Caldecott Medal 1997: Complete list of winners

The 1997 Caldecott Medal went to David Wisniewski’s extraordinary Golem, a picture book that demonstrated just how inventive children’s literature could be. Wisniewski’s acclaimed cut-paper illustrations brought the classic Jewish legend to stunning visual life, transforming a centuries-old tale about a creature made of clay into something that felt both timeless and contemporary. The Caldecott Medal, awarded annually by the American Library Association to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children, has always celebrated innovation in illustration, and Golem was no exception—its intricate silhouettes and dramatic compositions proved that picture books were serious artistic endeavors deserving of major recognition.

What made Wisniewski’s victory particularly significant was how it highlighted the diversity of artistic techniques that could captivate young readers. While picture books sometimes relied on conventional watercolor or watercolor-adjacent approaches, Golem’s papercut aesthetic stood out as bold, sophisticated, and technically masterful. The 1997 Caldecott Medal winner reminded the literary world that children’s illustration was a field where genuine artistic risk-taking could flourish, where an illustrator could challenge conventions and still create something that resonated powerfully with its intended audience.

Below, you’ll find more details about this year’s standout achievement in children’s book illustration.

Picture Books

• Golem by David Wisniewski