The Canadian Children's Book Centre has named the winners of its eight English‐language children's book awards for outstanding literary achievement. See the complete list of winners here.
Skating Wild on an Inland Sea by Jean E. Pendziwol, illustrated by Todd Stewart, won the C$50,000 (about US$35,935) TD Canadian Children's Literature Award, with winning publisher Groundwood Books receiving C$2,500 (about US$1,795) for promotional purposes. An additional C$10,000 (about US$7,185) will be shared among the four remaining finalists for their contributions to Canadian children's literature.
CCBC executive director Stephanie Wells said the winning books "represent a spectrum of childhood experiences, including courage and resilience, being surrounded by the wonders and beauty of the natural world, and reflections on the joy and poignancy of growing up. Woven throughout these books is hope for a brighter future and a recognition that with someone by your side, whether that is a pair of loyal dogs, a long-time foe, a stranger that steps up, family, or friends, none of us are alone. At a time when the world seems more and more divided, the books honored tonight bring us closer together and remind us that we are more alike than different."
CCBC also announced the establishment of the C$10,000 Sharon Fitzhenry Award for Canadian Children's Nonfiction, designed to recognize and raise the profile of exceptional nonfiction for young readers. Last year marked the 25th anniversary of the Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children's Nonfiction, and the final year the prize was given.