Matt de l
a Pena has won the John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature for his picture book, Last Stop on Market Street, a story about a boy’s bus ride with his grandmother and his thoughts on why his family does not own a car.
De la Pena says, “You can feel like you have been slighted if you are growing up without, if you have less money, or you can see the beauty in that. And I feel like the most important thing that’s ever happened to me is growing up without money. It’s one of the things I’m most proud of.” (‘Last Stop On Market Street’ Wins Newbery Medal, ‘Finding Winnie’ Takes Caldecott)
Australian born illustrator, Sophie Blackall, won the Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most 
distinguished American picture book for children for her illustrations for Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear, a book with a Canadian connection. The book, written by Lindsay Mattick, is the story of a Canadian veterinarian who rescues a black bear at a train station and names him Winnie after his home town of Winnipeg.
The winners were announced at the ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits. For more information, check out American Library Association announces 2016 youth media award winners
