art. There’s a sneak peek by author Carole Boston Weatherford on YouTube. Frank Morrison is also the author of another Caldecott honor winner, Let the Children March (Amazon and Bookshop).
We Are Little Feminists: Families by Archaa Shrivastav and designed by Lindsey Blakely is the Stonewall Book Award winner for “exceptional merit for children or teens relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience.” I could only find this on Amazon, and FYI it is part of a three book set including Hair (about race and ethnicity) and On The Go about bodies and ability.
See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog (Amazon and Bookshop) by David LaRochelle and Mike Wohnoutka is hilarious! It is also the winner of the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for early readers. Our kiddo is really into being able to identify when things aren’t quite right, like for example when you’re supposed to “see the cat” but really it’s a dog! Giggles abound!
The Bear In My Family (Amazon and Bookshop), written and illustrated by Maya Tatsukawa, is a Geisel honor book. This story is all about siblings and is great for the kiddo who isn’t sure that they want a sibling at all! The color palette for this book is simply beautiful.
Ty’s Travels: Zip, Zoom! (Amazon and Bookshop) by Kelly Starling Lyons and illustrated by Nina Mata is a Geisel honor book. This was a great one for us as our kiddo wasn’t big on getting on a scooter the first… hundred tries or so. You might recognize Nina Mata from her incredible illustrations of LeBron James’ book I Promise!
What About Worms!? (Amazon and Bookshop) by Ryan T. Higgins is a Geisel honor book. If you love Elephant and Piggie by and the indomitable Mo Willems, you’ll want to read this one. It starts with our old friends Gerald and Piggie opening a new book, about a tiger! When the pandemic first started our kiddo was afraid to go outside, but really the fear itself was the problem. I wish we had this book then! What a great read for little worriers.
Where’s Baby? (Amazon and Bookshop) by Anne Hunter is also a Geisel honor book. This is a great one for the littlest of the littles on your list. It is inviting and simple. My kiddo is still in that delightful stage where he “hides” in plain sight, if the littles you love do this too this is a great book for you!
Paper Son: The Inspiring Story of Tyrus Wong, Immigrant and Artist (Amazon and Bookshop) by Julie Leung and illustrated by Chris Sasaki is the winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Best Picture Book. Wow it is beautiful. I could spend long and happy minutes on each page. This is a book for Disney fans, and I love the tie to my beloved Los Angeles.
Danbi Leads the School Parade (Amazon and Bookshop) by Anna Kim is the Asian/Pacific American honor picture book. This is a good one for kids who are new to school and for kids who are new to school in America. I love the characters who are drawn as if they’re moving right around the page, and the expressions of the kids are spot on. For kids who are learning about their senses, there is something here for taste, touch, smell, sight and sound. If you’re looking for a gift, Danbi Leads the School Parade is my recommendation.
Miriam at the River (Amazon and Bookshop) by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Khoa Le is the silver medalist for the Sydney Taylor award for, “outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience.” It’s a retelling of the Moses story, from his sister’s point of view. And holy wow, Le’s illustrations are divine. If you loved The Prince of Egypt (raises hand) and still can hear “There Can Be Miracles” playing in your head, you’ll want to read this.
I Talk Like a River (Amazon and Bookshop) by poet Jordan Scott and illustrated by Sydney Smith is the winner of the Schneider Family Book Award for books regarding ability. About a boy who stutters, this is a beautiful read for all kids who have worried about finding their own voice, their own friends, their own space. “It’s just a bad speech day” is something I will carry with me as I meet kids of new abilities.
Itzhak: A Boy Who Loved the Violin (Amazon and Bookshop) by Tracy Newman and illustrated by Abigail Halpin is a Schneider Family honor book. I love this book for showing how kids living in an apartment, like we are, can grow up to do incredible things.
Bonus:
Jacqueline Woodson, who won the Coretta Scott King (Author) award for Before the Ever After, is also the author of The Day You Begin (Amazon and Bookshop) which will steal your preschooler’s heart. Jacqueline Woodson does a great read aloud on YouTube.
Looking for more? See if you can check off all 100 Children’s Books to Read in 2021!