Living Canon

Caldecott Medal 1985: Complete list of winners

The 1985 Caldecott Medal celebrated a stunning return to classic storytelling, with Trina Schart Hyman’s Saint George and the Dragon claiming the year’s most prestigious honor for children’s picture book illustration. Hyman’s luminous watercolors brought Margaret Hodges’ retelling of this timeless legend to vivid life, earning recognition from the American Library Association for excellence that would resonate with readers for decades to come. The award acknowledged not just technical mastery, but the illustrator’s ability to infuse a centuries-old tale with emotional depth and visual splendor that captivated both children and adults alike.

What made Hyman’s win particularly significant was the way it honored traditional illustration techniques in an era increasingly influenced by newer artistic movements. Her meticulous attention to period detail and her richly textured approach to color created a world that felt both historically grounded and fantastical—a balance that demonstrates why the Caldecott Medal remains such an important barometer of excellence in children’s literature. The 1985 Caldecott winner represented a moment when the award’s judges chose to celebrate timeless elegance and narrative illustration at its most accomplished.

Below, you’ll find complete details about this year’s distinguished selection and what made Saint George and the Dragon stand out among the competition.

Picture Books