Favorite Caldecott Books 1980-1989

The 80s had some of our favorite Caldecott books!

Are you ready for a great listing of The Caldecott Medal Winners and Honor Recipients through the 80s (big hair and neon workout clothes aside)?

Snuggle up with your little one for some great reading!. 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.

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.

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

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

Favorite Caldecott Books 1980-1989 | Mommy Evolution

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.

My Boys’ Favorites Caldecott Winners

We have a number of favorites, but Ben’s Trumpet and Jumanji have excellent audio tracks to go with these books!

They are well worth checking out!

FAVORITE CALDECOTT BOOKS 1980-1989

Polar Express 30th Anniversary Edition

You’ve probably heard of the movie, but did you know it’s a beloved children’s book as well?

The Polar Express is a perennial favorite with my kids, because let’s face it, Santa is always in style!

Plus, my boys love listening to the wonderful audio CD read by Liam Neeson.

Description: A young boy lying awake on Christmas Eve only to have Santa Claus sweep by and take him on a trip with other children to the North Pole.

Jumanji 30th Anniversary Edition

Here’s another book that’s been turned into a movie.

We have yet to see the movie but the book is amazing.

Throw in Robin Williams who also is on the narrator on this quality audio CD and we find ourselves reading this book at home as well as in the car.

Description: Peter and Judy first found the game — Jumanji — with the instructions that once the game is started, it must be finished or it will go on forever — and thirty years ago, with this same wonderment, readers found Jumanji, too.

Truck

We read this board book until it literally fell apart.

A book with no words, this toddler book was a terrific way for my kids to practice their vocabulary and description skills.

All they cared about was they were in love with all of the trucks.

Description: In this wordless picture book, a large, bright red trailer truck packed with tricycles moves through pages of fog, truck stops, and crowded highways.

Ben's Trumpet

We originally found this book because I was trying to find a way to introduce my kids to jazz.

Instead I discovered a family favorite!

The story is wonderful but don’t pass up on the audio CD, which plays jazz throughout the story.

Description: Using the art-deco style of the period, Rachel Isadora not only captures the poignancy and yearning of a youthful talent, but in page after page of striking art seems to convey the very sound of music.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

The colorful illustrations really made this book a favorite version of Goldilocks for my boys.

Description: Goldilocks is one of those naughty little girls who does exactly as she pleases, even if that means sampling the three bears’ porridge, breaking Baby Bear’s chair, and sleeping in his bed.

James Marshall’s offbeat and inventive telling of this familiar tale will enchant readers, young and old.

TELL ME WHICH ONES ARE YOUR FAVORITES?

For the full Caldecott award winners and honor recipients: