The Randolph Caldecott Medal and the John Newbery Medal are perhaps the two most recognizable awards in children's literature. Both represent outstanding work in the field, and recipients of both awards are often sought out for inclusion in library collections. To receive either award would be a great accomplishment, but is one medal considered to be more prestigious than the other? 
The Newbery Medal is the world's oldest children's book award. Named for the eighteenth-century bookseller, John Newbery, the Newbery Medal is awarded annually by the American Library Association to the most distinguished American children's book published in the previous year.
The Caldecott Medal is also presented annually by the American Library Association. Named for the nineteenth-century English illustrator, Randolph Caldecott, it is awarded annually to the most distinguished picture book for children published in the previous year.
Both the Caldecott Medal and the Newbery Medal symbolize outstanding work, and recipients of both command respect. However, comparing the two would be like trying to compare apples and oranges. Books nominated for the Caldecott Medal are typically not nominated for the Newbery Medal and vise versa. The Newbery Medal is awarded to authors, and the Caldecott Medal is awarded to illustrators. Since selection committees of the two evaluate entirely different types of work, it is impossible to say that one award is better than the other. Keep an eye out for both when selecting new books, because they are equally important when building a solid children's book collection.
The Caldecott Medal is also presented annually by the American Library Association. Named for the nineteenth-century English illustrator, Randolph Caldecott, it is awarded annually to the most distinguished picture book for children published in the previous year.
Both the Caldecott Medal and the Newbery Medal symbolize outstanding work, and recipients of both command respect. However, comparing the two would be like trying to compare apples and oranges. Books nominated for the Caldecott Medal are typically not nominated for the Newbery Medal and vise versa. The Newbery Medal is awarded to authors, and the Caldecott Medal is awarded to illustrators. Since selection committees of the two evaluate entirely different types of work, it is impossible to say that one award is better than the other. Keep an eye out for both when selecting new books, because they are equally important when building a solid children's book collection.
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