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    The Children's Book Review

    Caldecott Award: Randolph Caldecott Medal Winner | 2015

    Bianca SchulzeBy Bianca Schulze6 Mins Read Ages 4-8 Award Winners Best Kids Stories Book Lists Gift Books Picture Books Teens: Young Adults
    The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend By Dan Santat Illustration
    Illustration copyright © 2014 by Dan Santat: THE ADVENTURES OF BEEKLE
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    The Children’s Book Review | February 3, 2015

    Randolph Caldecott Medal Winner

    The most distinguished American picture book for children, announced by the American Library Association.

    The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend By Dan SantatThe Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend

    By Dan Santat

    Publisher’s Synopsis: This magical story begins on an island far away where an imaginary friend is born. He patiently waits his turn to be chosen by a real child, but when he is overlooked time and again, he sets off on an incredible journey to the bustling city, where he finally meets his perfect match and-at long last-is given his special name: Beekle.

    New York Times bestselling and award-winning author and illustrator Dan Santat combines classic storytelling with breathtaking art, creating an unforgettable tale about friendship, imagination, and the courage to find one’s place in the world.

    The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend By Dan Santat Illustration
    Illustration copyright © 2014 by Dan Santat THE ADVENTURES OF BEEKLE

    Ages 3-6 | Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers | 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0316199988

    Randolph Caldecott Honor Books

    Nana in the City By Lauren CastilloNana in the City 

    By Lauren Castillo

    Publisher’s Synopsis: In this magical picture book, a young boy spends an overnight visit with his nana and is frightened to find that the city where she lives is filled with noise and crowds and scary things. But then Nana makes him a special cape to help him be brave, and soon the everyday sights, sounds, and smells of the city are not scary—but wonderful. The succinct text is paired with watercolor illustrations that capture all the vitality, energy, and beauty of the city.

    Nana in the City By Lauren Castillo
    Illustration copyright © 2014 by Lauren Castillo NANA IN THE CITY

    Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Clarion Books | 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0544104433

    The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky's Abstract Art By Barb RosenstockThe Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art

    By Barb Rosenstock; Illustrated by Mary GrandPre

    Publisher’s Synopsis: Vasya Kandinsky was a proper little boy: he studied math and history, he practiced the piano, he sat up straight and was perfectly polite. And when his family sent him to art classes, they expected him to paint pretty houses and flowers—like a proper artist.

    But as Vasya opened his paint box and began mixing the reds, the yellows, the blues, he heard a strange sound—the swirling colors trilled like an orchestra tuning up for a symphony! And as he grew older, he continued to hear brilliant colors singing and see vibrant sounds dancing. But was Vasya brave enough to put aside his proper still lifes and portraits and paint . . . music?

    In this exuberant celebration of creativity, Barb Rosenstock and Mary GrandPré tell the fascinating story of Vasily Kandinsky, one of the very first painters of abstract art. Throughout his life, Kandinsky experienced colors as sounds, and sounds as colors—and bold, groundbreaking works burst forth from his noisy paint box.

    Backmatter includes four paintings by Kandinsky, an author’s note, sources, links to websites on synesthesia and abstract art.

    Read TCBR’s summary of The Noisy Paint Box in our roundup “Biographies for Young Readers: Dip into the Minds of the Greats.”

    The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky's Abstract Art By Barb Rosenstock
    Illustration copyright © 2014 by Mary GrandPre THE NOISY PAINT BOX

    Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers | 2014 | ISBN 978-0307978486

    Sam and Dave Dig a HoleSam and Dave Dig a Hole

    By Mac Barnett; Illustrated by Jon Klassen

    Publisher’s Synopsis: With perfect pacing, the multi-award-winning, New York Times best-selling team of Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen dig down for a deadpan tale full of visual humor.

    Sam and Dave are on a mission. A mission to find something spectacular. So they dig a hole. And they keep digging. And they find . . . nothing. Yet the day turns out to be pretty spectacular after all. Attentive readers will be rewarded with a rare treasure in this witty story of looking for the extraordinary — and finding it in a manner you’d never expect.

