Caldecott and Newbery Medal

Newbery Medal is an award given by the American Library Association every June. The award is named after John Newbery an eighteenth century bookseller. Award is given to a book published the preceding year. The medal is given to the author that has contributed
to American literature by publishing a distinguishing book. Honor award books are also given along with the overall winner of the Newbery Medal. Newbery Medal considers fiction, non-fiction, and poetry books when determining the winner.

The nominating committee for this award has certain guidelines to follow in order to declare a winner. One of the criteria for considering a Newbery Medal winner or honor book is the following literary qualities:
• theme or concept is interpreted
• clarity, organization, and accuracy when presenting information
• plot is developed
• characters
• setting
• is written in an appropriate comprehension manner for people to read
The second criterion is that the book is considered to contribute to literature in overall positive manner. The third criterion requires that a book does not have any support from media equipment in order to enjoy the book.

Caldecott Medal is also given each year to a distinguished picture book in children’s literature by the American Library Association. The Caldecott Medal is named after a well known nineteenth century English illustrator named Randolph J. Caldecott. Illustrators of this order also need to have had their book published in the preceding year. Caldecott Medal also presents medals to honor books each year.

The nominating committee for this award has certain guidelines to follow in order to declare a winner. One of the criteria is the quality of the illustrations included in the book. Committee when judging is looking for overall artistic technique and appropriateness of how the pictures match the story. Second criterion is that the book does not depend on any form of media in order to enjoy the book. A third criterion in order to be considered for Caldecott Medal is not only does the book have excellent quality illustrations but overall meets high level of standard for written text and design.

Caldecott and Newbery Medal have some similarities and differences. A simulates for both awards is that each award is given to a book written or illustrated the preceding year. Each award also requires books to written or illustrated in a distinguished overall manner, and the ward is given by through American Library Associate. The awards are named after people in American Children Literature that have contributed in a positive manner. A difference is that Newbery is given to a distinguish children’s literature writer and Caldecott is awarded to a distinguished illustrator.

Images of Caldecott and Newbery Medal were copied form www.yahoo.com images on October 13, 2007.