For immediate release | January 27, 2025

Erin Entrada Kelly, Rebecca Lee Kunz win Newbery, Caldecott Medals

PHOENIX — Erin Entrada Kelly, author of “The First State of Being,” and Rebecca Lee Kunz, illustrator of “Chooch Helped,” are the 2025 recipients of the John Newbery and Randolph Caldecott Medals, the most prestigious awards in children’s literature.

Kelly and Kunz were among the award winners announced today by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), during the ALA’s LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience held January 24 – 27 in Phoenix. The Newbery and Caldecott Medals honor outstanding writing and illustration of works published in the United States during the previous year.

The Newbery for the most distinguished contribution to children’s literature went to Kelly for “The First State of Being,” published by Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

In this masterful blend of science and historical fiction, Kelly captures the essence of 1999 from the music and malls to the collective uncertainty of Y2K. Twelve-year-old Michael and his babysitter Gibby meet Ridge, who is from the future. Ridge teaches them that with every breath they take they’re contributing to history.

We were wowed by Kelly’s ability to blend genres in a complex, compelling story that leaves readers knowing that each of us matters,said Newbery Medal Committee Chair Maeve Visser Knoth.

Kelly has won numerous awards, including the 2018 Newbery Medal for “Hello, Universe,” a 2021 Newbery Honor for “We Dream of Space.” She currently lives in Delaware, teaches at Hamline University, and enjoys visiting readers at schools around the world.

The 2025 Caldecott for the most distinguished picture book is awarded to Kunz for “Chooch Helped,” written by Andrea L. Rogers and published by Levine Querido.

Sissy’s brother, Chooch, loves to “help.” However, his contributions often cause frustrations. “Chooch Helped” is a touching depiction of sibling relationships, family and the importance of making mistakes. Collaged textiles, watercolor and Indigenous motifs celebrate Cherokee culture and language in a universal story all families can see themselves in.

“Through deftly layered lines, textures and Cherokee iconography, Kunz masterfully renders a new yet classic story of sibling rivalry — every element is truly a revelation,” said Caldecott Medal Committee Chair Hanna Lee.

Kunz is a multimedia artist in Santa Fe, New Mexico. A citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, her work draws upon traditional iconography and is greatly inspired by mythic and archetypical symbolism. “Chooch Helped” is her debut picture book.

Four Newbery Honor Books were named:

“Across So Many Seas” by Ruth Behar and published by Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House

“Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All,” written and illustrated by Chanel Miller and published by Philomel, an imprint of Penguin Random House

“One Big Open Sky” by Lesa Cline-Ransome and published by Holiday House

“The Wrong Way Home” by Kate O’Shaughnessy, A Borzoi Book, published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House

Four Caldecott Honor Books were named:

“Home in a Lunchbox,” illustrated and written by Cherry Mo and published by Penguin Workshop, an imprint of Penguin Random House

“My Daddy Is a Cowboy,” illustrated by C.G. Esperanza, written by Stephanie Seals and published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS

“Noodles on a Bicycle,” illustrated by Gracey Zhang, written by Kyo Maclear, and published by Random House Studio, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House

“Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei: A Life in the Mountains,” illustrated by Yuko Shimizu, written by Anita Yasuda and published by Clarion Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers

Members of the 2025 Newbery Medal Selection Committee are Chair Maeve Visser Knoth, Phillips Brooks School, Menlo Park, California; Ingha Chopra, Santa Monica Public Library, California; Dr. Desiree W. Cueto, University of Arizona; Kelly Kreps Depin, Brooks Free Library, Harwich, Massachusetts; Alyson R. Feldman-Piltch, Beechlands Consulting, Bucks County, Pennsylvania; Jillian C. Frasher, Boone County Public Library, Burlington, Kentucky; Shannan Hicks, Librarian Barbie, Shreveport, Louisiana; Sara L. Kelley, Dallas Public Library; Amy M. Laughlin; Greenwich Library, Connecticut; Erica T. Marks, Cleveland Public Library, Ohio; Dr. Linda T. Parsons, Ohio State University; Tanya A. Prax, Arapahoe Libraries, Englewood, Colorado; Sarah Frances Rodriguez, Scarsdale Public Library, New York; Michael A. Rogalla, Champaign Public Library, Illinois; Carrie Shaurette, Darien Library, Connecticut; and Award Administrative Assistant Georgette E. Spratling, North Maimi Public Library, Florida.

Members of the 2025 Caldecott Medal Selection Committee are Chair Hanna Lee, University of Mississippi; Beatrice Elizabeth Canales, San Antonio College - Early Childhood Studies; Aryssa F. Damron, District of Columbia Public Schools; Dr. Colette Drouillard, Valdosta State University; Rachée Fagg, The Upper Darby Township and Sellers Memorial Free Public Library, Pennsylvania; Ellen Gittes, Greenwich Country Day School, Connecticut; Krishna Grady, Greenwich Library, Connecticut; Kevin Kelley, New York Public Library; Angela Leeper, University of Richmond, Virginia; Rachel Anne Mencke, St. Matthew's Parish School, California; Patty Gonzales Ramirez, Retired, Texas; Stephanie Saggione, ASPIRA Academy, Delaware; Soraya Silverman-Montano, Seattle Public Library; Sarah Stippich, Miquon School, Pennsylvania; Lisa Von Drasek, University of Minnesota; and Award Administrative Assistant Allie Genia, District of Columbia Public Schools.

About the American Library Association

The American Library Association (ALA) is the only non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated entirely to America's libraries and library professionals. For almost 150 years, ALA has provided resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. The ALA serves academic, public, school, government, and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library's role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit www.ala.org

About the Association for Library Service to Children

ALSC, a division of the American Library Association, is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 3,300 children’s and youth librarians, literature experts, publishers and educational faculty, ALSC is committed to creating a better future for all children through libraries. Visit www.ala.org/alsc. For information on the John Newbery and Randolph Caldecott Medals and other ALA Youth Media Awards, please visit www.ala.org/yma.

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