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November 2, 2021 by Travis Jonker

The Randolph Caldecott Medal Should Be Renamed The Jerry Pinkney Medal

November 2, 2021 by Travis Jonker   39 comments

I have gathered you here today to lay out the case for why the Randolph Caldecott Medal, awarded to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children, should be renamed the Jerry Pinkney Medal.

Reason #1: Shouldn’t an American illustration award be named after an American?

I mean no disrespect to Randolph Caldecott. His contributions to children’s literature and specifically to the picture book form are immense. But if Randolph Caldecott were alive today, dude couldn’t even win his own award – only American citizens and residents are eligible, and Caldecott was a Brit. Renaming the award the Pinkney is more in line with the criteria for the award itself.

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Reason #2: Jerry Pinkney has earned Caldecott recognition more than almost anyone else.

As you can see here, Pinkney has the most Caldecott Honor wins ever (tied with Maurice Sendak) and is second to Marcia Brown (again, tied with Sendak) for the most overall Caldecott recognition. Doesn’t it make sense to rename the award after someone who has displayed such greatness? You know what they renamed the NBA Finals MVP trophy? The Bill Russell. Because Russell won more NBA Finals than anyone else.

Do you agree or disagree? Let me know in the comments.

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About Travis Jonker

Travis Jonker is an elementary school librarian in Michigan. He writes reviews (and the occasional article or two) for School Library Journal and is a member of the 2014 Caldecott committee. You can email Travis at scopenotes@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter: @100scopenotes.

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Comments

  1. Terry Doherty says

    November 2, 2021 at 7:27 am

    So totally agree!

  2. Stacy Dillon says

    November 2, 2021 at 10:21 am

    I’m here for this.

  3. Deborah Kovacs says

    November 2, 2021 at 10:58 am

    Agree 100%

  4. Colby Sharp says

    November 2, 2021 at 11:22 am

    100% yes.

  5. Brittany says

    November 2, 2021 at 12:37 pm

    I think if we have to do a person he’s a good choice, but why name these award after a person at all?

  6. Barbara Klipper says

    November 2, 2021 at 1:07 pm

    What a wonderful idea!

  7. Beth Saxton says

    November 2, 2021 at 2:18 pm

    If we are going to name awards after people this is an excellent choice, but I am pretty strongly in the “call it what it’s for” camp.

  8. rickag says

    November 2, 2021 at 2:21 pm

    So why Jerry Pinkney (who I adore)? You made a case against Caldecott, but not for Mr. Pinkney.

  9. Linda Klein says

    November 2, 2021 at 3:26 pm

    John Newbery was British too. Just sayin’…

  10. Esther Frazee says

    November 2, 2021 at 3:46 pm

    Absolutely!

  11. Samantha Nicholson says

    November 2, 2021 at 4:27 pm

    I definitely agree!

  12. Beth says

    November 2, 2021 at 4:52 pm

    ??????

  13. Tom A says

    November 2, 2021 at 5:39 pm

    Yes, Travis!!! Let’s make it happen. If not renaming the Caldecott, then creating a new award!

  14. Michelle Y says

    November 2, 2021 at 6:03 pm

    How about naming a lifetime achievement children’s book illustrator award after him instead? I think the Children’s Literature Legacy Award is more about the text, so it would be nice to have a corresponding award for lifetime achievement in illustration.

    • Angie Moore says

      November 6, 2021 at 10:04 am

      Love this idea!

  15. Brenda says

    November 2, 2021 at 6:04 pm

    Yes! He also got robbed for his Noah’s Ark.

  16. Kathleen Hartzler says

    November 2, 2021 at 6:39 pm

    The award should certainly be named for Jerry Pinkney!

  17. Margaret Brown says

    November 2, 2021 at 6:46 pm

    Yes, I support Pinckney Award for illustration.

  18. Sandy K says

    November 2, 2021 at 7:43 pm

    If the number of medals and honors is the determiner, then why not name it after Marcia Brown, who has 3 medals and 6 honors? A multiple-award winners list can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caldecott_Medal#Multiple_award_winners

    • Angie Moore says

      November 6, 2021 at 10:05 am

      thanks for sharing this! I’ve been trying to go through the pages of Award and Honorees for my Mock Caldecott Unit, and this is much easier! 😀

  19. Katie Leeder says

    November 2, 2021 at 9:45 pm

    100% yes! Your case is very clear.

