November 20, 2024

Vicky Metcalfe Award for Children's Literature: 2024 Winner announced


There is a wonderfully long list of awards announced annually by the Writers' Trust of Canada. They include the Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Fiction Award, the Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction, and the Dayne Ogilvie Prize for LGBTQ2S+ Emerging Writers. Some awards focus on a specific book while others are given to writers based on their body of works. Last night, the awards were announced at an event at the CBC Glenn Gould Studio at which more than $330,000 was handed out to 7 award winners. Among those generous awards is the Vicky Metcalfe Award for Children's Literature which includes a $25,000 prize sponsored by the Metcalfe Foundation.
 
This year's winner of the
 
 Vicky Metcalfe Award for Children's Literature 
 
goes to
 
Sara O'Leary
 

for a body of work which includes the following books:

The Little Book of the Little Brontรซs (Tundra, 2023) Illus. by Briony May Smith
A Kid is a Kid is a Kid (Groundwood, 2021) Illus. by Qin Leng
Percy's Museum (Groundwood, 2021) Illus. by Carmen Mok
Night Walk (Groundwood, 2020) Illus. by Ellie Arscott
A Family is a Family is a Family (Groundwood, 2016) Illus. by Qin Leng
When I Was Small (Simply Read, 2011) Illus. by Julie Morstad
Where You Came From (Simply Read, 2008) Illus. by Julie Morstad
When You Were Small (Simply Read, 2005) Illus. by Julie Morstad

The event, which was live streamed, can be viewed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/live/EXe9ANrSQSE or you can check out all the award announcements the Writers' Trust of Canada website at https://www.writerstrust.com/events/writers-trust-awards/.
 
 
Congratulations to Sara O'Leary and all award winners of the Writers' Trust of Canada Awards for 2024.
 
๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘ 

November 18, 2024

Raven Gets Tricked (Coast Salish Tales)

Written and illustrated by Andrea Fritz
Orca Book Publishers
978-1459836273
32 pp.
Ages 6-8
September 2024
 
Andrea Fritz of the Lyackson First Nation brings us a new story for her Coast Salish Tales series, continuing to connect young readers to the teachings of the Coast Salish peoples through storytelling. 

It's winter and Smuy (little deer in the Hul'q'umi'num' language) finds his food stores empty except for some berries. When he realizes that he always shares with his cousin Spaal' (raven) who never reciprocates but often tricks Smuy instead, Smuy concocts a plan.
From Raven Gets Tricked, written and illustrated by Andrea Fritz
Smuy's plan begins with mashing up his remaining berries and pouring them out onto the snow beneath Spaal's tree. When Spaal' sees the red snow and asks Smuy to share it, Smuy does so. But Spaal' needed more space for this wonderful red snow so deposits his dried salmon and leaves it on the beach. While Spaal' continues to help himself to the red snow and even trying to hide that he'd taken more than his share, Smuy helps himself to the discarded salmon. 

Back after a night near Spaal's fire, all the red snow melts and floods his house. Smuy kindly takes Spaal' to his house and feeds him salmon, and even gives him some to take home as all his food is now gone. (At least Spaal' thanks Smuy with "Huy ch q'u!")
From Raven Gets Tricked, written and illustrated by Andrea Fritz
Between the art and the story, Andrea Fritz teaches, entertains, and delights with Raven Gets Tricked. The story has much to say about greed and sharing, self-sufficiency and helping others. It never occurs to Spaal', the raven who is known as a trickster, that he should think of others. He wants what he wants, never sharing–except when tricked into it–but always wanting from others, never wondering if they need something more than he. He asks, he takes, and he holds. Smuy, on the other hand, needs food. Whether his stores were always inadequate or because he shared with others or whether someone like Spaal' stole from him is irrelevant. I don't know why he didn't just ask but I suspect he knew that Spaal' would have many excuses not to share. Regardless, Andrea Fritz has created two very different characters. She makes Spaal' the selfish and manipulative creature upon whom misfortune occurs because of his own greed and Smuy, the kind animal who is compelled to reciprocate trickery but still shows goodness to help another.
From Raven Gets Tricked, written and illustrated by Andrea Fritz
Andrea Fritz even differentiates the two animals in the style of her art. Using a lovely and generously emotive Woodland style of art, Andrea Fritz gives Smuy a softness while Spaal' is somewhat sharper in shape and line. Of course, with a beak and talons, there is more sharpness to a raven, but the little deer looks lithe and muscular and still delicate. Moreover, Andrea Fritz's illustrations take us beyond the two characters, placing us in a northern environment of coniferous trees, laden with snow, purple and blue waters, and wooden plank houses. (The grain of the wood is reflected in many surfaces, from water and beach to sky and land.)

