For all you book lovers, this year marks the 80th year of the prestigious Caldecott Medal Award.

The Randolph Caldecott Medal annually recognizes the preceding year’s “most distinguished American picture book for children”, beginning with 1937 publications.

This award is presented to the artist (illustrator) , while the Newbery Medal is presented to the author for literature.

I knew nothing of this award until I visited our library when my children were young.  I quickly learned to spot the emblem, the gold seal affixed to the  cover of the book.  For me, it was a huge help in selecting books.  So, if you see a gold or silver (2nd place) emblem on a book, like the one below, rest assured it is an excellent book.

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Massachusetts currently has on display all eighty Caldecott winning books.  All eighty.  I was a…