The American Library Association (ALA) today announced the top books, video and audio books for children and young adults—including the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Newbery and Printz awards—at its Midwinter Meeting in Denver, Colorado.You could say it is the Oscars, the Emmys and The Grammys of the children's book world all in one day.
The Caldecott Medal, given for the most distinguished American picture book for children is my personal favorite award. The kids love to find out the winner and hearing it read is like going to Opening Night at the theater. This year's winner, Wolf in the Snow, is a poignant story of interspecies friendship and trust. The paintings in this wordless picture book tell the story in a spare style that invites the reader to become fully engaged. Judging by the reactions of the two kindergarten classes I shared this with today, the committee made a good choice.
