Thirty-five beloved illustrations jump out of their respective children’s books and onto the walls of the Central Library’s Rocky and Gabriella Mountain Gallery in the exhibition Young at Art. Each of the 31 artists behind those drawings has been awarded a Caldecott Medal. But why?

Learn what makes an illustrated children’s book award-worthy from a panel of individuals who’ve served on the Caldecott selection committee. The Library’s April Roy, former Johnson County Public Library youth librarian Bradley Debrick, and Naphtali Faris of the Mid-Continent Public Library share behind-the-scenes stories about selecting a Caldecott Award winner.

The discussion is moderated by the Kansas City Public Library’s deputy director for youth and family engagement, Crystal Faris. It illuminates the selection process and highlights some history-making moments and special considerations the panelists faced over the years they served on the committee.

Young at Art is on display through October 5, 2022.