Finalists Announced for 2009 Canadian Children’s Book Centre Awards
Monday, August 24th, 2009For Immediate Release: Toronto (August 20, 2009) The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC) is pleased to announce the finalists for the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, Prix TD de littérature canadienne pour l’enfance et la jeunesse, Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award, Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction and Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People.
The winners of the English-language awards will be announced at an invitation-only gala event at The Carlu in Toronto on November 19, 2009. The winners of the Prix TD de literature canadienne pour l’enfance et la jeunesse will be announced at an invitation-only gala event at the Canadian Centre for Architecture in Montreal on November 3, 2009. Overall, $110,000 in prize monies will be awarded.
The Canadian Children’s Book Centre is also pleased to announce that the prize money for the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award/Prix TD de littérature canadienne pour l’enfance et la jeunesse has increased to $25,000 (up from $20,000) and the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award has increased to $20,000 (up from $10,000). The CCBC thanks TD Bank Financial Group and Marilyn and Charles Baillie for their generous support.
This year’s nominated titles will captivate the hearts and imaginations of children and adults everywhere. Among the finalists are stories introducing readers to daring and adventurous female heroes; to a chicken, a pig and a cow and their new drooly friend; to tragic yet hopeful experiences of two siblings in a residential school; to a remarkable stuffed toy and the spoiled child who rejects him; and to 14-year-old Kit and her fight for survival during the Great Hunger.
As a result of a new partnership with Toronto’s International Festival of Authors (IFOA), readings from this year’s TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award shortlisted titles will be presented at IFOA on Saturday, October 24. For more information, please visit Readings.org
The books on these shortlists exemplify some of the best work by Canadian authors and illustrators. The Canadian Children’s Book Centre is proud to share these titles with you.
TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award ($25,000)
Sponsored by TD Bank Financial Group
Death in the Air
(The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His Second Case)
Written by Shane Peacock (Baltimore, Ontario)
Tundra Books
for ages 10-12
This second installment of ‘The Boy Sherlock Holmes’ series maintains tension from beginning to end. Pacing is superb, great character development, breath-taking from beginning to end.
Libertad
Written by Alma Fullerton (Midland, Ontario)
Fitzhenry & Whiteside
for ages 10-12
In this free verse novel, Alma Fullerton’s beautifully poetic language recreates the brutal reality of the lives of two Guatemala City’s dump dwelling brothers, Libertad and Julio. An unforgettable story.
Shin-chi’s Canoe
Written by Nicola I. Campbell (Vancouver, BC)
Illustrated by Kim LaFave (Roberts Creek, BC)
Groundwood Books
for ages 5-8
In this sequel to Shi-shi-etko, spare text and evocative artwork powerfully present a deeply moving story of longing and attachment about two Aboriginal children at a residential school.
Thing-Thing
Written by Cary Fagan (Toronto, Ontario)
Illustrated by Nicolas Debon (Saint-Denis, France)
Tundra Books
for ages 5-8
A fresh and charming book about a spoiled child and an unloved toy thrown out the window… The quirky gouache and collage illustrations offer a sense of speed and uncanny stories on each floor… A book to fall for.
Word Nerd
Written by Susin Nielsen (Vancouver, BC)
Tundra Books
for ages 10-12
A humourous and cleverly written novel with likeable, unusual characters from the wrong side of the tracks. An original novel about regaining self confidence and trust.J
JURY MEMBERS: Nancy Cohen, Children’s Librarian, Moncton Public Library; Theo Heras, author and Children’s Literature Specialist, Lillian H. Smith Library, Toronto Public Library; Dr. Dave Jenkinson, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Education, University of Manitoba; Dr. Ron Jobe, Professor Emeritus, Department of Language and Literacy Education, Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia; Josiane Polidori, Head, Children’s Literature, Library and Archives Canada.
Prix TD de littérature canadienne pour l?enfance et la jeunesse ($25,000)
Sponsored by TD Bank Financial Group
Chère Traudi
Written and illustrated by Anne Villeneuve (Montreal, Quebec)
Éditions Les 400 coups
for ages 9 and up
La Clé
Written by Angèle Delaunois (Montreal, Quebec)
Illustrated by Christine Delezenne (Montreal, Quebec)
Éditions de l?Isatis
for ages 10 and up
L’Étoile de Sarajevo
Written by Jacques Pasquet (Montreal, Quebec)
Illustrated by Pierre Pratt (Montreal, Quebec)
Éditions Dominique et compagnie
for ages 8 and up
Le Nouveau parapluie de Floup
Written by Carole Tremblay (Montreal, Quebec)
Illustrated by Steve Beshwaty (Montreal, Quebec)
Éditions Imagine
for 18 months and up
La Vraie histoire de Léo Pointu
Written and illustrated by Rogé (Montreal, Quebec)
Éditions Dominique et compagnie
for ages 4 and up
JURY MEMBERS: Suzie Cote, Children?s Books Consultant; Todd Kyle, Children’s Book Specialist and Branch Manager, Mississauga Library System; Brigitte Moreau, Manager, Monet Bookstore; Manon Richer, university lecturer on children’s books; Benoit St-Aubin, bookseller
. . . .
