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Books in Caldecott Honor Book series

  • The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

    Jon Scieszka, Lane Smith

    Hardcover (Viking Books for Young Readers, Oct. 1, 1992)
    The entire book, with its unconventional page arrangement and eclectic, frenetic mix of text and pictures, is a spoof on the art of book design and the art of the fairy tale. The individual tales, such as The Really Ugly Duckling and Little Red Running Shorts, can be extracted for telling aloud, with great success. Another masterpiece from the team that created The True Story of the Three Little Pigs! -Horn Book
    Q
  • The Undefeated

    Kwame Alexander, Kadir Nelson

    Hardcover (Versify, April 2, 2019)
    Winner of the 2020 Caldecott Medal A 2020 Newbery Honor Book Winner of the 2020 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award The Newbery Award-winning author of THE CROSSOVER pens an ode to black American triumph and tribulation, with art from a two-time Caldecott Honoree. Originally performed for ESPN's The Undefeated, this poem is a love letter to black life in the United States. It highlights the unspeakable trauma of slavery, the faith and fire of the civil rights movement, and the grit, passion, and perseverance of some of the world's greatest heroes. The text is also peppered with references to the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, and others, offering deeper insights into the accomplishments of the past, while bringing stark attention to the endurance and spirit of those surviving and thriving in the present. Robust back matter at the end provides valuable historical context and additional detail for those wishing to learn more.
    R
  • Owen

    Kevin Henkes

    Hardcover (Greenwillow Books, Sept. 15, 1993)
    Owen had a fuzzy yellow blanket. "Fuzzy goes where I go," said Owen. But Mrs. Tweezers disagreed. She thought Owen was too old for a blanket. Owen disagreed. No matter what Mrs. Tweezers came up with, Blanket Fairies or vinegar, Owen had the answer. But when school started, Owen't mother knew just what to do, and everyone -- Owen, Fuzzy, and even Mrs. Tweezers -- was happy.
    K
  • Tops & Bottoms

    Janet Stevens

    Hardcover (Harcourt Brace, March 29, 1995)
    A 1996 Caldecott Honor Book Hare solves his family’s problems by tricking rich and lazy Bear in this funny, energetic version of an old slave story. With roots in American slave tales, Tops & Bottoms celebrates the trickster tradition of using one’s wits to overcome hardship. “As usual, Stevens’ animal characters, bold and colorful, are delightful. . . . It’s all wonderful fun, and the book opens, fittingly, from top to bottom instead of from side to side, making it perfect for story-time sharing.”--BooklistThis title has been selected as a Common Core Text Exemplar (Grades 2-3, Stories)
    M
  • King Bidgood's in the Bathtub

    Audrey Wood, Don Wood

    Paperback (HMH Books for Young Readers, Sept. 13, 2010)
    In this delightful story, the king refuses to leave his bathtub and rule the kingdom. “Beauty aside, this also has a panache and sly wit that will please children and their parents, who will be called on to peruse the book again and again.”--Booklist
    L
  • Zen Shorts

    Jon J Muth, Jon J. Muth

    Hardcover (Scholastic Press, March 1, 2005)
    "Michael," said Karl. "There's a really big bear in the backyard." This is how three children meet Stillwater, a giant panda who moves into the neighborhood and tells amazing tales. To Addy he tells a story about the value of material goods. To Michael he pushes the boundaries of good and bad. And to Karl he demonstrates what it means to hold on to frustration. With graceful art and simple stories that are filled with love and enlightenment, Jon Muth -- and Stillwater the bear -- present three ancient Zen tales that are sure to strike a chord in everyone they touch.
    N
  • Sector 7

    David Wiesner

    Hardcover (Clarion Books, Sept. 20, 1999)
    A 2000 Caldecott Honor Book Only the person who gave us Tuesday could have devised this fantastic Caldecott Honor-winning tale, which begins with a school trip to the Empire State Building. There a boy makes friends with a mischievous little cloud, who whisks him away to the Cloud Dispatch Center for Sector 7 (the region that includes New York City). The clouds are bored with their everyday shapes, so the boy obligingly starts to sketch some new ones. . . . The wordless yet eloquent account of this unparalleled adventure is a funny, touching story about art, friendship, and the weather, as well as a visual tour de force.
    WB
  • Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

    Simms Taback

    Hardcover (Viking Books for Young Readers, Oct. 1, 1999)
    Joseph had a little overcoat, but it was full of holes—just like this book! When Joseph's coat got too old and shabby, he made it into a jacket. But what did he make it into after that? And after that?As children turn the pages of this book, they can use the die-cut holes to guess what Joseph will be making next from his amazing overcoat, while they laugh at the bold, cheerful artwork and learn that you can always make something, even out of nothing.
    K
  • Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom

    Carole Boston Weatherford, Kadir Nelson

    Hardcover (Hyperion Book CH, Sept. 1, 2006)
    This poetic book is a resounding tribute to Tubman's strength, humility, and devotion. With proper reverence, Weatherford and Nelson do justice to the woman who, long ago, earned over and over the name Moses.
    V
  • Tuesday

    David Wiesner

    Hardcover (Clarion Books, April 22, 1991)
    The unpredictable events of a particular Tuesday unroll before the reader with the precision and clarity of a silent movie. A Caldecott Medal book.
    WB
  • The Ugly Duckling

    Hans Christian Andersen, Jerry Pinkney

    Hardcover (Morrow Junior Books, March 24, 1999)
    A gorgeous, Caldecott Honor-winning version of the classic storyFor over one hundred years The Ugly Duckling has been a childhood favorite, and Jerry Pinkney's spectacular adaptation brings it triumphantly to new generations of readers.With keen emotion and fresh vision, the acclaimed artist captures the essence of the tale's timeless appeal: The journey of the awkward little bird—marching bravely through hecklers, hunters, and cruel seasons—is an unforgettable survival story; this blooming into a graceful swan is a reminder of the patience often necessary to discover true happiness. Splendid watercolors set in the lush countryside bring the drama to life in this hardcover picture book.
    O
  • Tar Beach

    Faith Ringgold

    Hardcover (Knopf Books for Young Readers, Jan. 16, 1991)
    Illus. in full color. "Ringgold recounts the dream adventure of eight-year-old Cassie Louise Lightfoot, who flies above her apartment-building rooftop, the 'tar beach' of the title, looking down on 1939 Harlem. Part autobiographical, part fictional, this allegorical tale sparkles with symbolic and historical references central to African-American culture. The spectacular artwork resonates with color and texture. Children will delight in the universal dream of mastering one's world by flying over it. A practical and stunningly beautiful book."--(starred) Horn Book.
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