CCBC announces the winners of the Canadian Children’s Literature Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Toronto (November 20, 2009) ― The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC) is thrilled to announce the winners of the four major children’s book awards it administers. The winners were announced last night at a gala event at The Carlu in Toronto.

This year’s winning titles will captivate the hearts and imaginations of children and adults everywhere. Readers will be introduced to a lonely boy and the Popsicle sticks, puddles, poetry and paint that help him find hope; to two children’s tragic yet optimistic experiences in a residential school; to a child victim of the Sierra Leone war and her inspiring journey; and to 15-year-old Ben and the place that he so wants to escape.

These books 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. For a list of the honour books for each award, please click here.

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TD CANADIAN CHILDREN’S LITERATURE AWARD ($25,000)
Sponsored by TD Bank Financial Group

Shin-chi’s Canoe
Written by Nicola I. Campbell (Vancouver, BC)
Illustrated by Kim LaFave (Roberts Creek, BC)
Groundwood Books
for ages 5-8

“Understated text with emotional truth hovering beneath the lines... The complimentary softness of the illustrations seems to make the overwhelming sadness and loss the children experience more poignant… A brilliant book.”

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.

The French-language TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award was presented to Anne Villeneuve for her book, Chère Traudi, on November 3 in Montreal at the Canadian Centre for Architecture.

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MARILYN BAILLIE PICTURE BOOK AWARD ($20,000)
Sponsored by A. Charles Baillie

Mattland
Written by Hazel Hutchins (Canmore, AB)
and Gail Herbert (Cambridge, ON)
Illustrated by Dušan Petričić (Toronto, ON)
Annick Press
for ages 4-7

“Hazel Hutchins and Gail Herbert's crisp language combine with Dušan Petričić’s superb illustrations to create a compelling story of the transformative power of the imagination… Words and pictures unfold, build, and resolve a layered tale with marvelous subtlety and an authentic voice.”

JURY MEMBERS: Brenda Halliday, librarian, book reviewer and sessional lecturer, Faculty of Information, University of Toronto; Judi McCallum, Library Consultant; and Joanne Schwartz, author and Children's Librarian, Lillian H. Smith Library, Toronto Public Library.

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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, ON)
with Susan McClelland (Toronto, ON)
Annick Press
for ages 14 and up

“A powerful and touching true story of a young girl who survives Sierra Leone's brutal civil war… Despite the horrific events portrayed, this story is ultimately one of renewal and hope… Mariatu Kamara’s spirit is an example of courage and determination that can never be forgotten."

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 Landing
Written by John Ibbitson (Ottawa, ON)
Kids Can Press
for ages 12 and up

“Intriguing, hopeful and sometimes surprising, this exquisitely written novel clearly illustrates the impact of the Great Depression... Possibly one of the most beautifully written books we’ve seen this year.”

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.

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ABOUT THE 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.

ABOUT THE 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).

ABOUT THE 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.

ABOUT THE 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.

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For more information, please contact:

Charlotte Teeple
Executive Director
The Canadian Children’s Book Centre
40 Orchard View Blvd., Suite 101
Toronto, Ontario M4R 1B9
Tel: 416.975.0010
Fax: 416.975.8970
charlotte@bookcentre.ca
www.bookcentre.ca