Children/Young Adult Book Awards: 1940-1949

The woodland animals were all getting ready for the winter. Geese flew south, rabbits and deer grew thick warm coats, and the raccoons and chipmunks lay down for a long winter nap. Come Christmastime, the wise owls were the first to see the rainbow around the moon. It was a sure sign that the big snow was on its way.

Little Sal and Little Bear both lose their mothers while eating blueberries and almost end up with the other's mother.

Juanita captures the atmosphere of Olvera Street, the historic Latino community in downtown Los Angeles. Juanita's parents own a small shop, or puesto, which they have named after her, and one very much like those that line Olvera Street to this day. They sell brightly colored baskets, dresses, and fine lacework-all handmade. For her fourth birthday, Juanita is dressed in a beautiful rose-colored gown and is given a white dove.

On the day before Easter, Juanita takes her dove to the Old Mission Church for the annual Blessing of the Animals, along with Señora Carmela, who brings her burro, and Carlos, the leader of the procession, who brings his cow decked out in gardenias!

A story about a Chinese boy named Fish who has an adventure flying through the air attached to a large fish kite.

This is an alphabet book about things children see around a town.

When the first flakes fell from the grey sky, the postman and the farmer and the policeman and his wife scurried about doing all the practical things grownups do when a snowstorm comes. But the children laughed and danced, and caught the lacy snowflakes on thier tongues.

This story, about three hungry soldiers who outwit the greedy inhabitants of a village into providing them with a feast, is based on an old French tale.

Who knows what fantastic fish might swim in McElligot's Pool!

Anne Malcolmson, Grace Castagnetta, and Caldecott medalist Virginia Lee Burton joined forces in 1947 to produce the definitive edition of The Song of Robin Hood. Their triumphant achievement was one of the most distinctive presentations of the legend ever published, and it received a Caldecott Honor Medal in 1948.
Through meticulous research and unfailing perseverance, Anne Malcolmson rediscovered fifteen of the original ballads of Robin Hood; Grace Castagnetta adapted them to modern musical notation. Virginia Lee Burton spent three years on drawings to accompany the songs, ultimately producing a work of art filled with exquisite detail and worthy of comparison to the greatest illuminated manuscripts of the medieval era.
The text, the music, and the illustrations combine to form a harmonious and timeless work of art. There is no better way to introduce young readers to the legend of Robin Hood, or to renew a love of the tale in the hearts of those who already know the classic story. Lovingly revived and beautifully reissued, The Song of Robin Hood stands as one of the truly stunning books of our time.

Charming and fun book, gorgeously illustrated in color using pen-and-ink, about a clown who loves to make children laugh, who befriends a little boy who has lost his hat, calming his tears by showing him all the joys of the circus.

This is the story of a boy named Roger who longs to see a fox.

Once there was a little island in the ocean. That little island changes as the seasons come and go. The storm and the day and night change it. So do the lobsters and seals and gulls that stop by. Then one day a kitten visits the little island and learns a secret that every child will enjoy.

Pedro tells of the community's Christmas tradition of the "posada," a procession that reenacts Mary and Joseph's pilgrimage to Bethlehem, and of the "piñata," a papier-mâché vessel filled with toys that children break open at the Posada's end. Pedro hopes to find a music box among the toys that will spill out of the piñata. But first, he is asked to don the red wings of an angel and lead the procession. Because he not only is costumed like an angel but also sings like one, he is asked to lead the chorus in the traditional Posada song. Music and lyrics for the song are included, and with them children may create their own Posada pageant.

The Rain Came All Day And Made A Puddle That Grew To Be A Pond Which Spilled Over Into A Lake That Grew To Be A River And Finally Joined The Sea.

A busy river flows through a great city, carrying boats on their daily journeys. There are little boats and big boats, ferryboats, tugboats, a riverboat, an ocean liner, and many more.

Written in rhymed verse, this book tells of Timothy Turtle who wasn't satisfied with his easy life and longed for fame. After his exciting journey over Took-a-look hill, he was very happy to return to his ferrying business, without achieving renown.

Lyrics and music notation along with a brief story of how the hymns came to be.

Generations of children have grown up with "The Bear Went over the Mountain," "Lazy Mary," and "Yankee Doodle." here is a collection that includes these, and many more of the favorite playtime rhymes that are a lasting part of America's -- and childhood's -- heritage.

It is harvest time, and all the villagers for miles around are harvesting the wheat, except for Varya. She cannot find her mother. What does her mother look like? Her answer is, “My mother is the most beautiful woman in the world.” When her mother is finally found, she proves to be the most beautiful woman in the world—if only, perhaps, in the eyes of her small daughter.

Explains Chinese characters.

This is the story of a shepherd boy who loses his sheep and goes to look for it in the dark.

This is a collection of Mother Goose poems with musical scores to sing them.

