Caldecott Winner and Honor Books 2016

Have you ever quickly looked at a children's book, thought to yourself, "this looks like a winner," then upon purchasing it and reading it, realized it was actually a dud?

I have, which is why I look forward to the announcement of the Caldecott Medal winners each year. I love looking at the medal winner lists because I always find books that I want to add to our collection and this year was no exception.

Of special note, is that this year one of the Caldecott honor books also won the Newberry Medal which is awarded for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature. (The Caldecott Medal is given each year to the artist who creates the most distinguished American picture book for children.)

The 2016 Caldecott Winner is Finding Winnie:

From the Publisher:

Before Winnie-the-Pooh, there was a real bear named Winnie. And she was a girl!

In 1914, Harry Colebourn, a veterinarian on his way to tend horses in World War I, followed his heart and rescued a baby bear. He named her Winnie, after his hometown of Winnipeg, and he took the bear to war. 

Harry Colebourn's real-life great granddaughter tells the true story of a remarkable friendship and an even more remarkable journey--from the field of Canada to a convoy across the ocean to an army base in England…

And finally to the London Zoo, where Winnie made another new friend: a real boy named Christopher Robin.

Here is the remarkable true story of the bear who inspired Winnie-the Pooh.

Finding Winnie is currently on its way to our house because the story sounds just as fabulous as the illustrations. And bonus, right now on Amazon it is available for almost 50% off the list price. 

1. Voice of Freedom, Fannie Lou Hamer: Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement illustrated by Ekua Holmes
2. Waiting illustrated by Kevin Henkes
3. Last Stop on Market Street illustrated by Christian Robinson (also the 2016 Newberry Medal winner)
4. Trombone Shorty illustrated by Bryan Collier

Do any of you already have these Caldecott books in your home libraries? If so, which ones are your favorites?

p.s. This is a fun post from Peter Brown about the phone call he got telling him his book Creepy Carrots won a Caldecott Honor.