1. Oregon Library Association
Children’s Services Division
2009 Mock Caldecott
Workshop
Salem Public Library
January 10, 2009

2. Caldecott Terms and Criteria
The Medal shall be awarded annually to the
artist of the most distinguished American
picture book for children….
• …published in the preceding year.
• …restricted to artists who are citizens or
residents of the United States.

3. Caldecott Terms and Criteria
• …Children are defined as persons of ages
up to and including fourteen and picture
books for this entire age range are to
be considered.
• …The only limitation to graphic form is
that the form must be one which may be
used in a picture book.

4. Caldecott Terms and Criteria
• A "picture book for children" as
distinguished from other books
with illustrations, is one that essentially
provides the child with a
visual experience.
• has a collective unity of story-line,
theme, or concept, developed through the
series of pictures of which the book
is comprised.

5. Caldecott Terms and Criteria
• …consider only the books eligible for
the award
• …The award is not for didactic intent
• … or for popularity
• …other components of a book are to be
considered especially when they make a
book less effective as a children's picture
book… might include the written text,
the overall design of the book…

6. Caldecott Terms and Criteria
• …Excellence of execution in the artistic
technique employed…
• …Excellence of pictorial interpretation of
story, theme, or concept; of appropriateness of
style of illustration to the story, theme or
concept; of delineation of plot, theme,
characters, setting mood or information through
the pictures.
• …must consider excellence of presentation in
recognition of a child audience.

7. “In spite of the great feeling of surprise and spontaneity
we often get from them, it is important to remember that
nothing ever happens accidentally in a picture book. It is
a complex, carefully planned work of art that creates a
satisfying interplay between text and pictures to tell a
story that a small child can understand. By learning to
look for the individual pieces and by developing an
awareness of the techniques that are used to make them
all work together, we can better understand the work as
a whole, so that we can clearly articulate our critical and
emotional responses.” (K.T. Horning)

8. How artistic elements work
together to express meaning
Look beyond What happens
to
How it happens

9. Narrative Elements
Character Plot
Theme
Setting

10. Elements of Art
Color
SpaceLine
Shape /
Texture

11. Medium, Style, and Composition
Style
Composition
Medium

12. Plot / Space
Character /
Line
Setting /
Texture + Medium
Theme / Color
Look beyond What happens
to How it happens
Elements of Narrative and Art

13. 2003 Picture books
Medal Winner
Honor Book
Other
Eligible
Titles….
Honor Book
Honor Book

14. 1996 Picture books
Medal Winner
Honor Book
Other
Eligible
Titles….
Honor Book
Honor Book
Honor Book