Well, here's the interesting thing. The Caldecott criteria, if you take a gander at it, has no age limitations. So an actual adult title (like that newly illustrated version of "The Life of Pi", for example) could not win. But "We Are the Ship", which is for an 8-12 audience, definitely could. And until ALA finally agrees to create an award for graphic novels, they run the risk of having one win a Caldecott. Why not? A comic book is the ultimate "picture book" after all. And if the art is good enough (particularly if it's wordless as in "The Arrival") then it's only a matter of time. I'm intrigued as to where this may end up.

I enjoyed Cabret but I bear it no particular love. The writing just didn't do it for me (though I did like the pictures). But I don't think any of the books I've listed here won't stand up in terms of the 40-50 year line. Even "Into the Volcano" has its timeless qualities. Then the question becomes whether or not you think a graphic novel can even be timeless at all, and that is probably where the line gets drawn into the sand.

I do actually know what you mean about the illustrators and artists that get passed over every year. Why Barbara McClintock doesn't have 50 Caldecott medals sitting on her mantelpiece is beyond my comprehension.