This is a prayer written for one little girl, but it is a prayer for boys and girls all over the world. It is full of the intimate gentleness for familiar things, the love of friends and family, and the kindly protection of God. It carries a universal appeal for all ages and races, and brings to our hearts and minds the deep responsibility of preserving for all times the faith and hopes of little children.

A small boy goes for a walk in the forest and is joined by a fantastic parade of animals.

Seven-year-old Yonie is a wondernose because he can't keep his nose out of anything. It seems that his nose is always getting him into trouble. When Yonie's parents go away overnight, he's left as the man of the house and promised a special reward if he can keep himself and the farm out of trouble. But that night a bad storm brings trouble the kind that not even a full-grown man could handle easily.

Because of the war, Anna was told there would be no Christmas cakes, but she believed that Christmas Angel would make them possible.

The noted artist illustrates her own selection of seventy-six traditional nursery rhymes.

A wise tale of a little princess who wanted the moon and got it.

Night is coming and small things without words are going to sleep . . . sleepy bunnies, sleepy birds, and sleepy children, too, are getting under their covers. "Jean Charlot's illustrations are first-rate." —NYT

Pairing of illustrations of children in all kinds of activities (reading, singing and making music, taking in the stars, enjoying the outdoors, being together) with selected verses from the Bible.

Pierre liked to build ship models, but most of all he wanted the boat-in-the-bottle in Mr. LeClerc's store.

The story of a young Indian boy who wants to go hunting, but a meeting with a hungry bear causes him to think he had better go to school.

A paper horse is brought to life by a magician and brings only bad luck instead of good. After running away from his creator, Wah-Toong, and living amongst the wild horses, he returns, but causes only more bad luck. Finally, when a war breaks out, the horse brings peace to both parties and is honored with the name "Good-Luck Horse."

The story of a cute country cottage that becomes engulfed by the city that grows up around it. The house has an expressive face of windows and doors, and even the feelings of a person, so she’s sad when she’s surrounded by the dirty, noisy city’s hustle and bustle: “She missed the field of daisies / and the apple trees dancing in the moonlight.” Fortunately, there’s a happy ending, as the house is taken back to the country where she belongs.

Oliver is a tabby cat who is always the center of attention. Marshmallow is a baby rabbit who moves into Oliver's home. At first Oliver does not welcome Marshmallow, but the little bunny's charms are impossible to resist. This is the true story of how Oliver and Marshmallow become friends.

Simple rhythmic sentences present the first year in the life of two fawns.

The story about two ducks looking for a place to raise their family.

A young Tewa Indian describes the homes, customs, work, and strong communal spirit of his people.

A young Indian boy carves a little canoe with a figure inside and names him Paddle-to-the-Sea. Paddle's journey, in text and pictures, through the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean provides an excellent geographic and historical picture of the region.

Left alone when his two visible brothers are chosen as pets by a little girl and boy, an invisible puppy tries to find a way to become a dog that everyone can see and love.

Presents an alphabet of illustrations of the American spirit from its history, biography and legends.

Relates the story of the author's grandparents and parents, who, though not famous, helped build the United States.

Many children understand April's dilemma when her cat, Sheba, has three kittens. April is thrilled until her father insists that theirs is strickly a one-cat household. April must give up three cats, but which ones? The aptly named Charcoal? Tiger-striped Butch? Sweet-faced Brenda?--or even Sheba?

How April eventually comes up with the perfect solutions makes for a heartwarming story that has appealed to many young cat lovers and will continue to delight generations of children everywhere. Clare's Newberry's enchanting illustrations reflect her fondness for cats; School Library Journal deemed these "beautiful drawings, so real one wants to pet them."

America was at a crossroads in 1939 as they debated whether to join the Allies in their battle against Hitler's relentless march across Europe. As European immigrants the d'Aulaires felt keenly the importance of standing against injustice, and saw in Lincoln the archetypal American hero as he stood against the injustice of slavery. It was this spirit they hoped to exemplify in their biography of young Abe as he grew into manhood against the backdrop of the wilderness of Kentucky, the deep woods of Indiana, and the prairies of Illinois. Camping for weeks in Lincoln country, the d'Aulaires imbibed the spirit of the man Lincoln as well as his humor and good will. From his days as a clerk, teaching himself law reading Blackstone, practicing law in Springfield, running unsuccessfully for office, debating Stephen Douglas over the issue of slavery, and ultimately becoming President of the United States, the d'Aulaires have written and beautifully illustrated the life of one of America's most remarkable citizens.

The story of twelve little girls in two straight lines, the smallest one being Madeline, has delighted children for more than seventy years. Now the beloved Caldecott Honor Book is available in sturdy board book format and a reduced size perfect for small hands. While the text is slightly abridged, none of the charm of the original book is lost as a new format brings this classic title to a younger audience.

A little red rooster is raised by a family of ducks but sets off to find his others like him, and after many encounters with different birds and animals finally succeeds in finding a home of his own.

The story of Jesus, told through hymns.