The story in Raven Gets Tricked offers a lesson in sharing but Andrea Fritz takes that teaching a step further by appending it with a discussion of Coastal Salish Plank Houses. She shares her personal experiences of building plank houses and even moving them to foraging grounds in the summer. Along with time spent in the houses, there is discussion about sharing and trading with local Nations.

Spuy may have to trick Spaal' in order to get food to survive but the little deer still does it with kindness and generosity, a lesson Spaal' should have learned.
 

• • • • • • •
 
Coast Salish Tales by Andrea Fritz
Otter Doesn't Know (2023)
Crow Helps a Friend (2024)
Raven Gets Tricked (2024)
Woolly Dog Warms His Family (expected 2025 or 2026)


November 14, 2024

A Dragon for Hanukkah

Written by Sarah Mlynowski
Illustrated by Ariel Landy
Orchard Books (Scholastic)
40 pp.
Ages 4-8
September 2024
 
Hanukkah, which is also known as the eight-day Festival of Lights, has many traditions from songs sung, candles lit, and foods eaten. But for Hannah, this Hanukkah is something especially magical.
From A Dragon for Hanukkah, written by Sarah Mlynowski, illustrated by Ariel Landy
In Hannah's family, a gift is given on each night, and the gifts this child is given and shares are extraordinary. On the first night of Hanukkah, Hannah receives a fire-breathing dragon whom she names Nerry. (Ner in Hebrew means candle, lamp, or light.) On the second night, her Bubbie (Yiddish for grandmother) gifts her with a rainbow! A treasure chest of gold coins and gems are a gift from her aunt on the third night of Hanukkah while the fourth night sees Hannah receiving a merry-go-round.
From A Dragon for Hanukkah, written by Sarah Mlynowski, illustrated by Ariel Landy
A time machine for the fifth night allows her and her cousin to go back in time and meet the Maccabees while the rocket boots she gets on the sixth night takes Hannah among the stars. On the seventh night, Hannah gets three rambunctious unicorns from her little brother. The eighth night is Hannah's turn to give gifts and hers is a tasty treat concocted in a lab.
From A Dragon for Hanukkah, written by Sarah Mlynowski, illustrated by Ariel Landy
Finally, when everyone is arriving and Hannah is tidying up her room, readers see what her gifts really were. There's a stuffed dragon, a box of rainbow-coloured crayons, a dreidel, chocolate "gelt" and more. And her special concoction? It's potato latkes which the family enjoys as they gather to sing, play dreidel, and celebrate together.
From A Dragon for Hanukkah, written by Sarah Mlynowski, illustrated by Ariel Landy
Writer Sarah Mlynowski, whose Whatever After and other series have made her a New York Times best-selling author, makes Hanukkah even more magical through Hannah's imaginative experiences with the gifts she receives for this festival. She includes all the traditions of Hanukkah from the tzedakah box of donated toys to the lighting of the menorah and the retelling of the Maccabees' story. And yet, among all the familiar elements, Sarah Mlynowski has created a story far greater and fantastic and one that evolves from a child's imagination and wonder. For young celebrants of Hanukkah, they will easily pick up on the traditional elements but for those unfamiliar with the Festival of Lights, Sarah Mlynowski appends her story with an informative dialogue between Hannah and Nerry to provide details related to the story. 
 
Illustrator Ariel Landy, an American based in France, brings the whimsy to Sarah Mlynowski's words making each gift and Hannah's delight with them even greater. From the rainbow that flows out of the room and carries Hannah along with it to a trio of spirited unicorns that arise from drawings her younger brother gives her, there is a playfulness that emphasizes the joys of the celebration. Moreover, Ariel Landy's use of brilliant colours like purples and pinks, lime green and blues make the story sparkle and fresh.
From A Dragon for Hanukkah, written by Sarah Mlynowski, illustrated by Ariel Landy
Perhaps not every child celebrating Hanukkah will receive a dragon or a rainbow but every child who reads A Dragon for Hanukkah will understand the magic that is part of Hannah's celebration. Through the festivities of gift-giving and of traditional food and activity, Sarah Mlynowski and Ariel Landy welcome all readers to a Hanukkah celebration like no other, while teaching them about the festival in an imaginative and colourful way.


