Randolph Caldecott was a British artist and illustrator, born in Chester. The Caldecott Medal was named in his honour. He exercised his art chiefly in book illustrations. His abilities as an artist were promptly and generously recognised by the Royal Academy. Caldecott greatly influenced illustration of children's books during the nineteenth century. Two books illustrated by him, priced at a shilling each, were published every Christmas for eight years.
Randolph Caldecott
Illustration for "The House that Jack Built", from The Complete Collection of Pictures & Songs, published 1887. Digitally restored
Memorial to Randolph Caldecott in Chester Cathedral
Cover of Babes in the Wood
The Randolph Caldecott Medal, frequently shortened to just the Caldecott, annually recognizes the preceding year's "most distinguished American picture book for children". It is awarded to the illustrator by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). The Caldecott and Newbery Medals are considered the most prestigious American children's book awards. Beside the Caldecott Medal, the committee awards a variable number of citations to runners-up they deem worthy, called the Caldecott Honor or Caldecott Honor Books.
Caldecott Medal
Frederic G. Melcher first proposed the idea for the Caldecott Award following the success of the Newbery Award.
Illustration by Randolph Caldecott (1878) of The Diverting History of John Gilpin, basis of the medal's obverse
Randolph Caldecott, for whom the medal is named, was an English artist and illustrator. Maurice Sendak said, "Caldecott's work heralds the beginning of the modern picture book."