Children's book medals awarded The Washington Post Two riffs on resourcefulness "Bud, Not Buddy," written by Christopher Paul Curtis, and "Joseph Had a Little Overcoat," illustrated and written by Simms Taback won the 2000 Newbery and Caldecott medals Monday. The John Newbery Medal is presented to the author of what is deemed the best children's book published in America the previous year. The Caldecott Medal honors the most distinguished American picture book for children. Notably absent from the prize roster was J.K. Rowling, author of the astonishingly successful Harry Potter books -widely credited with attracting scads of young people to reading. Because Rowling's books were first published in England, explained ALA President Sarah Long, they are ineligible for any of the ALA awards. "The thing that was so stunning," said Long, "was that on Martin Luther King (Day) - and for the first time in 22 years - an African-American writer won the award." "Bud, Not Buddy" is the story of a 10-year-old motherless boy in Flint, Mich., who believes that his father is a legendary jazz band leader. "This heartfelt novel resonates with both zest and tenderness as it entertains questions about racism, belonging, love and hope," said Carolyn Brodie, chairwoman of the Newbery selection committee. The novel's "fast-paced, first-person account moves with the rhythms of jazz and celebrates life, family and a child's indomitable spirit." Simms Taback, meanwhile, said, "I'm completely overwhelmed." Taback has been illustrating books for 35 years. "Joseph" is a craftily concocted Yiddish folk tale of a clever man who retools his old overcoat into a jacket, then a vest, then a scarf, then a tie. For his pictures, Taback has won awards before. "But this is the Caldecott!" he said. "For kind of a struggling illustrator, it just could be a big payoff." Originally on page 8A in the 1-19-2000 issue of the Daily.