InkyThink

I was thinking during my review on The Graveyard book that I do not know enough about Children's Book Awards. What kinds of books end up winning these awards? What books are shortlisted? Are there any books on these award lists or shortlists that I've read?

It turns out, there are some great awards out there. We all know about the Neweberry Medal, the Caldecott Medal and the American Library Associations Children's book awards. What about Canadian awards? Yes, you guessed it, I am Canadian. It turns out there are many Canadian Children's Book awards as well. Here are a few of them along with some information and thoughts on each of them.

CLA (Canadian Library Association) Book of the Year for Children

This award is handed out anually to children's books suitable for ages 13 and under. To be considered, the book must have been published in Canada by a Canadian author. I was happy to see, on the shortlist for 2008, Kit Pearson's A Perfect Gentle Knight which I reviewed earlier this year. (If you forget to read the review, here's the short version: It was really good!)

CLA Young Adult Canadian Book Award

Geared towards the young adult crowd, this book award's age guidelines are 13-18. Again, the book must be published in Canada, and written by a Canadian author. As I do mainly read books that are more for the younger crowed, I was not too surprised when I didn't recognize a lot of the books on this awards list. I do, however, enjoy lots of different kinds of books, so maybe I should give my young adult book reading a kick in the behind!

Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator's Award

Yes! An award for illustration. Illustrations are essential in the books picked for this award. I was not surprised at all to see that Melanie Watt won two years in a row for Scaredy Squirrel and Chester. I was also glad to see Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard on the shortlist! Grumpy Bird was my first review on InkyThink.com.

Governor-General's Awards for Children's Literature

Otherwise known as the "GG's" this award is not only for children's literature, but encompasses many awards, in and out of children's literature. There are two categories for children: Children's Literature - Text, and Children's Literature - Illustration. For 2007, Duncan Weller's book The Boy From The Sun won Children's Literature - Illustration. I love that book! I have it reviewed on the Reviews page.

Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award

This award was established after Elizabeth's death in 1986. I admire the idea of having an award specifically for picture books. Having not recognized a single book on the list, I am thinking I have a bit of reading to do! To my credit, a few of them are published in French which I cannot read. I suppose I could still look at the pictures though...

I.O.D.E. Violet Downey Children's Book Award

Awarded to books suitable for children 13 years of age and under. Starting in 1985, there are only 23 books on the list, as in 1989 there was no award given, though the website does not say why.

Vicky Metcalf Award for Children's Literature

According to the website - "The Vicky Metcalf Award for Children’s Literature is awarded to the author of a body of work in children's literature that, in the opinion of the judges, demonstrates the highest literary standards." There was also a Vicky Metcalf award for short stories, but it was discontinued in 2002.

Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Award

This award dates back to 1976. It's most recent winners include Chester's Back and Scaredy Squirrel, by Melanie Watt, and The Boy From The Sun, by Duncan Weller!

The Hugo Award

Last, but not least. While technically not a children's book award, it does not exclude children's books, as was lately proven (again) when The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman won the award for best Novel, 2009. Another popular children's book awarded the Hugo was Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K Rowling. The Hugo is a science fiction award, but also spills over into fantasy and sometimes horror and even mainstream fiction. It dates all the way back to 1953, a time when the science fiction genre was still taking shape.
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There are many other awards across the country, including provincial awards like The Silver Birch Award in Ontario; Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize in British Columbia; R.Ross Annett Award for Children's Literature in Alberta; Manitoba Young Readers Choice Award in Manitoba; and the Ann Connor Brimer Award for the Atlantic Provinces.

I have recently reviewed a book called The Secret of Grim Hill who's author, Linda DeMeulemeester, was the proud recipient of a Silver Birch award for the book!

So, in my quest to find out more about Canadian Children's book awards, I have compiled lots of information. I am happy to know now that Candian authors are getting the recognition they deserve for a job well written, or illustrated.