Compared to other picture-books of the time that did win the Caldecott Honor, I'm truly surprised this didn't.  Frasconi's art was already known to, and appreciated by, the judges.  Mistral is a poet and activist/ educator.  The story is told in both languages, and thus satisfies the judges desire to be 'diverse' or 'multicultural.'  And it's a neat little fable, too.  I enjoyed it, and cannot guess how it was overlooked for the award. ( )