MARILYN BAILLIE PICTURE BOOK AWARD ($20,000)
Sponsored by A. Charles Baillie
Chicken, Pig, Cow Written and illustrated by Ruth Ohi (Toronto, Ontario)
Annick Press
for ages 2-5
Chicken, Pig and Cow finally make friends with drooly Dog in this hilarious story told from the viewpoint of three adventurous toys… Ruth Ohi’s droll humour and understanding of the lives of preschoolers (and their toys) shines delightfully through this warm, loving tale.
It’s Moving Day
Written by Pamela Hickman (Canning, Nova Scotia)
Illustrated by Geraldo Valério (Toronto, Ontario)
Kids Can Press
for ages 4-7
Information about wildlife habitat is woven into a delightful tale of the busy comings and goings of forest creatures in a woodland burrow. Glorious illustrations fill the pages with expressive colour and energy.
Mattland
Written by Hazel Hutchins (Canmore, Alberta)
and Gail Herbert (Cambridge, Ontario)
Illustrated by Du?an Petricivic (Toronto, Ontario)
Annick Press
for ages 4-7
Pitch-perfect text works wondrously with illustrations that bring increasing energy and colour to this tale of shimmering possibilities brilliantly realized by three exceptionally talented creators.
Shin-chi’s Canoe
Written by Nicola I. Campbell (Vancouver, BC)
Illustrated by Kim LaFave (Roberts Creek, BC)
Groundwood Books
for ages 5-8
A richly drawn story of family love, loss and hope unfolds through spare, lyrical prose and powerful images. This book makes the human history of Canada’s residential schools accessible to readers young and old.
Thing-Thing
Written by Cary Fagan (Toronto, Ontario)
Illustrated by Nicolas Debon (Saint-Denis, France)
Tundra Books
for ages 5-8
This unique story of Thing-Thing’s fall from the sixth floor of the Excelsior Hotel becomes a slow-motion vehicle for a touching and funny contemplation of life and love from a host of characters inspired by his fleeting image.
JURY MEMBERS: Brenda Halliday, librarian, book reviewer and sessional lecturer, Faculty of Information, University of Toronto; Judi McCallum, Training Coordinator, Markham Public Libraries; and Joanne Schwartz, Children’s Librarian, Lillian H. Smith Library, Toronto Public Library.
. . . .
NORMA FLECK AWARD FOR CANADIAN CHILDREN’S NON-FICTION ($10,000)Sponsored by the Fleck Family Foundation
The Bite of the Mango
Written by Mariatu Kamara (Pickering, Ontario)
with Susan McClelland (Toronto, Ontario)
Annick Press
for ages 14 and up
A heart wrenching and inspiring memoir of a young woman’s brave struggle to rebuild her life after suffering unspeakable horrors during Sierra Leone’s brutal civil war.
Inuksuk Journey: An Artist at the Top of the WorldWritten and illustrated by Mary Wallace (St. Thomas, Ontario)
Maple Tree Press
for ages 9 and up
Inuksuk Journey is a breathtakingly beautiful pictorial journey of the Arctic region and Inuit culture… Mary Wallace has done a fabulous job of combining her art with text about the region. It is a stunning presentation of the region.
No Girls Allowed: Tales of Daring Women Dressed As Men for Love, Freedom and AdventureWritten by Susan Hughes (Toronto, Ontario)
Illustrated by Willow Dawson (Toronto, Ontario)
Kids Can Press
for ages 9-12
This fast-paced graphic novel is an unusual take on historical figures and their stories… It will enlighten and entertain readers on many levels. Fun and highly original.
One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference
Written by Katie Smith Milway (Wellesley, MA)
Illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes (Peterborough, Ontario)
Kids Can Press
for ages 7 and up
This excellent picture book skillfully combines a clear text, a wonderful concept and evocative art. An outstanding and child-friendly approach to the complicated topic of microloans.
