Picture book
In 1938, the American Library Association (ALA) began presenting annually the Caldecott Medal to the most distinguished children's book illustration published in the year. The Caldecott Medal was established as a sister award to the ALA's Newbery Medal, which was awarded to a children's books "for the most distinguished American children's book published the previous year" and presented annually beginning in 1922. During the mid-forties to early fifties, honorees included Marcia Brown, Barbara Cooney, Roger Duvoisin, Berta and Elmer Hader, Robert Lawson, Robert McCloskey, Dr. Seuss, Maurice Sendak, Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire, Leo Politi, Tasha Tudor, and Leonard Weisgard.
Mary and Conrad Buff
Mary and Conrad Buff have been recognized as significant contributors to American children's literature. Several times they were among the runners-up for a Caldecott Medal or a Newbery Medal from the professional librarians, the most prestigious American children's book awards. The Caldecott Medal recognizes the illustrator of the previous year's "most distinguished American picture book for children"; they were runners-up for "Dash and Dart" in 1943. The Newbery Medal recognizes the writer of the "most distinguished contribution to American literature for children"; the Buffs were runners-up for "Big Tree" in 1947, "The Apple and the Arrow" in 1952, and "Magic Maize" in 1954.