Frederick by Leo Lionni won the Caldecott Honor Medal in 1968 and continues to delight young readers today with its lesson about the power and beauty of words. A family of field mice live in a wall near a barn and a granary. While most of the mice work very hard to prepare for the winter by gathering grain and nuts, Frederick sits by himself in the sun.
 
He says he is gathering sun for the winter. When the other mice ask him why he is staring at the meadow, he tells them he is gathering colors. Another day he says he is gathering words. Winter comes and the mice are well-fed and happy for awhile. But when they run out of grain, nuts, and berries, Frederick keeps his friends warm and happy during the long winter days with his supply of poetry and stories.
 
Frederick by Leo Lionni