Caldecott Medal 1960: Complete list of winners

The 1960 Caldecott Medal, one of the most prestigious honors in children’s literature, went to Marie Hall Ets for her enchanting picture book Nine Days to Christmas. This award, presented annually by the American Library Association to the most distinguished American picture book for children, has long served as a barometer for excellence in illustration and storytelling aimed at young readers. Ets’s win that year reflected the Caldecott’s commitment to recognizing works that marry beautiful artwork with narratives that genuinely resonate with children—in this case, a story about a Mexican girl’s anticipation leading up to Christmas that manages to be both culturally specific and universally relatable.

What made Ets’s victory particularly noteworthy was the way Nine Days to Christmas exemplified the award’s evolving appreciation for diverse voices and international perspectives in children’s literature. By the 1960s, the Caldecott Medal was increasingly celebrating illustrators who brought fresh artistic styles and cultural richness to the picture book format. Ets’s distinctive approach to illustration, combined with her ability to capture the emotional texture of childhood excitement, helped establish her as a formidable figure in American picture books during a transformative decade for children’s publishing.

Below, you’ll find the complete list of 1960 Caldecott Medal winners and honorees.

Picture Books

• Nine Days to Christmas by Marie Hall Ets