1980 Caldecott Medal Winner & Honor Books

1980 Caldecott Medal Winner

Sale price

$858

Picture Book · Ages 2–5 · 1979

Ox-Cart Man

By Donald Hall, Barbara Cooney (Illustrator)

A New Englander journeys to market, selling goods and returning home, repeating life's seasonal cycle.

Caldecott Medal (1980)

40 pages· 656 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud

3.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 15,531 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Summary: In 19th-century New England, a farmer embarks on a seasonal journey, packing his oxcart with family-made goods. As he travels to Portsmouth Market, he sells each item, even his cherished ox, to provide for his family. With pockets full of coins, he buys essentials and returns home, ready to begin the cycle anew. What drives this timeless rhythm, and what does it reveal about life and change?

1980 Honor Books

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1979

Ben's Trumpet

By Rachel Isadora

A young jazz musician's journey echoes the vibrant 1920s.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (1979)Caldecott Honor (1980)

40 pages

4.5/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 1,666 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Summary: In the roaring twenties, young jazz musician Ben dreams of making his mark. Amidst the art-deco backdrop, his talent and ambition collide with the era's vibrant music scene. Will his passion lead to triumph or heartbreak? Discover the rhythm of a life filled with yearning and the pursuit of dreams.

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 1979

The Garden of Abdul Gasazi

By Chris Van Allsburg

A boy enters a mysterious garden where reality blurs with illusion.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (1980)Caldecott Honor (1980)

32 pages· 1,117 words· Est. 9 min read-aloud

4.0/5 Goodreads · 4,502 ratings

$18.95Save 5%

Summary: Alan Mitz stumbles into the enigmatic garden of Abdul Gasazi, where reality and illusion intertwine. Strange topiary trees and the shadowy presence of Gasazi challenge Alan's perception. Even after escaping, the garden's spell lingers, haunting his everyday life. What secrets does this surreal place hold, and can Alan truly leave it behind? Discover a world where the line between real and surreal is tantalizingly thin.

Sale price

$1615

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1978

The Treasure

By Uri Shulevitz

A dream leads Isaac to a city bridge in search of hidden treasure.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (1978)Caldecott Honor (1980)

32 pages· 381 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud

4.1/5 Goodreads · 1,190 ratings

$17.00Save 5%

Summary: Isaac dreams of a treasure beneath a bridge by the royal palace. Despite doubts, he embarks on a journey to the capital city. What awaits him there? A surprising discovery that challenges the true meaning of treasure. Will Isaac's faith in his dream lead to fortune or something far more valuable? Follow his quest in this enchanting retelling of a classic folk tale, where dreams and reality intertwine in unexpected ways.

The 1980 Caldecott Medal

Ox-Cart Man

Ben's Trumpet

The Garden of Abdul Gasazi

The Treasure

Caldecott Medal Winners by Year

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