TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award

Have you ever heard of the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award? I mentioned it in this previous post, and I now have the honor of acknowledging this year’s winner! I love the fact that TD has provided an opportunity for Canadian Children’s authors and books to be publicly recognized with this prestigious award. The winner of this award received $30,000 and the honor of having the most distinguished children’s book of the year. TD also awards $20,000 for other top Canadian Children’s books, acknowledging great literary work.

Toronto-born, London-based Trilby Kent was the winner for 2012 for her book “Stones for My Father” (published by Tundra Books, 2011).  It has been described as, “A riveting book about the Anglo-Boer war at the turn of the last century and Canada’s place in it… Kent draws her characters and the landscape around them in penetrating prose… Today’s children will develop heartfelt admiration and respect for Corlie Rioux. Though this young heroine struggles with the loss of parental love, a special friendship, and her home, she holds steadfast, brave, and true and emerges a survivor… At times raw, but always gripping, this novel packs an emotional punch.”

Stones for My Father was written for ages 11-14, so it fit perfectly into the eligibility for the award, which states that the book has to be written for ages 12 and under. Other criteria needed to win top Canadian Children’s book include; it had to be first published in Canada, the author and illustrator had to be Canadian, and it could include all genres of books. For the full list of the type of book that qualifies for the award, click here.

The TD Canadian Children’s Literature award is chosen by a panel of Jurors and later presented in a Gala celebrating Children’s Literature and all involved. This years Gala was held in Toronto and TD presented 5 different awards including the most distinguished French and English Canadian’s Children’s Book. I am looking forward to following the nominations this coming year from 2012 for great gift ideas and to support Canadian Literature.