Caldecott and Newbery Awards

The Caldecott and Newbery Awards are both awarded by the Association for Library Service to Children, which is a division of the American Library Association. The Caledecott Medal is named after the English illustrator Randolph Caldecott and is awarded each year "to the artist of the most distinguished picture book for children published in English in the United States during the preceding year." The Newbery Medal is named after the English bookseller John Newbery and is awarded each year "to the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children published in English in the United States during the preceding year." The first Newbery Award was given in 1922. In 1938, the American Library Association began presenting the Caldecott Award. The Caldecott Medal was established as a sister award to the Newbery Medal. When the ALA began giving the Caldecott Medal annually to a picture book and illustrator, it showed their importance in children's literature.