Caldecott Medal: The Definitive Superlatives
Who has the best hair in medal history? (and other important categories)
It’s time to open up the Caldecott Yearbook and hand out some superlatives.
I’m just going to say it right at the top: I got slightly obsessed with this post, and it might be too long for your email.
Click here to read the whole Caldecott Superlatives post in its full, unclipped glory.
Now back to the post . . .
Some of these are no-brainers. Others just sort of feel right. I even got some of my favorite Substack pals (including a couple Caldecott Honor winners) to chime in with their “Guest Faculty” picks.
And I need your help to make this list truly definitive. Make sure you vote for Best Hair, Most Likely to Star in a Reality Show, and Most Likely to Haunt Your Dreams in the polls below.
The Classic Superlatives
Best Hair (Vote!)
THE LION & THE MOUSE by Jerry Pinkney (2010)
OR
THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET by Brian Selznick (2008)
Honestly the toughest decision you may ever face. Lion’s masterfully flowing mane, or Hugo’s (proto-Steve “The Hair” Harrington) Parisian mop?
Cutest Couple
THEY WERE STRONG AND GOOD by Robert Lawson (1941)
Look at these two dreamy-eyed lovebirds. Just remember the school rule, guys: no PDA.
Life of the Party
SONG AND DANCE MAN illustrated by Stephen Gammell; written by Karen Ackerman (1989)
He’s A LOT, but you can’t deny that he deserves this award.
Most Likely to Join Cirque du Soleil
MIRETTE ON THE HIGH WIRE by Emily Arnold McCully (1993)
Definitely making the pilgrimage to see Mirette in The Sphere.
Best Twins (Not Related)
THE SNOWY DAY by Ezra Jack Keats (1963)
AND
WOLF IN THE SNOW by Matthew Cordell (2018)
The two best red snowsuits in all of children’s literature.
The Achievers
Most Likely to Become Reluctant Dictator of a Country That Doesn’t Exist
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE by Maurice Sendak (1964)
Also MOST LIKELY TO GET BORED OF POWER AND RETURN HOME BECAUSE HE’S HUNGRY.
Most Likely to Get a Full-Ride Scholarship to Stanford
SNOWFLAKE BENTLEY Illustrated by Mary Azarian; written by Jacqueline Briggs Martin (1999)
The initiative he took in his independent snow crystal formation project moved his application to the top of the pile.
Most Likely to Give The Graduation Speech
THE UNDEFEATED illustrated by Kadir Nelson, written by Kwame Alexander (2020)
Every grad will leave inspired by this Kwame/Kadir classic.
Most Likely to Be President
SO YOU WANT TO BE PRESIDENT? illustrated by David Small; written by Judith St. George (2001)
I mean, they’ve been prepping for the job forever.
The Troublemakers
Most Likely to Get Suspended for Violating Dress Code
DUFFY AND THE DEVIL by Harve and Margot Zemach (1974)
“REASON FOR SUSPENSION: A top hat is not an outfit.”
Most Likely to Be Late for Class
MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS by Robert McCloskey (1942)
Stopped by traffic again?
Most Likely to Put a Firecracker in the Staff Toilet
DRUMMER HOFF illustrated by Ed Emberly, adapted by Barbara Emberly (1968)
Don’t let the formal uniform fool you. Hoff’s a total pyro.
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📓 Guest Faculty
(Superlatives from Substacks I recommend)
Best Dressed
GRANDFATHER’S JOURNEY by Allan Say (1994)
— Shared by Mac Barnett of Looking at Picture Books
Most Likely to Become a Narc
THIS IS NOT MY HAT by Jon Klassen (2013)
I was specifically thinking of the crab in this book.
— Shared by Taylor Sterling of MOONBOW
Most Likely to Win a Fight/Start a Revolution
WE ARE WATER PROTECTORS illustrated by Michaela Goade; written by Carole Lindstrom (2021)
We Are Water Protectors harnesses the tenacity and energy that can rile up any reader to feel emboldened, strong and powerful. There's no way you can go toe to toe in a fight with this book and come out on top.
— Shared by Lian Cho of Am I Doing This Right?
Most Likely to Tell You a 10 Minute Story About Their Dream
TUESDAY by David Wiesner (1992)
Dreams of flying are universal. Fun or terrifying if you're the dreamer, but not that interesting to the listener. But dreams of flying frogs and soaring toads? Perfect subject for a story.
