ThisOneSummer-blue_100-183
Prestigious U.S. Children’s Book Illustration Award

by BK Munn
The American Library Association announced its Caldecott Medal recipients on Tuesday. Every year since 1938 the group’s Service To Children division has handed out a medal named in honour of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott to “the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.” As well, several other artists’ works are named as “Caldecott Honor” books. This year the medal winner was The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, illustrated and written by Dan Santat. Jillian Tamaki was named as a Caldecott Honor winner for her contribution to This One Summer (written by her cousin Mariko Tamaki). The Association had this to say about her work:
“Intricately detailed illustrations in shades of indigo are masterfully layered with the text in this graphic novel. The pacing and strong imagery evoke myriad emotions and ground this poignant and painfully realistic coming-of-age story.”
Future editions of the book will now sport the distinctive Caldecott foil stamp. Tamaki also won the 2014 Governor Generals Award for Illustration for the book.
award site