Caldecott Honor Books

Author: Leo Lionni

Genre: Fiction 

Grades: Pre-K - 2

Swimmy won a Caldecott Honor award for its illustrations. Leo Lionni's illustrations are mirrored with Eric Carle's work. It looks similar to his medium of choice, tissue paper. He uses a dynamic of color and texture to create a collage look. 

Swimmy by Leo Lionni is a story about a little black fish in a sea of red fish. At first read, you would think that this would turn into the storyline similar to the ugly duckling where he is outcasted for being different. Though the little black fish was isolated for some time in the book this it is not because of being different or for being treated differently. The little black fish does think differently and that is a good thing. He inspires the fish around him with his creative solution to swimming without fear of being eaten.  Lionni, leads the plot towards its resolution in an inspirational way. This would be a good read to discuss conflict resolution and problem solving.

Author: Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Genre: Fiction
Grades: Pre-K - 5

Sam & Dave Dig A Hole won a Caldecott Honor award for it's illustrations. Without the pictures, the reader would not be able to follow the storyline of this book.

Sam and Dave are on a hunt for something spectacular. The do so by digging holes. All the while, their furry friend has his eyes on the prize. When you take a picture walk through the book, you can easily follow the dog's eyes toward the something spectacular. However, this is no obvious hint to Sam and Dave. They keep digging, what they think isn't working leads them to change their digging paths, passing right by the something spectacular multiple times. The words in the book do not stand on their own to understand this. Eventually, they find peace in their journey's outcome as something spectacular.

The illustrations are very interesting. The medium looks to be colored pencils. There are distinct lines in the shading and empty spaces of white. It's simplicity and darkness really showcases and brightens the something spectacular in the picture. The illustrations are comedic in that they give the reader an outward view of what Sam and Dave are digging around. Like the dog, the reader can get frustrated with how close they were to it.