Caldecott Versus Newbery Award: What are they?

The Caldecott Award was designed and established in 1937. Rene Paul Chambelan designed the medal made of bronze.  Each year, the winning author's name is engraved on the back of the medal. The A.M.A. (American Library Association) gives this award each year to the author with the most distinquished book in the preceding year.  For years the Newbery Medal was awarded, but there developed a push to award picture books and the artists that illustrated them.  The medal is given in honor of English illustrator Randolph J. Caldecott, for his outstanding work in the nineteenth-century. Any books that are runner-ups are given the title 'honor book'

     The Caldecott Award was designed and established in 1937. Rene Paul Chambelan designed the medal made of bronze.  Each year, the winning illustrator's name is engraved on the back of the medal. The A.M.A. (American Library Association) gives this award each year to the author with the most distinquished book in the preceding year. The criteria is based on the quality of artwork and how well the artwork helps tell the story in a satisfying way.  Since pictures are worth a thousand words, the illustrator has a daunting challenge, and an important one at that.  For years the Newbery Medal was awarded, but there developed a push to award picture books and the artists that illustrated them.  The medal is given in honor of English illustrator Randolph J. Caldecott, for his outstanding work in the nineteenth-century. Any books that are runner-ups are given the title 'honor book'
     The Newbery Award was named after John Newberry, the eighteenth-century British juvenile bookseller.  Each year the award is given by the A.L.A. to the author of the most distinquished contribution to American literature for children.  This award was first given in 1922 and continues to today.  The award was the first like it in the world. The award like the Caldecott, was also designed by Rene Paul Chamebellan. Like the Caldecott, runner-ups also are given 'honor book' awards.
     Both awards are considered to be the most prestigious book awards in the U.S.  Each January the award is announced and presented.  When this happens, bookstores usually sell out of these books quickly.

 Which Award is Better to Receive?

    As to whether one award is better than another is up for debate.  I consider the Newbery Award to be the most prestigious just due to the fact that the criteria is based on quality of writing versus the quality of illustration.  After all, good writing including the plot dynamics is what makes a quality book.  The illustrations can play a powerful role in making a book higher quality, but it is usually the quality of plot and writing style that determines if a book is great or not.  This is just my opinion though.