    Sam and Dave Dig a Hole By Mac Barnett , JON KLASSEN
    Illustration copyright © 2014 by Jon Klassen SAM AND DAVE DIG A HOLE

    Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Candlewick | 2014 | ISBN 978-0763662295

    Viva Frida By Yuyi MoralesViva Frida 

    By Yuyi Morales

    Publisher’s Synopsis: Frida Kahlo, one of the world’s most famous and unusual artists is revered around the world. Her life was filled with laughter, love, and tragedy, all of which influenced what she painted on her canvases.

    Distinguished author/illustrator Yuyi Morales illuminates Frida’s life and work in this elegant and fascinating book.

    Viva Frida By Yuyi Morales Illustration
    Illustration copyright © 2014 by Yuyi Morales VIVA FRIDA

    Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Roaring Brook Press | 2014 | ISBN 978-1596436039

    The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus By Jen BryantThe Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus 

    By Jen Bryant; Illustrated by Melissa Sweet

    Publisher’s Synopsis: For shy young Peter Mark Roget, books were the best companions — and it wasn’t long before Peter began writing his own book. But he didn’t write stories; he wrote lists. Peter took his love for words and turned it to organizing ideas and finding exactly the right word to express just what he thought. His lists grew and grew, eventually turning into one of the most important reference books of all time.

    Readers of all ages will marvel at Roget’s life, depicted through lyrical text and brilliantly detailed illustrations. This elegant book celebrates the joy of learning and the power of words.

    The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus By Jen Bryant Illustration
    Illustration copyright © 2014 by Melissa Sweet THE RIGHT WORD

    Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers | 2014 | ISBN 978-0802853851

    This One Summer By Mariko TamakiThis One Summer 

    By Mariko Tamaki; Illustrated by Jillian Tamaki

    Publisher’s Synopsis: Every summer, Rose goes with her mom and dad to a lake house in Awago Beach. It’s their getaway, their refuge. Rosie’s friend Windy is always there, too, like the little sister she never had. But this summer is different. Rose’s mom and dad won’t stop fighting, and when Rose and Windy seek a distraction from the drama, they find themselves with a whole new set of problems. One of the local teens – just a couple of years older than Rose and Windy – is caught up in something bad… Something life threatening.

    It’s a summer of secrets, and sorrow, and growing up, and it’s a good thing Rose and Windy have each other.

    This One Summer is a tremendously exciting new teen graphic novel from two creators with true literary clout. Cousins Mariko and Jillian Tamaki, the team behind Skim, have collaborated on this gorgeous, heartbreaking, and ultimately hopeful story about a girl on the cusp of childhood – a story of renewal and revelation.

    this-one-summer-windy-dance
    Illustration copyright © 2014 by Jillian Tamaki THIS ONE SUMMER

    Ages 12-18 | Publisher: First Second | 2014 | ISBN  978-1596437746

    Discover more Caldecott Award books by following our articles tagged with: Randolph Caldecott Medal Winners and Randolph Caldecott Honor Books.

    What to Read Next:

    1. Best Non-Fiction Picture Books of 2014
    2. Best New Picture Books | October 2017
    3. Caldecott Award: Randolph Caldecott Medal Winner | 2014
    4. Best New Picture Books | September 2016

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    ALA American Library Association Barb Rosenstock Caldecott Award Caldecott Honor Books Caldecott Medal Winners Candlewick Press Clarion Books Dan Santat Eerdmans Books for Young Readers Jen Bryant Jon Klassen Knopf Books for Young Readers Lauren Castillo Little Brown Books for Young Readers Mac Barnett Mariko Tamaki Mary GrandPré Medal Winners Melissa Sweet Most Distinguished American Picture Book Picture Books Roaring Brook Press Yuyi Morales
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    Bianca Schulze
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    Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

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