Caldecott Book Awards 2025
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The Caldecott Medal honors the most beautifully illustrated picture books, celebrating stories that captivate young readers and inspire imaginations. This year’s winners and honorees showcase breathtaking art, heartfelt storytelling, and unforgettable characters—perfect for adding to your home or classroom library.
Explore the 2025 Caldecott Award books below and find your next favorite read!
Caldecott Award Winner
Chooch Helped illustrated by Rebecca Lee Kunz and written by Andrea L. Rogers
Written by award-winning author Andrea L. Rogers and beautifully illustrated by Rebecca Lee Kunz, Chooch Helped is a touching story about sibling bonds and Cherokee family traditions. Sissy’s little brother, Chooch, just turned two, but their parents still call him a “helper” no matter what he does—even when he’s making a mess. Whether it’s painting a mural, making grape dumplings, or catching crawdads, Chooch is always included. But when he disrupts Sissy’s clay pot, she finally loses patience and yells, making Chooch cry. What follows is a heartfelt family moment that many older siblings will relate to.
Caldecott Honors
Home in a Lunchbox illustrated and written by Cherry Mo
Cherry Mo’s captivating debut tells the story of Jun, a young girl who immigrates from Hong Kong to America with only a few English words—hello, thank you, I don’t know, and toilet. Her new school feels overwhelming, but comfort arrives in an unexpected place—her lunchbox. Filled with familiar favorites like bao, dumplings, and bok choy, her meals become a bridge to belonging. With breathtaking illustrations and sparse yet powerful dialogue, this heartfelt picture book beautifully explores the connection between food, friendship, and finding home.
My Daddy is a Cowboy illustrated by C.G. Esperanza and written by Stephanie Seales
Written by Stephanie Seales and illustrated by C. G. Esperanza, this beautifully crafted book celebrates Black joy, outdoor adventures, and the bond between parent and child. This highly praised picture book is about the special time together of a father and her daughter enjoying an early morning horseback ride through their city. As they ride, Daddy shares cowboy stories about friendship, community, and pride. Seeing her city from a new perspective, the girl realizes she is a cowboy too— strong and confident.
Noodles on a Bicycle illustrated by Gracey Zhang and written by Kyo Maclear
This lively historical picture book tells the story of Tokyo’s bicycle food deliverers, or demae, who skillfully carried towering trays of hot noodles through the city’s busy streets. As the demae set off each morning, children watch in awe, dreaming of riding like them. They practice balancing trays of water, hoping to one day master the art. At the end of a long day, the tired deliverymen return home to their families—and a well-earned bowl of steaming noodles. With stunning illustrations and engaging storytelling, this book is a treat for food lovers of all ages.
Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei: A Life in the Mountains illustrated by Yuko Shimizu and written by Anita Yasuda
Junko Tabei dreamed of climbing mountains, but many discouraged her—men refused to climb with her, sponsors dismissed her, and even gloves didn’t fit her hands. Determined, she led an all-women expedition to Mount Everest, facing icy peaks, deep crevasses, and even an avalanche. Step by step, she reached the summit, becoming the first woman to conquer the world’s tallest mountain. After her victory, she dedicated herself to protecting nature for future generations. With beautiful illustrations, this inspiring story celebrates a fearless woman who broke barriers and encourages us all to chase our dreams.
Bring these stunning stories to life for the little readers in your life!
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Jann Fujimoto, MS CCC-SLP is an avid reader and looks forward to the announcement of the Newbery Medal each January. She’s a speech-language pathologist and owner of SpeechWorks. SpeechWorks helps children become confidence communicators and provides in-person and online speech therapy services.
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