Comments on: A Tale by the Brothers Grimm Returns in ‘The Bearskinner,’ a Picture Book by Newbery Winner Laura Amy Schlitz and Max Grafe

By: 1minutebookreviewswordpresscom

1minutebookreviewswordpresscom — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 17:42:24 +0000

I just went to the ALA site and the list of winners always gives both the illustrator and author. But when I went to the “Criteria” page, it said this:

“1. The Medal shall be awarded annually to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children published in English in the United States during the preceding year. There are no limitations as to the character of the picture book except that the illustrations be original work. Honor Books may be named. These shall be books that are also truly distinguished.”

So I’m going to change the text. But I wonder if the ALA is being as clear about this as it could be … Thanks for clarifying it for readers.

By: 1minutebookreviewswordpresscom

1minutebookreviewswordpresscom — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 17:32:29 +0000

The award goes to the BOOK, though, not the illustrator, and the author and illustrator usually seem to share the credit (though you’re right in the sense that it’s a picture-book award). I’ll see if I can track down the ALA rules on whether, technically speaking, an author can legitimately claim to have “won” a Caldecott … I’ve seen any number of them do it on their books. Thanks for bringing up the point.

By: speedytexaslibrarian

speedytexaslibrarian — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 14:49:56 +0000

Janice, I think illustrator Max Grafe would have actually been the one eligible for the Caldecott – it’s an illustrator’s award. Of course, the authors of Caldecott-winning books always benefit from the award too.