— Shared by Grant Snider of Incidental Comics
Best Friend
A SICK DAY FOR AMOS MCGEE illustrated by Erin E. Stead; written by Philip C. Stead (2011)
Amos is the type of person that would get along with EVERYONE. I want to be his friend!
— Shared by Colby Sharp of sharpread | Colby Sharp
Most Likely to Star in Films with Robin Williams AND The Rock
JUMANJI by Chris Van Allsburg (1982)
The first and last to ever do it! Or, wait, Pierce Brosnan was in Black Adam and Mrs. Doubtfire, huh? Still, Pierce doesn’t also have a Caldecott!
— Shared by Shawn Harris of MAKE SOME ART with Shawn Harris
Most Likely to Go Into Tech
HEY, AL illustrated by Richard Egielski; written by Arthur Yorinks (1987)
I cannot be the only person who looks at the term AI and misreads it from time to time as "AL", so I personally feel that this is the most techie of all the Caldecott winners (and I'm so happy Hey, Al isn't better known or you KNOW someone would have done an AI version of it as a joke and tried to publish it).
— Shared by Betsy Bird of A Fuse #8 Production
Best Taste in Music
SYLVESTER & THE MAGIC PEBBLE by William Steig (1970)
Because nobody knows how to rock like Sylvester!
— Shared by Jashar Awan of Long Story Short
Most Likely to Invite You Over to Their House
ALWAYS ROOM FOR ONE MORE illustrated by Nonny Hogrogian; written by Sorche Nic Leodhas (1966)
It’s a joyful book about generosity and kindness, full of jolly, rollicking language that - once you get the hang of it (and if you’re willing to attempt a Scottish accent, however poorly) - is very fun.
— Shared by Sarah Miller of Can we read?
Wild Card Superlatives
Most Likely to Star in Their Own Reality Show (Vote!)
THE LITTLE ISLAND illustrated by Leonard Weisgard; written by Golden MacDonald (Margaret Wise Brown) (1947)
Forget tropical locations, only true Survivors can outwit and outlast competitors on an island off the coast of Maine.
or
FROG WENT A-COURTIN’ illustrated by Feodor Rojankovsky; written by John Langstaff (1956)
When ‘The Bachelor’ is a frog, it’s guaranteed to be the most dramatic rose ceremony ever.
Best Short King
BABOUSHKA AND THE THREE KINGS illustrated by Nicolas Sidjakov; written by Ruth Robbins (1961)
The smallest Caldecott Medal winner is representing for all the books that are short in stature.
Most Likely to Drop Their Phone in the Toilet
FLOTSAM by David Wiesner (2007)
. . . or camera in the ocean.
Most Likely to Be on SHARK TANK
THE GLORIOUS FLIGHT: ACROSS THE CHANNEL WITH LOUIS BLERIOT by Alice and Martin Provensen (1984)
“Hey, Sharks. Tired of traveling by land? Introducing: Flight!”
Most Likely to Have a Death-Defying Live Special on Netflix
THE MAN WHO WALKED BETWEEN THE TOWERS by Mordicai Gerstein (2004)
Most Likely to Receive a Visit from The Property Brothers
THE LITTLE HOUSE by Virginia Lee Burton (1943)
“We installed granite countertops, a feature wall, and a sense of peace after the existential dread of being trapped in an urban hellscape.”
The Dark Side
Most Likely to Develop a Drinking Problem
SAM, BANGS & MOONSHINE by Evaline Ness (1967)
Although the “moonshine” here is figurative and not literal, this book still ran unopposed.
Least Likely to Be Stolen
PRAYER FOR A CHILD illustrated by Elizabeth Orton Jones; written by Rachel Field (1945)
The spiritual ramifications are too costly. But if someone does dare to steal it, I just pray they bring it back.
Most Likely to Haunt Your Dreams (Vote!)
LON PO PO by Ed Young (1990)
or
GOLEM by David Wisniewski (1997)
I don’t know, there’s just something about pupil-less, glowing white wolf eyes and massive ominous shadows that make these two books particularly creepy.
Thanks for reading! Don’t win Most Likely to Gatekeep. Feel free to share, restack, or like this post to help others find it.
If there’s a superlative that I missed, share it in the comments! I might use one of your suggestions in a future Part II.
Bravo! This is great. I would also like to note that your separated-at-birth twins might also be wearing Norwegian resistance hats. WHO CAN SAY?
"I’m just going to say it right at the top: I got slightly obsessed with this post, and it might be too long for your email."
This is not long enough - the public demands more of these superlative superlatives!