Caldecott Award versus Newbery Award

Both the Caldecott and Newbery Award are awarded by Library Services of Children, which is a division of the American Library Association. The Newbery and Caldecott Awarda are both awarded to books published in English.

The Newbery Award was named after English bookseller, John Newbery. This is awarded each year to an author or illustrator that is considered to have made the "most distinguished contribution to children's literature", published in the preceding year.

The Caldecott Award was named after Randolph Caldecott. This award is giving to the author or illustrator that is recognized as the "most distinguish American picture book in children's literature,"published in the United States during the preceding year.

I do not think that one award is better than the other, but rather recognize a different form of creativity. The criteria for both acknowledges creative and quality literature for children. Children's books both need story lines that can successful convey its message, but skillful and creative illustrations to catch the reader's eye. Illustration are simply visual presentations of the story. For beginning readers, illustrations allow to them enjoy literature, due to their lack of acquisition of reading skills. This is also true for students who are not proficient English. Illustrations become the opens the world of literature to these children. Also, some books that are considered to be quality literature are wordless, but yet effectively conveys the message. Sometimes book selections are based on the the front cover, which actually advertised the book. But it is also the create writing skills that captivates and maintains the reader's interest. I think that both awards acknowledge authors and illustrators that has contributed to creating lifelong readers and instill a true appreciation and admiration of literature.