Caldecott Medal 1939: Complete list of winners

The 1939 Caldecott Medal marked a significant moment in the history of children’s literature, recognizing Mei Li by Thomas Handforth as the year’s most distinguished American picture book. Established just four years earlier in 1935, the Caldecott Medal was still finding its footing as the premier award for illustration in children’s books, and Handforth’s win demonstrated the award’s growing influence in elevating the artistry of the picture book form. The selection of Mei Li, with its vivid depiction of a young Chinese girl’s adventures during the New Year celebration, reflected the award committee’s interest in expanding children’s horizons through culturally rich storytelling and masterful illustration.

Handforth’s achievement was particularly notable for bringing authentic artistic detail and warmth to his portrayal of Chinese life and culture at a time when such representation in American children’s books was relatively uncommon. The Caldecott Medal winner of 1939 helped establish a template for how picture books could serve both as artistic statements and as windows into different worlds for young readers. The award’s prestige would only grow in the decades to follow, but 1939 was already a year that demonstrated its power to shape which stories and illustrations would endure in the collective memory of American childhood.

Below, you’ll find the complete details of the 1939 Caldecott Medal recognition and what made this year’s selection resonate with judges and readers alike.

Picture Books

• Mei Li by Thomas Handforth