How Many of the 2017 Caldecott Medal and Honor Books Have You Read?

Radiant Child, by Javaka Steptoe
An intimate look at Jean-Michel Basquiat’s path from childhood toward his dream of being a famous artist, and the events in between that shaped him, Radiant Child makes Basquiat’s story accessible and relatable to children. The creator of this book chose to interpret Basquiat’s work, rather than reproducing it, and his love for and connection to the original work shines through.

Leave Me Alone, by Vera Brosgol
A very funny, strange tale of a grandmother’s quest to be left alone with her knitting, Leave Me Alone follows the grandmother’s natural progression from her small house all the way out to a wormhole in space. Every new place she tries to sit quietly and knit quickly fills with curious onlookers and worse. Plus, there are goats! What’s a grouchy grandma to do?

Freedom in Congo Square, by Carole Boston Weatherford and R. Gregory Christie
For slaves in New Orleans, the week was nonstop tasks and toiling, with a half day off mandated by law on Sunday. Enslaved and free blacks both gathered together to celebrate, communicate, and express themselves in Congo Square. For a few hours every Sunday, the slaves played music, danced, discussed news, and experienced a small piece of freedom. Freedom in Congo Square leads the reader gently through the slaves’ week and into the joyous contrast of their Sunday afternoons.

Du Iz Tak?, by Carson Ellis
When a green sprout appears, two damselflies ponder the possibilities for the plant. As the vegetation grows, other bugs join them and wonder how the greenery can be of use. These intricately illustrated, anthropomorphic insects speak a language that’s almost familiar, but not quite. The humor and the drama of this strange insectile story is immensely pleasurable without needing any translation.

They All Saw a Cat, by Brendan Wenzel
As a cat walks through the world with its whiskers, ears, and paws, a variety of creatures observe the feline, each through their own unique perspective.  We see the cat as a child, a dog, a fox, a fish…even a flea and a worm might view a cat through the imaginative and varied illustrations based on each creature’s physiology and relationship to cats. The unencumbered text allows the pictures to lead the reader into experiencing the cat as each creature (including the cat) might.