Royal Murder: The Deadly Intrigue of Ten Sovereigns
Written by Elizabeth MacLeod (Toronto, Ontario)
Annick Press
for ages 10-12
History comes alive in the gripping stories of ten murdered monarchs. Incredible design and riveting tales of murder and intrigue make this book an “I can’t put it down” read…
JURY MEMBERS: Mala Dayal, teacher-librarian, Peel District School Board; Polly Fleck, Governor General’s Literary Award-nominated poet and member of the Fleck family; Wendy Mason Geoghegan, Children’s Specialist, Indigo Books; Rachel Seigel, Selection Manager, S&B Books; Frieda Wishinsky, author of Please, Louise!, winner of the 2008 Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award.
. . . .
GEOFFREY BILSON AWARD FOR HISTORICAL FICTION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE ($5,000)Sponsored by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre’s Bilson Endowment Fund
The Ancient Ocean Blues
Written by Jack Mitchell (Toronto, Ontario)
Tundra Books
for ages 10-13
A fast-paced spoof on Greek tales. Laugh-out-loud funny with great characters. A new take on the old classics. This book is original, delightful and engaging.
The Apprentice’s Masterpiece: A Story of Medieval Spain
Written by Melanie Little (Calgary, Alberta)
Annick Press
for ages 12 and up
An elegant novel told in free verse about the religious persecution of the Spanish Inquisition… A story about incredible brutality that is beautifully narrated.
Child of Dandelions
Written by Shenaaz Nanjji (Calgary, Alberta)
Second Story Press
for ages 12 and up
A hard-hitting, fast-paced novel that tells the story of the 90 days in which British Indians were given to leave Uganda. It is a story about political exploitation, discrimination and violence, but it is also a story about resilience and friendship.
Greener Grass: The Famine Years
Written by Caroline Pignat (Kanata, Ontario)
Red Deer Press
for ages 11-14
This dark, poignant and well-written novel tells the story of Ireland?s Great Potato Famine in 1847? Caroline Pignat skillfully captures the harshness of circumstances and impact of desperation on the characters in this moving tale.
The Landing
Written by John Ibbitson (Washington, DC)
Kids Can Press
for ages 12 and up
A beautifully written, evocative coming-of-age novel. Realistic fiction imbued with symbolism… It is a novel full of suspense, with finely crafted characters and a sense of time and place.
JURY MEMBERS: Merle Harris, storyteller and author; Christopher Moore, author; Kimberly Sutherland-Mills, Children’s and Teen Services Librarian, Kingston Frontenac Public Library; Gail de Vos (chair), storyteller and professor, School of Library and Information Studies, University of Alberta.
. . . .
TD CANADIAN CHILDREN?S LITERATURE AWARD
The TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award was established in 2005 to honour the most distinguished book of the year for children aged 1 to 12. Entries are judged on the quality of the text and illustrations and the book’s overall contribution to literature. All books for children, in any genre, written by a Canadian, are eligible for the award. Starting in 2009, the winning book receives $25,000 (up from $20,000) and an additional $10,000 is divided amongst the honour books. The publisher of the winning book receives $2,500 for promotional purposes.
MARILYN BAILLIE PICTURE BOOK AWARD
The Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award honours excellence in the illustrated picture book format, for children aged 3 to 8. Charles Baillie, retired Chairman and CEO of TD Bank Financial Group, is delighted to give the prize in his wife Marilyn’s name. As an award-winning children’s book author and an early learning specialist, Marilyn is involved in and passionate about children’s literature. Starting in 2009, the winning book receives $20,000 (up from $10,000).
NORMA FLECK AWARD FOR CANADIAN CHILDREN’S NON-FICTION
The Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction was established by the Fleck Family Foundation in 1999 to recognize Canada’s exceptional non-fiction books for young people. The award honours Norma Fleck (1906-1998), who inspired a deep love of reading in her children and grandchildren. Dr. James Fleck, who initiated the award, is the son of Norma Fleck. The winning book receives $10,000.
GEOFFREY BILSON AWARD FOR HISTORICAL FICTION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
The Geoffrey Bilson Award was established in 1988 in memory of the respected historian and children’s author, Geoffrey Bilson. The $5,000 prize is awarded annually to the Canadian author of an outstanding work of historical fiction for young people. In 2005, the Bilson Endowment Fund was created to support this award. If you wish to contribute to this fund, please contact the CCBC.
THE CANADIAN CHILDREN’S BOOK CENTRE
The Canadian Children’s Book Centre is a national, not-for-profit organization and registered charity founded in 1976 to promote, support and encourage the reading, writing and illustrating of Canadian books for children and teens. With book collections and extensive resources in five cities across Canada, the CCBC is a treasure-trove for anyone interested in Canadian books for young readers. For more information, please visit www.bookcentre.ca.
written by Amber Stewart, illustrated by Layn Marlow
written by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Lauren Stringer
by Monique de Varennes, pictures by Ana Juan
