Caldecott Medal

Caldecott Medal references 72 books assigned across applicable K-12 grade levels in US schools.

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The Randolph Caldecott Medal is awarded annually by the American Library Association to the illustrator of the most distinguished American picture book for children. Established in 1938, it is the most prestigious picture-book award in the United States and a cornerstone of preschool through grade-3 reading and read-aloud collections.

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72 books referenced

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Reading the whole Caldecott Medal reading list? Kids who struggle with the print versions often finish the assigned books by listening.

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About this curriculum framework

This curriculum is one of dozens of named English Language Arts frameworks tracked across US public-school districts. Frameworks differ in scope (district-level vs state-level vs national), in mandate (required vs recommended vs elective), and in how prescriptive their reading lists are (single fixed text list vs broad reading-pool selection).

The book list below represents titles cited as required, recommended, or commonly assigned within this framework, sourced from the framework's primary documentation (or, where the framework is administered at district level, from public district curriculum pages). Each book's detail page links the specific source document for that citation.

How to use this Caldecott Medal reading list

The book list above represents titles ReadingList has confirmed as referenced by Caldecott Medal— either through the framework’s own published documentation, through audited classroom syllabi citing the framework, or through US state and district curriculum guides that map their reading expectations to it. Each book’s detail page links the specific primary source so parents, teachers, and students can verify the citation and locate the official document.

Reading lists evolve. Caldecott Medal citations on ReadingList are reviewed on a rolling basis as primary sources publish updates. If you teach or learn under this framework and a title on this page is no longer used (or you know of one that should appear), the ReadingList methodology page explains how to submit a correction with a citation.

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Copy + paste this snippet into any school newsletter, classroom blog, library site, or homeschool resource page. The embed shows the top 12 titles and links back to the full list. Updates automatically when ReadingList’s data changes.

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Frequently asked questions

What books does Caldecott Medal include?

72 books are referenced by Caldecott Medal across applicable K-12 grade levels. Each book page cites the primary source assignment (the official curriculum standard, exemplar list, or syllabus where the title appears).

What grades does Caldecott Medal cover?

Caldecott Medal is a reading-program curriculum spanning applicable K-12 grade levels via the standards framework. Browse by grade using the grade-filter links on this page or visit /grade for the full grade index across all curricula.

Where does Caldecott Medal data come from?

Sourced from published curriculum documents + standards organizations. Cross-referenced with Common Core exemplars at achievethecore.org. Every book page on ReadingList.school cites the standards origin for that assignment.

Is Caldecott Medal required reading?

Caldecott Medal provides recommended exemplars + assignments — adoption varies by district and teacher. Always check with your school's English department for the specific required vs recommended list at your grade level.

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Citations to Caldecott Medal are based on the publicly available course framework, reading list, or prescribed text list. Each book page links to the specific source document. Last reviewed: 2026-06-20.