The American Library Association has just announced its 2026 Youth Media award-winners: outstanding books, video and audiobooks for children and young adults.
The Randolph Caldecott Medal recognizes the most distinguished American picture book for children. This year’s winner was “Fireworks,” written by Matthew Burgess, illustrated by Catia Chien, and reviewed in this column in December 2025. Four Caldecott honor books were also named.
- In “Our Lake” (2025, Kokila Books, written and illustrated by Angie Kang, ages 4-8), a big brother takes his little brother on a hike to a lake, like their father used to do. “‘Be careful,’ Brother warns. ‘The hike up is long and steep.’ I nod like I’m not afraid.”
At the top, Younger Brother watches as his older brother presses his arms to his head and dives neatly into the lake from a rock above, emerging “wet and triumphant.”
Soft, glowing watercolor illustrations portray the wonder of these moments and the beauty of their surroundings.
As his older brother encourages him to jump, Younger Brother narrates, “Suddenly my stomach is full of stones. How did I ever do this before?”
He closes his eyes. “On the inside of my eyelids, I see Father,” we read, as the illustrations show their father showing the two brothers how to stretch, soar and dive into the water. “Father’s laugh leaps through my bones, making them bird-light.”
With his insides humming with his father’s joy, Younger Brother dives, seeing Father’s image under the water, meeting him as he splashes in. “Here in our lake, the water holds us close,” we read at the end. “Here, in our lake, we are all together.”
This is a poignant story of loss, courage and remembrance.
- “Stalactite & Stalagmite: A Big Tale from a Little Cave,” (2025, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, written and illustrated by Drew Beckmeyer, ages 4-9) tells the history of the world from the perspective of a stalactite and stalagmite forming inside a cave. Child-like mixed-media illustrations show the world outside the cave along with the world within as we’re introduced to the main characters: “Hello, nub down there,” Stalactite says. “Hello, nub up there. You are dripping on my head,” says Stalagmite.
“Does it feel good?”
“Yes, it does.”
“I think we will get along just fine, then.”
Outside the cave, we see volcanoes erupting. Then we read, “Drip. Drip. Drip,” and turn the page as time passes. With each page turn, we meet a trilobite and other ancient creatures who come and go, including a dinosaur. All the while, our main characters continue to slowly grow bigger. When we meet a bat, we have to turn the book upside down to read the text. Then we see the first humans in the cave, natives making drawings, then miners, and then groups touring the cave. By now, Stalagmite and Stalactite have grown very close together, until finally they meet, taking us into the future.
This book accomplishes a lot, using a friendly, relaxed tone filled with wonder, humor and emotion.
The other two Caldecott honor books were “Every Monday Mabel” (2025, Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, written and illustrated by Jashar Awan) and “Sundust,” (2025, Kokila, written and illustrated by Zeke Peña).