  20. Jessi Peterson says

    November 2, 2021 at 11:29 pm

    I agree wholeheartedly that Jerry Pinckney is deserving of honors galore, but I also am ready to lean into the “this is an award for ____ of awesomeness” which makes it about the work rather than the person.

  21. Robert Zupperoli says

    November 3, 2021 at 7:20 am

    I think this is a great idea.

  22. Michele Telerski-Rees says

    November 3, 2021 at 5:52 pm

    I am a huge fan of Jerry Pickney’s work but would also prefer a new award for lifetime achievement in illustration.

  23. Liane says

    November 3, 2021 at 7:54 pm

    Yes, or Marcia Brown, also American.

  24. Robin Hoffman says

    November 3, 2021 at 8:17 pm

    This is brilliant idea and a more than appropriate recognition for his lifetime picture book achievement.

  25. Andrea Wright-Banks says

    November 3, 2021 at 8:51 pm

    Absolutely..He is an American Treasure!!

  26. Angie Moore says

    November 3, 2021 at 9:06 pm

    Oh, that would be amazing! Totally agree!

  27. Myra Zarnowski says

    November 4, 2021 at 4:16 pm

    I would love to see Jerry Pinkney receive a lifetime achievement award. His work has enriched the lives of so many many readers. It might also rekindle author and illustrator studies in schools. We could look at an illustrator’s work over time.

  28. Liz McKay says

    November 4, 2021 at 5:08 pm

    Agree agree agree!

  29. Cindy Martin says

    November 4, 2021 at 9:41 pm

    I totally agree! As a librarian, it was difficult for the children to understand why the award was names after Caldecott. I explained that Caldecott’s illustrations showed motion and that had never been done before. Say What?! Kids can not relate because of their steady diet of today’s computerized digital effects and all the other magnificent things that are prevalent today.

  30. Nicci Urti says

    November 4, 2021 at 9:41 pm

    I disagree. I don’t see the need to change the award name. Regardless of Caldecott’s background as an Englishman, his impact on history withstands the test of time. Maurice Sendak himself said, “Caldecott’s work heralds the beginning of the modern picture book.” The medal itself is so symbolic. We don’t need a new name. We need to make sure history is remembered. Create a new medal with a creative meaningful design and give it new symbolism and a new name, letting the Caldecott remain as it is.

    • MARY HOFMAN says

      November 6, 2021 at 7:34 pm

      I agree with Nicci. I love Jerry Pinkney’s illustrations. But renaming the historic medal for someone who has received Caldecott honors many times? This seems unnecessary. Pinkney has been well honored, and may yet earn honors posthumously. Changing the long held and well-known name possibly diminishes past Caldecott winners, and sets a dangerous precedent that the medal can be renamed again for the next generation’s most favored illustrator. A new life-time achievement award may be appropriate, but continue with the Caldecott medal as we have known it.

  31. Carole Weatherford says

    November 5, 2021 at 5:54 am

    Yes!!! So fitting.

  32. Angela Ferraris says

    November 6, 2021 at 4:41 pm

    I don’t agree at all. I think honoring Randolph Caldecott should be kept. Why not just have an additional Jerry Pinkney Medal instead of destroying another person’s medal?

  33. anonymous says

    November 7, 2021 at 2:16 pm

    It has been called the caldecott for so long that it is a tradition. Also, no award is renamed after the person that got it the most. With that being said, I do see your point about the award being named after an american.

  34. Debbie Zlotowitz says

    November 8, 2021 at 3:05 pm

    I totally support the renaming of the award in honor of and in many of Jerry Pinkney. He was a great artist and a great person. Love the idea.

    • Debbie Zlotowitz says

      November 8, 2021 at 3:06 pm

      Memory of

  35. Susanne says

    November 18, 2021 at 3:18 pm

    Agree 100%

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