Jewel Davis, Instructional Materials Center librarian and the Martha and Nancy Lee Bivens Distinguished Professor in App State’s University Libraries, chaired the committee that selected the 2026 Randolph Caldecott Medal winner for best children’s picture book published in 2025. Davis is pictured in her office with the winning title, “Fireworks.” Photo by Chase Reynolds
BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University’s Jewel Davis knows what makes a picture book unforgettable. As chair of the committee that selected the winner for this year’s prestigious Randolph Caldecott Medal, she read more than 800 children’s books in 2025, weighing which illustrated stories would leave a lasting impression on young readers.
Davis, Instructional Materials Center librarian and the Martha and Nancy Lee Bivens Distinguished Professor in App State’s University Libraries, said the process was more than an honor — it was an opportunity to elevate stories that could spark a love of reading in a new generation.
“The chance to help select the most distinguished picture book of the year, knowing that millions of children will read it, is a profound responsibility and a career dream,” said Davis. “Realizing that this decision will shape children’s lives forever is monumental, and I’m proud of the impact it will make.”
That impact is also reflected through her work at App State: Davis brings her expertise directly to students, guiding future educators, librarians and storytellers with lessons that will shape classrooms and communities for years to come.
“Literacy, reading, research and lifelong learning are the foundation of every library,” said University Libraries Dean Sue Polanka. “It is our duty to engage users with high-quality reading materials, helping them learn, understand and find acceptance and belonging in their world — and I hope every child has access to a librarian as caring and knowledgeable as professor Davis.”
Among her many roles, Davis manages the university’s Instructional Materials Center — which serves as a model pre-K–12 school media center — teaches library courses in collaboration with the Reich College of Education and leads outreach to K–12 schools across northwest North Carolina, as well as professional development programs for school librarians, in-service educators and App State students who are pre-service teachers preparing for the classroom.
That experience is what led to her being appointed to a national leadership role in children’s literature.
Jewel Davis led 14 distinguished librarians from across the country in selecting the 2026 Randolph Caldecott Medal winner — a role she described as both challenging and deeply rewarding. Davis is the Instructional Materials Center librarian and Martha and Nancy Lee Bivens Distinguished Professor in App State’s University Libraries. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Selecting the Caldecott winner
The American Library Association’s Caldecott Medal is the most celebrated award for picture books in the nation, honoring artistic excellence and influence on young readers since 1937.
Davis was appointed to lead 14 distinguished librarians from across the country in selecting the 2026 winner — a role she described as both challenging and deeply rewarding.
“My vision was really grounded in human-centered leadership,” she said. “I wanted the committee to move slowly and thoughtfully, and that intentional pacing built trust, which strengthened our work and helped us come to a consensus. I had to recognize that disagreement is both expected and valuable. Each committee member brings a deep well of experience in youth literature, so we feel very strongly about our decisions.”
Davis and her team selected “Fireworks,” written by Matthew Burgess and illustrated by Cátia Chien, as this year’s Caldecott Medal winner.
“Every person who picks up this book will find moments of universal joy in childhood,” Davis said. “What makes ‘Fireworks’ truly distinguished is how fully the illustrations translate that joy onto the page. There’s as much wonder in children splashing in a fire hydrant as there is in a sky full of fireworks — and while the finale might be the fireworks, the real magic is in the shared moments that lead up to it.”
Davis said she hopes this selection reinforces how deeply picture books matter — not only for children, but also for the adults who teach them and read them to their own kids.
“I hope this affirms the value of engaging deeply with children’s literature, as both an artistic practice and a shared human experience,” said Davis. “These books have universal lessons and stories that can reach us all if we just open ourselves to the possibility of what’s within these pages.”
The 2026 Randolph Caldecott Medal for best children’s picture book was awarded to “Fireworks,” written by Matthew Burgess and illustrated by Cátia Chien. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Preparing the next generation of librarians
In selecting the Caldecott Medal winner, Davis applied the same philosophies that guide her teaching at App State. She said she strongly encourages her education students to consider the relevance of contemporary literature.
“I challenge them to remember that today’s picture books are written for today’s children,” she said. “The classics will always be there, but the contemporary books reflect the lives, questions and experiences of children who are actually navigating the world now. Distinguished books today are representative, powerful and deeply respect young readers — that’s the standard I think is worth continuing to uphold.”
Davis said that chairing the Caldecott Award Selection Committee has brought new perspectives to her classroom, expanding her knowledge of children’s literature and giving her added confidence in her teaching and daily work.
“It’s less about changing my practice and more about sharpening what I’ve already begun to develop in my career,” she said. “I now feel like I’m better able to help students see how individual books sit within the larger landscape of visual storytelling, and I can talk more firmly about quality and distinction, with greater specificity.”
As App State students prepare for their own library careers, Davis emphasized the importance of collaborative decision-making — a central component of the profession.
“Some of the strongest moments in this process came from listening, being open and having our thinking challenged,” she said. “It really allowed our ideas to evolve through discussion. What makes the work successful is having a shared commitment to trust one another and to be open to learning from one another. I think with this in mind, we can transform the world.”
DeAndra Miller, a teaching assistant professor in App State’s Department of English whose pen name is DeAndra Davis, received the American Library Association’s 2026 William C. Morris Award for her novel “All the Noise at Once.” The Morris Award honors a debut book for teens by a first-time author. Photo submitted
Dual national honors highlight App State’s impact
While Davis chaired the committee that selected the 2026 Caldecott Medal, App State’s DeAndra Miller received the American Library Association’s 2026 William C. Morris Award, which honors a debut book for teens by a first-time author. Miller, whose pen name is DeAndra Davis, is a teaching assistant professor in App State’s Department of English.
Her winning novel, “All the Noise at Once,” tells the story of a Black autistic teen trying to make sense of the night his older brother was unjustly arrested, exploring themes of brotherhood, identity and justice.
Miller, an autistic and neurodivergent Jamaican-American author, holds a Master of Fine Arts in fiction from Florida International University. She joined App State's Department of English in August 2025, teaching creative writing courses.
Both the Caldecott and Morris honors were announced at ALA’s 2026 Youth Media Awards in Chicago on Jan. 26.
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About University Libraries
University Libraries at Appalachian State University serves the students, faculty and staff of App State’s Boone and Hickory campuses, contributing to the university’s mission of learning, teaching, advancing knowledge, engagement and effectiveness. Belk Library and Information Commons, the Erneston Music Library and the Hickory Library and Information Commons provide academic resources for all App State students and faculty. Within Belk Library, students and faculty find group and quiet study spaces, digital devices to check out, the Digital Media Studio, the Makerspace, the Virtual Realty Studio, the Special Collections Research Center and more. Learn more at https://library.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
