Favorite Caldecott Books 1938-1959

Our favorite Caldecott books are going to be winners with your kids, too!

My goal? To introduce you to some new children’s books that your own kiddos will fall in love with and treasure for years to come. To see which ones we love from the past decades, visit our other lists in this series!

Be sure to check out our extensive book lists for kids!

You can find these Caldecott favorites at your local library or purchase through the affiliate links provided for your convenience.

Favorite Caldecott Books

These early winners of the Caldecott Awards has staying power!

And while the list is jam-packed with goodies, I’m going to let you know my family’s personal favorites, from books they’ve worn thin to ones we just can’t pass up when we’re at the library.

What are the Caldecott Book Awards?

The Caldecott Medal is highly regarded in the children’s book world and is a prestigious American children’s book award that is presented annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association.

The award is given to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children published in the previous year.

It was first awarded in 1938 and is named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott.

OUR FAVORITE CALDECOTT BOOKS 1938-1959

Blueberries for Sal

Blueberries for Sal received an honor award from Caldecott during its very first year.

This book has truly stood the test of time.

Description: What happens when Sal and her mother meet a mother bear and her cub? A beloved classic is born!

Marshmallow

I just adored reading this book to my boys, who couldn’t get enough of this adorable fluffy bunny.

Description: This is the true story of how Oliver and Marshmallow become friends.

Oliver is a tabby cat who is always the center of attention.

Marshmallow is a baby rabbit who moves into Oliver’s home.

At first Oliver does not welcome Marshmallow, but the little bunny’s charms are impossible to resist.

Madeline

Doesn’t everyone just love Madeline? I know my boys do… the entire series, including the newest installments from Lugwid Bemelmans’ grandson.

Description: The story of twelve little girls in two straight lines, the smallest one being Madeline, has delighted children for more than seventy years.

Now the beloved Caldecott Honor Book is available in sturdy board book format and a reduced size perfect for small hands.

While the text is slightly abridged, none of the charm of the original book is lost as a new format brings this classic title to a younger audience.

Make Way for Ducklings

This book was an early favorite in our family, having just come from a big city ourselves.

Description: Mrs. Mallard was sure that the pond in the Boston Public Gardens would be a perfect place for her and her eight ducklings to live.

The problem was how to get them there through the busy streets of Boston.

But with a little help from the Boston police, Mrs. Mallard and Jack, Kack, Lack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack arrive safely at their new home.

TELL ME WHICH ONES ARE YOUR FAVORITES?

For the full Caldecott award winners and honor recipients: