Past Newbery, Caldecott and Legacy Banquet Acceptance Speeches
The Newbery, Caldecott, Legacy Banquet is held in conjunction with the ALA Annual Meeting each year. At this special event medal winning authors and illustrators are honored and make an acceptance speech for their winning titles. These speeches are recorded by Weston Woods, use the links below to listen to some or all of the winning speeches from past winners.
About Weston Woods:
Weston Woods is the premier resource for the finest in children's literature adapted into the audiovisual medium. Their DVD's, CD's, book/CD packages and digital audios and videos have helped beginning, reluctant, struggling, gifted and English as a Second language readers fall in love with books and reading. With over 400 productions, from classics like WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE to modern-day bestsellers, there is sure to be something for everyone to enjoy.
** Access written versions of speeches **
2020s | 2010s | 2000s | 1990s | 1980s | 1970s | 1960s | 1940s
2024
Dave Eggers - Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [WAV audio file/93MB]
Vashti Harrison - Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [WAV audio file/84MB]
Pam Muñoz Ryan - Legacy Award Acceptance Speech [WAV audio file/85MB]
2023
Amina Luqman-Dawson - Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [MP3 audio file/14MB]
Doug Salati - Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech - [MP3 audio file/18MB]
James E. Ransome - Children's Literature Legacy Medal Acceptance Speech [MP3 audio file/10MB]
2022
Donna Barba Higuera - Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [MP3 audio file/28MB]
Jason Chin - Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [MP3 audio file/22MB]
Grace Lin - Legacy Medal Acceptance Speech [MP3 audio file/28MB]
2021 - due to COVID-19, the Banquet was held virtually.
Tae Keller - Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [via Youtube from the 2021 Newbery-Caldecott-Legacy Virtual Banquet]
Michaela Goade - Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [via Youtube from the 2021 Newbery-Caldecott-Legacy Virtual Banquet]
Mildred D. Taylor - Legacy Award Acceptance Speech [via Youtube from the 2021 Newbery-Caldecott-Legacy Virtual Banquet]
2020 - due to COVID-19, the Banquet was held virtually.
Jerry Craft - Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [via Youtube from The ALA Book Award Celebration]
Kadir Nelson - Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [via Youtube from The ALA Book Award Celebration]
Kevin Henkes - Legacy Award Acceptance Speech [via Youtube from The ALA Book Award Celebration]
Meg Medina - Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [MP3 audio file/11MB]
Sophie Blackall - Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [MP3 audio file/11MB]
Christopher Myers - Legacy Award Acceptance Speech on behalf of Walter Dean Myers [MP3 audio file/8MB]
2018
Erin Entrada Kelly - Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [MP3 audio file/15MB]
Matthew Cordell - Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [MP3 audio file/22MB]
Jacqueline Woodson - Legacy Award Acceptance Speech [MP3 audio file/11MB]
2017
Kelly Barnhill - Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [MP3 audio file/11MB]
Javaka Steptoe - Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [MP3 audio file/9MB]
Nikki Grimes - Wilder Medal Acceptance Speech [MP3 audio file/6MB]
2016
Listen to Matt de la Peña's Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/24MB]
Listen to Sophie Blackall's Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/22MB]
Listen to Jerry Pinkney's Wilder Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/27MB]
2015
Listen to Kwame Alexander's Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/39MB]
Listen to Dan Santat's Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link Downloads MP3 Audio File/ 28MB]
Listen to Donald Crews Wilder Acceptance Speech [Link Downloads MP3 Audio File/ 19MB]
2014
Listen to Kate DiCamillo's Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/19MB]
Listen to Brian Floca's Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/ 18MB]
2013
Listen to Katherine Applegate's Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/26MB]
Listen to Jon Klassen's Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/16MB]
Listen to Katherine Paterson’s Wilder Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/16MB]
2012
Listen to Jack Gantos Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/30MB]
Listen to Chris Raschka's Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/29MB]
2011
Listen to Clare Vanderpool's Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/27MB]
Listen to Erin Stead's Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/18MB]
Listen to Tomie dePaola’s Wilder Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/24MB]
2010
Listen to Rebecca Stead's Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/22MB]
Listen to Jerry Pinkney's Caldecott Award Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/20MB
2009
Listen to Neil Gaiman's Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/26MB]
Listen to Beth Krommes Calecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/19MB]
Listen to Ashley Bryan’s Wilder Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/14MB]
2008
Listen to Laura Amy Schlitz's Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/23MB]
Listen to Brian Selznick's Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/18MB]
2007
Listen to Susan Patron's Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/35MB]
Listen to David Wiesner's Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/26MB]
Watch video honoring James Marshall [Link downloads MP4 video file/283MB]
2006
Listen to Lynne Rae Perkins Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/18MB]
Listen to Chris Raschka's Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/26MB]
2005
Listen to Cynthia Kadohata's Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/33MB]
Listen to Kevin Henkes Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/22MB]
Listen to Laurence Yep’s Wilder Award Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/11MB]
2004
Listen to Kate DiCamillo's Newbery Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/16MB]
Listen to Mordicai Gerstein's Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/18MB
2003
Listen to Avi's Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/33MB]
Listen to Eric Rohmann's Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/ 21MB]
Listen to Eric Carle’s Wilder Award Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/15MB]
2002
Listen to Linda Sue Park’s Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/29MB]
Listen to David Wiesner's Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/29MB]
2001
Listen to Richard Peck’s Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/19MB]
Listen to David Small’s Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/21MB]
Listen to Milton Meltzer’s Wilder Award Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/17MB]
2000
Listen to Christopher Paul Curtis’s Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/32MB]
Listen to Simms Taback’s Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/20MB]
1999
Listen to Louis Sachar’s Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/28MB]
Listen to Mary Azarian’s Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/21MB]
1998
Listen to Karen Hesse’s Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/27MB]
Listen to Paul O. Zelinsky’s Caldecott Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/28MB]
Listen to Russell Freedman’s Wilder Award Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/16MB]
1997
Listen to E.L. Konigsburg’s Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/34MB]
Listen to David Wisniewski’s Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/20MB]
1996
Listen to Karen Cushman’s Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/26MB]
Listen to Peggy Rathmann’s Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/10MB]
1995
Listen to Sharon Creech’s Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/28MB]
Listen to David Diaz’s Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/12MB]
Listen to Virginia Hamilton’s Wilder Award Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/20MB]
1994
Listen to Lois Lowry’s Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/28MB]
Listen to Allen Say’s Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/17MB]
1993
Listen to Cynthia Rylant’s Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/15MB]
Listen to Emily Arnold McCully’s Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/21MB]
1992
Listen to Phyllis Reynolds Naylor’s Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/26MB]
Listen to David Wiesner’s Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/19MB]
Listen to Marcia Brown’s Wilder Award Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/36MB]
1991
Listen to Jerry Spinelli’s Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/22MB]
Listen to David Macaulay’s Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/32MB]
1990
Listen to Lois Lowry’s Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/31MB]
Listen to Ed Young’s Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/18MB]
1989
Listen to Paul Fleishchman’s Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/32MB]
Listen to Stephen Gammell’s Caldecott Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/XXMB] --- Coming Soon!
Listen to Elizabeth George Speare’s Wilder Award Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/19MB]
1988
Listen to Russell Freedman’s Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/34MB]
Listen to John Schoenherr’s Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/8MB]
1987
Listen to Sid Fleischman’s Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/18MB]
Listen to Richard Egielski’s Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/7MB]
1986
Listen to Patricia MacLachlan’s Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/20MB]
Listen to Chris Van Allsburg’s Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/14MB]
Listen to Jean Fritz’s Wilder Award Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/XXMB] --- Coming Soon!
1985
Listen to Robin McKinley’s Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/31MB]
Listen to Trina Schart Hyman’s Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/38MB]
1984
Listen to Beverly Cleary’s Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/37MB]
Listen to Martin Provensen’s Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/16MB]
1983
Listen to Cynthia Voigt’s Newberry Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/30MB]
Listen to Marcia Brown’s Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/36MB]
Listen to Maurice Sendak’s Wilder Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/23MB]
1982
Listen to Nancy Willard’s Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/19MB]
Listen to Chris Van Allsburg’s Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/12MB]
1981
Listen to Katherine Paterson’s Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/38MB]
Listen to Arnold Lobel’s Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/19MB]
1980
Listen to Joan W. Blos Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/17MB]
1979
Listen to Ellen Raskin’s Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/23MB]
Listen to Paul Goble’s Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/9MB]
1978
Listen to Katherine Paterson’s Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/25MB]
Listen to Peter Spier’s Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/21MB]
1977
1976
Listen to Susan Cooper’s Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/20MB]
Listen to Diane Dillon’s Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/16MB]
1973
Listen to Jean Craighead George’s Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/40MB]
Listen to Blair Lent’s Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/13MB]
1971
Listen to Gail E. Haley's Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/13MB]
1968
Listen to E.L. Konigsburg Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/17MB]
Listen to Ed Emberley's Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/13MB]
1965
Listen to Maia Wojciechowska's Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/23MB]
Listen to Beni Montresor's Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/40MB]
1964
Listen to Emily Neville's Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/34MB]
Listen to Maurice Sendak's Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/22MB]
1963
Listen to Madeleine L'Engle's Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/20MB]
Listen to Ezra Jack Keats Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/16MB]
1962
Listen to Elizabeth George Speare's Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/20MB]
Listen to Marcia Brown's Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/23MB]
1960
Listen to Joseph Krumgold's Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/23MB]
Listen to Marie Hall Ets Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/13MB]
1948
Listen to Roger Duvoisin's Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/8MB]
1945
Listen to Robert Lawson's Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/23MB]
Listen to Elizabeth Orton Jones Caldecott Medal Acceptance Speech [Link downloads MP3 audio file/9MB]
