And the Caldecott Award Goes to … Wolf in the Snow

The Caldecott Award is given every year to the artist of “the most distinguished American picture book for children. ” It is a tradition that dates back to 1937, upon the suggestion that there should be an award to honor artists in addition to the already existing Newbery Medal, which awards authors for distinguished American children’s books.

This year, the honor was given to “Wolf in the Snow,” which was illustrated and written by Matthew Cordell. The book is about a girl and a wolf cub who get lost in the snow, ultimately rescuing each other. The illustrations are in pen, ink, and watercolor.

Matthew Cordell is a children’s book author and illustrator. He lives near Chicago. Usually, the creative process for Cordell’s picture books begins with a story and grows from there. With “Wolf in The Snow,” however, it began with an illustration. After overwhelmingly positive responses about the illustration, he decided to try and make a book using the image as a starting point. Cordell didn’t know what the story would be, and he didn’t know much of anything about wolves, so he started researching. 

“Wolves are not the bloodthirsty beasts that they’ve been portrayed to be in those old stories, and often continue to be presented as in some movies, TV, books today…Once I discovered this thing, this vast misperception run amok, I immediately saw a parallel to what’s happened with wolves and humans to what’s happening with humans and… other humans. Stereotype and prejudice between different races, religions, and sexual orientations. Stereotype and prejudice between man and woman. Stereotype and prejudice run amok. And suddenly, I had my story.”

-Matthew Cordell

You can purchase his award-winning book on Amazon.