Living Canon

Caldecott Medal 2025: Complete list of winners

The American Library Association announced the 2025 Caldecott Medal winner, honoring the year’s most distinguished contribution to children’s picture book illustration. Rebecca Lee Kunz’s Chooch Helped claimed the prestigious award, recognizing her exceptional artistry in bringing stories to life for young readers. The Caldecott Medal remains one of the most coveted honors in children’s literature, celebrating illustrators whose artwork transcends mere decoration to become an essential voice in the narrative itself.

Kunz’s win reflects the ongoing evolution of picture books as a serious artistic medium, where illustration carries equal weight to text in engaging young audiences. The 2025 Caldecott Medal selection process, which draws on nominations from librarians and children’s literature professionals across the country, continues to champion diverse artistic styles and storytelling approaches that resonate with contemporary readers. This year’s recognition underscores how powerful visual narratives remain central to early literacy and childhood wonder.

Below you’ll find the complete details about this year’s Caldecott Medal winners and honorees, along with information about what makes their work stand out in the landscape of children’s publishing.

Picture Books