Both the Newbery and the Caldecott Medal are awarded each winter by the American Library Association.  The Newbery Medal is awarded for the most distinguished American children’s book published the previous year.  It was named after an eighteenth century English bookseller, John Newbery, and has been given out since the 1920’s.

 

This year’s Newbery Medal winner is “Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures” written by Kate DiCamillo.  It is the story of Flora Belle Buckman, and Ulysses, a superhero, flying squirrel, as they join forces to overcome Ulysses’ arch-nemesis who happens to be Flora’s mother.  “Our dedicated committee of 15 considered hundreds and hundreds of titles in our quest for the best books for children, and I am delighted with our selection,” said Newbery Medal Committee Chari Elizabeth C. Orsburn.

 

The 2014 Honor Books include “Doll Bones” by Holly Black, a quest story which involves the presence of a sinister bone china doll who haunts dreams.  “The Year of Billy Miller, written by Kevin Henkes follows a seven-year-old through a rocky second grade year.  “One Came Home” written by Amy Timberlake is set in 1871 Wisconsin as a 13-year-old tries to solve the mystery of her sister’s disappearance.  And “Paperboy,” written by Vince Vawter tells the story of a young substitute paperboy in 1959 Memphis.

 

The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott; it is awarded annually to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.  The 2014 Medal Winner is “Locomotive” written an illustrated by Brian Floca.  It accompanies a family on an unforgettable weeklong train trip from Omaha to Sacramento in 1869.  “The committee was impressed with Floca’s ability to creatively capture the immensity and inner workings of the early locomotive and combine it with a family’s adventurous journey west,” said Caldecott Medal Committee Chair Marion Hanes Rutsch.

 

The 2014 Honor Books are “Journey,” written and illustrated by Aaron Becker concerns a lonely girl who draws a door with a magical red crayon that takes her to a “sumptuous, lushly-hued watercolor and pen and ink landscapes.”  “Flora and the Flamingo” is written and illustrated by Molly Idle shows the relationship between an awkward young girl and a graceful flamingo; “the minimalist setting, limited color palette, use of white space and page turns create a timeless and joyful visual experience.”  And “Mr. Wuffles!” written and illustrated by David Wiesner embarks a cat on a wondrous science fiction tale when he finds a new toy that turns out to be a spaceship; "crisp watercolor and India ink illustrations shine in an innovative graphic novel, picture book hybrid featuring hidden worlds, alien languages and one peeved cat."