The 2018 Caldecott Winner and Honorees
Join Emma Walton Hamilton, Laura Backes, Julie Hedlund, and Katie Davis as they discuss and review the 2018 Caldecott Award Winner and Honorees!
2018 winner and honorees are:
Caldecott Medal Winner
Wolf in Snow by Matthew Cordell
Caldecott Honor Books
Big Cat, Little Cat by Elisha Cooper
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick D. Barnes and Gordon C. James
A Different Pond by Bao Phi and Thi Bui
Grand Canyon by Jason Chin
Our team talks about each one of these books, breaking down the art and the words. Plus, we review the rules for the Caldecott; many of these guidelines might be surprising. Each one of these are broken down so you can get started with your own analysis of your favorite picture books. Then you can apply some of these techniques to your own art and writing!
Part 1 – The Caldecott Criteria
Listen up as Emma Walton Hamilton explains the Caldecott rules. If you’ve ever wondered why some books are selected over others, here’s why: the Caldecott rules are specific in what they’re looking for. Emma breaks these rules down so they’re easy to understand.
(This video was originally recorded as an introduction to our 2017 Caldecott analysis. The same rules apply this year so we’ve included it here to help you understand how the winning books are chosen. You can see our 2017 commentary here.)
Part 2 – Wolf in Snow
2018 Caldecott Winner, Wolf in Snow by Matthew Cordell
In this video, Katie Davis shares Wolf in Snow. Katie has followed Matthew Cordell through the creation of this book and shares what inspired the book and how Matthew’s research on this nearly wordless picture book informed the way the story was told.
Part 3 – Big Cat, Little Cat
2018 Caldecott Honor Book, Big Cat, Little Cat by Elisha Cooper
Part 4 – Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut
2018 Caldecott Honor Book, Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut
by Derrick B. Barnes and Gordon C. James
Part 5 – A Different Pond
2018 Caldecott Honor Book, A Different Pond
written by Bao Phi, illustrated by Thi Bui
Part 6 – Grand Canyon
2018 Caldecott Honor Book, Grand Canyon by Jason Chin
Sharon Coffey
March 30, 2018 at 4:08 pmLoved this! The book, WOLF IN SNOW is brilliant. I loved hearing everyone’s thoughts about the parallels in the book and all the visual clues that have significant meaning as to intent and emotional disposition of the girl and the wolves. Researching your animals if animals are in your story can work to add additional layers. Thank you all for yet another great tool to add to my writer’s toolbox.
Jim Petipas
April 18, 2018 at 10:49 amThank you for sharing these wonderful books and info on Caldecott criteria. Huge congrats to the winners and the honorees! I am the recent author, illustrator and songwriter of, “The Cows Go Moo!” and have gleaned a lot from these posts. Thank you for sharing your passion and knowledge of children’s picture books!
Jeanne B. De Sainte Marie
April 29, 2018 at 6:08 amDear Emma, Laura, Julie and Katie,
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this series on the Caldecott winners and honorees.! You have surpassed yourselves in bringing us these thoughtful, sensitive and informative looks at the books. Bravo!
My very best regards,
Jeanne