Living Canon

Caldecott Medal 1967: Complete list of winners

The 1967 Caldecott Medal recognized a delightfully imaginative picture book that captured something essential about childhood wonder and the fine line between creative play and troublemaking. Evaline Ness’s Sam, Bangs & Moonshine took home the medal that year, winning over judges with its charming exploration of a young girl’s vivid fantasy life and the consequences of spinning tales a bit too tall. Ness brought her distinctive artistic style to the pages, creating illustrations that perfectly complemented the story’s whimsical yet grounded narrative about a girl nicknamed “Bangs” whose elaborate fibs land her in hot water—and ultimately lead to an important lesson about honesty and responsibility.

The Caldecott Medal, awarded annually since 1938 by the American Library Association, has long served as the gold standard for picture book illustration in the United States. By the late 1960s, the award had become a trusted marker of quality that librarians, parents, and educators relied on to identify exceptional children’s literature. Ness’s win was particularly noteworthy for celebrating a book that tackled real childhood behavior with both humor and heart, proving that picture books could be both entertaining and genuinely meaningful. This award remains one of the most prestigious honors in children’s literature, and the 1967 winner continues to charm new generations of young readers discovering the magical world of Sam and her tall tales.

Below are the complete details of this year’s Caldecott Medal honors:

Picture Books