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| From https://bookcentre.ca/blogs/industry-news/finalists-announced-for-the-2025-ccbc-book-awards |
On Wednesday, August 17, 2025, the Canadian Children's Book Centre,
our nationally-renowned authority on all things related to youngCanLit,
announced the finalists for the 2025 English-language Canadian Children's Book Centre
Awards. (See their website announcement here
with videos of shortlists on Bibliovideo. A pdf is also available.) These awards celebrate picture books, historical fiction, YA, debut novels, science fiction and fantasy, and more. Over the years, the awards have changed, some discontinued and some transitioned (e.g., the long-awarded Norma Fleck award for Canadian children's non-fiction will now be sponsored to honour Sharon Fitzhenry). Still, this year's seven awards are a sampling of the extraordinary books for young people
created by Canadian authors and illustrators. They are a great resource
for exceptional reads from 2024 to 2025.
This year, the children's book awards include the following:
- Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award ($20,000)
- Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People ($5,000)
- Sharon Fitzhenry Award for Canadian Children's Non-Fiction ($10,000)
- Amy Mathers Teen Book Award ($5,000)
- Jean Little First-Novel Award ($5,000)
- Arlene Barlin Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy ($5,000)
- Richard Allen Chase Memorial Award ($2,500)
• • • • • • •
Here are the short lists for each award category, as announced by the Canadian Children's Book Centre:
Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award
Supported by A. Charles Baillie
This award honours excellence in illustrated English picture books for children ages 3-8 and written and illustrated by Canadians.
A Face Is a Poem
Written and illustrated by Julie Morstad
Tundra Books
I’m Afraid, Said the Leaf
Written by Danielle Daniel
Illustrated by Matt James
Tundra Books
It Bears Repeating
Written by Tanya Tagaq
Illustrated by Cee Pootoogook
Tundra Books
Mad at Dad
Written and illustrated by Janie Hao
Kids Can Press
SOS Water
Written and illustrated by Yayo
Tradewind Books
Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People
Supported by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre’s Bilson Endowment Fund
This is given annually to reward excellence in the writing of an outstanding work of historical fiction for young readers by a Canadian author.
Age 16
Written and illustrated by Rosena Fung
Annick Press
Eyes on the Ice
Written by Anna Rosner
Groundwood Books
The Go-Between
Written by Jennifer Maruno
Red Deer Press
Song of Freedom, Song of Dreams
Written by Shari Green
Andrews McMeel Publishing
Wings to Soar
Written by Tina Athaide
Charlesbridge Move
Supported by the Fitzhenry Family Foundation
It honours excellence in Canadian children’s non-fiction books for Grades 4-12 (ages 8-18).
All Consuming: Shop Smarter for the Planet (Orca Think)
Written by Erin Silver
Illustrated by Suharu Ogawa
Orca Book Publishers
Illustrated by Suharu Ogawa
Orca Book Publishers
The Longest Shot: How Larry Kwong Changed the Face of Hockey (Orca Biography)
Written by Chad Soon and George Chiang
Illustrated by Amy Qi
Orca Book Publishers
Lost at Windy River: A True Story of Survival
Written by Trina Rathgeber
Illustrated by Alina Pete
Coloured by Jillian Dolan
Orca Book Publishers
Meet Jim Egan (Scholastic Canada Biography)
Written by Elizabeth MacLeod
Illustrated by Mike Deas
Scholastic Canada
You Can Be an Activist: How to Use Your Strengths & Passions to Make a Difference (CitizenKid)
Written by Charlene Rocha and Mary Beth Leatherdale
Illustrated by Drew Shannon
Kids Can Press
Supported by Accelerate360 Canada
This award honours excellence in fiction written in English for teens or young adults (ages 13-18) by a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
Age 16
Written and illustrated by Rosena Fung
Annick Press
And Then There Was Us
Written by Kern Carter
Tundra Books
A Constellation of Minor Bears
Written by Jen Ferguson
Heartdrum
Fledgling (The Keeper's Records of Revolution, Book 1)
Written by S.K. Ali
Kokila
For She Is Wrath
Written by Emily Varga
Wednesday Books
The Lightning Circle
Written by Vikki VanSickle
Illustrated by Laura K. Watson
Tundra Books
Jean Little First-Novel Award
Supported by Teresa James
This award recognizes the achievements of a first-time Canadian children’s novel written for ages 8-12.
Alterations
Written and illustrated by Ray Xu
Union Square Kids
Alterations
Written and illustrated by Ray Xu
Union Square Kids
Maya Plays the Part
Written by Calyssa Erb
Annick Press
Teddy vs. the Fuzzy Doom (Secrets of Ravensbarrow, Book 1)
Written and illustrated by Braden Hallett
Annick Press
Arlene Barlin Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy
Supported by Elly Barlin-Daniels
This award, in honour of the sponsor's sister Arlene Barlin, is given to recognize excellence in Canadian children’s speculative fiction.
Fledgling (The Keeper's Records of Revolution)
Written by S.K. Ali
Kokila
Fledgling (The Keeper's Records of Revolution)
Written by S.K. Ali
Kokila
The Headmasters
Written by Mark Morton
Shadowpaw Press
Lockjaw
Written by Matteo L. Cerilli
Tundra Books
Waking the Dead and Other Fun Activities
Written by Casey Lyall
Greenwillow Books
Where the Dark Stands Still
Written by A.B. Poranek
Margaret K. McElderry Books
Richard Allen Chase Memorial Award
Supported by Rocky Mountain Book Award and Alice Chase
It is awarded annually to a Canadian children’s title written for an elementary school-aged audience in Grades 4-6 (Ages 9-12) exemplifying Richard’s guiding principles of compassion, kindness, humanity, environmentalism, inclusivity, and connection to the land.
Hummingbird / Aamo-binashee
Written and illustrated by Jennifer Leason
Anishinaabemowin translation by Norman Chartrand and Jennifer Leason
Orca Book Publisher
Hummingbird / Aamo-binashee
Written and illustrated by Jennifer Leason
Anishinaabemowin translation by Norman Chartrand and Jennifer Leason
Orca Book Publisher
I Wonder About Worlds: Discovering Planets and Exoplanets
Written by James Gladstone
Illustrated by Yaara Eshet
Owlkids Books
Mighty Scared: The Amazing Ways Animals Defend Themselves
Written by Erin Silver
Illustrated by Hayden Maynard
Orca Book Publishers
A Song for the Paper Children
Written by Christopher Tse
Plumleaf Press
Two Pieces of Chocolate
Written by Kathy Kacer
Illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard
Second Story Press
📚📚📚
The winners of these awards will be announced on October 27, 2025 at a ticketed event in Toronto.
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