Annal:1996 Randolph Caldecott Medal
From AwardAnnals
Results of the Randolph Caldecott Medal in the year 1996. For a ranked list of books, try an honor roll:
- 1996 Caldecott winner
- Score: 10.46
None of the children listen when Officer Buckle gives his talk about safety tips. But when Gloria the police dog accompanies Officer Buckle, his speech is suddenly in huge demand. When the talk is videotaped, Officer Buckle discovers the real secret to his popularity—Gloria’s slapstick enactment of what happens when you don’t follow the tips.
Rathman’s humorous illustrations contain a lot of feeling, and her portrayal of the earnest Officer Buckle and the expressive yet well-meaning Gloria is priceless.
- 1996 Caldecott honor
- Score: 6.46
The urban landscape will never look the same again. As Stephen T. Johnson demonstrates in a series of strikingly realistic pastels and watercolors, a simple sawhorse can contain the letter “A”—while lampposts alongside a highway can form a row of elegant, soaring Ys. This sophisticated, wordless alphabet book is sure to appeal to young and old alike.
- 1996 Caldecott honor
- Score: 6.46
When this book begins, the trombone is playing all by itself. But soon a trumpet makes a duet, a french horn a trio, and so on until the entire orchestra is assembled on stage. Written in elegant and rhythmic verse and illustrated with playful and flowing artwork, this unique counting book is the perfect introduction to musical groups. Readers of all ages are sure to shout “Encore!” when they reach the final page of this joyous celebration of classical music.
Robert D. San Souci, Brian Pinkney
- 1996 Caldecott honor
- Score: 6.46
Sometime in the last centuary, on the lush Caribbean island of Martinique, two young men embarked on a fateful journey crossed by zombies, ghosts, and curses…
Clement and Hippolyte are handsome, sharp-witted, and as close as brothers. When Clement falls in love with enchanting Pauline, he bids Hippolyte to join his quest to court her, and the two friends set out toward danger and adventure.
Pauline is ward of the mysterious Monsieur Zabocat—a plantation owner reputed to be a quimboiseur, a wizard—and, defying his wishes, Pauline joins her new fiancé and his friend on their trek home. But the fruited fields and forests they traverse hide dark forces plotting to destroy the couple…and one night—Tam! Tam! Tamtamtam!—the distant sound of a drum lures Hippolyte into a deadly trap that forces him to choose between his friend’s safety and his own.
Robert D. San Souci and Brian Pinkney again combine their talents to bring to life a West Indian folktale that draws upon African, European, and South American traditions and imagery. The result is an extraordinary tale…
- 1996 Caldecott honor
- Score: 6.46
Hare solves his family’s problems by tricking rich and lazy Bear in this funny, energetic version of an old slave story. With roots in American slave tales, Tops & Bottoms celebrates the trickster tradition of using one’s wits to overcome hardship. “As usual, Stevens’ animal characters, bold and colorful, are delightful…. It’s all wonderful fun, and the book opens, fittingly, from top to bottom instead of from side to side, making it perfect for story-time sharing.”—Booklist
