The points of issue
First printing has a full number line counting down to 1 (10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1) on the copyright page; Clarion Books imprint; near-wordless watercolor picture book; true-first jacket bears NO Caldecott Medal seal, as the medal was awarded in 1992.
Is this the true first?
The US Clarion Books edition of 1991 is the true first edition. It won the 1992 Caldecott Medal, so the jacket of the true first predates the medal seal.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later printings add the gold Caldecott Medal seal to the jacket; book-club editions differ in binding and lack the full number line.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Tuesday a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing has a full number line counting down to 1 (10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1) on the copyright page; Clarion Books imprint; near-wordless watercolor picture book; true-first jacket bears NO Caldecott Medal seal, as the medal was awarded in 1992.
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. The US Clarion Books edition of 1991 is the true first edition. It won the 1992 Caldecott Medal, so the jacket of the true first predates the medal seal.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Later printings add the gold Caldecott Medal seal to the jacket; book-club editions differ in binding and lack the full number line.
I have a first edition of Tuesday — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.