Caldecott Medal 2002: Complete list of winners

David Wiesner’s The Three Pigs claimed the 2002 Caldecott Medal, cementing the award’s continued celebration of visual storytelling at its finest. This picture book, a radically inventive reimagining of the classic fairy tale, shows why the Caldecott Medal remains literature’s most prestigious honor for children’s illustration. Wiesner’s signature style—intricate, playful, and utterly imaginative—transformed a familiar story into something that feels entirely fresh, proving that the best picture books can captivate young readers without a single word of text.

The 2002 Caldecott Medal winner stands out for its metafictional brilliance: Wiesner’s pigs don’t just escape the wolf, they literally step out of the pages of their story and into blank space, where they encounter other characters and narratives. It’s a daring concept that could have felt gimmicky in lesser hands, but Wiesner executes it with such charm and visual wit that readers of all ages find something new to discover with each reading. The award underscores how the Caldecott Medal consistently recognizes illustration that pushes creative boundaries while remaining utterly engaging to children.

Below, discover the complete roster of 2002 Caldecott Medal winners and honorees:

Picture Books

• The Three Pigs by David Wiesner