November 13, 2024

2024 Governor General's Literary Awards: Winners announced

 

Last month, the Canada Council for the Arts announced the finalists for its highly prestigious Governor General's Literary Awards. Of the seven categories of books, which are presented for both French and English titles, two categories are specific for books for young people, one for text and one for illustration. Today, the winners of these awards were announced.

Hearty congratulations to all winners 
of this year's Governor General's Literary Awards.


WINNER
English-language: Young People's Literature (Text)
Crash Landing
Written by Li Charmaine Anne
Annick Press


 
 
 
 
 WINNER
English-language: Young People's Literature (Illustration) 
Skating Wild On an Inland Sea
Written by Jean E. Pendziwol
Illustrated by Todd Stewart
Groundwood Books




 
 
WINNER
French-language: Young People's Literature (Text)
Une bulle en dehors du temps
ร‰crit par Stรฉfani Meunier
Lemรฉac ร‰diteur





 WINNER
French-language: Young People's Literature (Illustration)

Le premier arbre de Noรซl
ร‰crit par Ovila Fontaine
Illustrรฉ par Charlotte Parent
ร‰ditions de la Pastรจque

 


November 11, 2024

Pick Me!

Written by Annika Dunklee
Illustrated by Lori Joy Smith
Bread & Butter Books
978-1-0689189-0-2
32 pp.
Ages 3-8
October 2024
 
Annie, Lillemor and Lilianne are good friends who do everything together. But what happens when they can't?
From Pick Me!, written by Annika Dunklee, illustrated by Lori Joy Smith
The three friends who first shared a story in Annika Dunklee and Lori Joy Smith's Me, Too! and then in its sequel Me, Me, Me, continue to bond over their shared interests and spend all their time together. Especially cute is their teaching each other their own language as Lilianne speaks French, Lillemor speaks Swedish, and Annie speaks her imaginative language of Oinky Boinky. But on a field trip to the museum, their teacher insists that Lillemor pick only one girl with whom to partner. This becomes an onerous task as she attempts three different ways to choose. Finally the teacher chooses, and Annie is left to partner with Meilin. 
From Pick Me!, written by Annika Dunklee, illustrated by Lori Joy Smith
Annie is less than gracious about being with her new partner, leaving her behind and repeatedly returning to her two friends. But she soon learns that Meilin too had another partner in mind and was equally upset with being paired with Annie. Now it's up to Annie to try to make a connection with Meilin and through a couple of ice breakers, the two become fast friends too.
From Pick Me!, written by Annika Dunklee, illustrated by Lori Joy Smith
Annika Dunklee certainly gets into the heads of little girls for whom friends can be the most important thing in their lives. In each book in this series, the girls are challenged with making friends, staying friends, and dealing with friends. Having a friend offers stability but when you can't be with your friends of choice–and this will always happen at school in group work and partnering up for games and activities–it can be monumental. It's not surprising that Annie would disregard her teacher's instructions and do what she chooses just to feel the security of her established friends. Her annoyance is palpable. But her friendships have given her the skills to be friendly to others, when she chooses to, and to make new friends. Pick Me! are words that reverberate in many schools every day but, with strategies to make decisions and choices as well as approaches to connecting with new people, Annika Dunklee's story also becomes a resource for navigating friendships, particularly at school.
From Pick Me!, written by Annika Dunklee, illustrated by Lori Joy Smith
PEI's Lori Joy Smith brings the joy of friendship to life in her bright illustrations. There is a simplicity to her art, focusing on the kids and their expressions of satisfaction and their connection, but also in their distress and frustration, all the emotions that come with becoming, being and holding onto friends. Annika Dunklee has made her characters diverse in their languages, but Lori Joy Smith has made them real in the diversity of their backgrounds, physical features, personalities and more. She's made their story one that is universal for all friends.

For a great kindergarten lesson, or for kids in Grades 1-2 who still need help in making and keeping friends, Annika Dunklee and Lori Joy Smith's trio of books featuring Annie, Lillemor and Lilianne will be invaluable. Moreover, Pick Me!, like the earlier two books, will offer young children a different perspective on friendships that they might find difficult to understand. When they're very young, it's difficult to see that others are may be struggling too. For Annie to realize that Meilin was also disappointed in not being with her friends was a big step to making a new friend and seeing beyond herself and ultimately getting something that made her happy: a new friend.
 
• • • • • • •

 Me, Too! (2015)
Me, Me, Me (2017)
Pick Me! (2024)

November 09, 2024

2024 Prix TD de littรฉrature canadienne pour l'enfance et la jeuness: Winner announced

On October 16, 2024, the Canadian Children's Book Centre and Communication-Jeunesse announced the five finalists for the $50,000 prize for le Prix TD de littรฉrature canadienne pour l'enfance et la jeunesse.  This past Monday, November 6, the winner of this French-language book award was announced.

Congratulations & Fรฉlicitations!

 • • • • •

 

WINNER / LAURร‰AT
 Le Prix TD de littรฉrature pour l'enfance et la jeunesse canadienne
 
 
Les saumons de la Mitis
ร‰crit par Christine Beaulieu
Illustrรฉ par Caroline Laverge
ร‰ditions de la Bagnole
 
 


November 08, 2024

Lemming's First Christmas

Written by Jamesie Fournier
Illustrated by Tim Mack
Inhabit Media
978-1-77227-543-8
28 pp.
Ages 0-5
October 2024
 
Avinngaq (lemming in Inuktitut) lives under a house and hears children singing, "Santa Claus is coming to town." When she asks Qimmiq (a sled dog), he tells her that Santa Claus puts presents under the tree. That just leads to more questions because Avinngaq doesn't know what a tree is. And so begins Avinngaq's quest to ensure Santa Claus visits her.
From Lemming's First Christmas, written by Jamesie Fournier, illustrated by Tim Mack
Qimmiq has a simple explanation about a tree–"It grows out of the ground, and you decorate it"–and he goes with Avinngaq to find one. The other Arctic animals bring forth what they suggest might be a tree. From Natsiq (a ringed seal) who brings some seaweed, and Tuktu (a caribou) who brings a purple saxifrage, Qimmiq can only tell what is not a tree. Other animals include Tiriganiaq (an Arctic fox) and Ukaliq (an Arctic hare) but it's not until Avinngaq rests on a piece of driftwood that Qimmiq confirms she's found a tree.
From Lemming's First Christmas, written by Jamesie Fournier, illustrated by Tim Mack
So, the friends decorate the driftwood with the seaweed, the purple saxifrage, arctic willow, and berries, sing, "Santa Claus is coming to town" and are delighted to find presents under the tree the next morning.
From Lemming's First Christmas, written by Jamesie Fournier, illustrated by Tim Mack
For our very youngest children, Lemming's First Christmas would be a bright beginning to the holiday season. Of course, they'll start singing the song too and it could get tiresome for the next seven weeks but maybe you could break that up with a reading or two of Lemming's First Christmas and some discussions about Arctic animals and plants, about cultural traditions, and even the magic of the holiday season. Jamesie Fournier, a writer in Iqaluit, keeps the story positive and simple, which is perfect for an early picture book–it has thicker pages and a reinforced cover–while introducing them to the Arctic and its plant and animal species, and teaching them a few words of Inuktitut. (A double-spread at the back posts the Inuktitut names and their pronunciations along with illustrations of the animals depicted.) It's very sweet and all the more so for Tim Mack's illustrations. I've reviewed several books which Tim Mack has illustrated (It's Time For Bed and What's My Superpower?) and his cartoon style of digital art will resonate with very young readers. His characters are cute and recognizable, and even if unfamiliar with an Arctic environment, children will recognize the play of shadows at night, the magic of snow and stars, and the quest for answers from those we know.
From Lemming's First Christmas, written by Jamesie Fournier, illustrated by Tim Mack
Get into the holiday season in a gentle way with Lemming's First Christmas. It's an easy introduction for those who may become overwhelmed with the customs of the holiday and let them see it from the perspective of a group of animals who interpret a tradition in their own way and make it a very sweet first Arctic Christmas.