2026 CCBC Book Awards: Finalists announced

On Tuesday, August 15, 2026, the Canadian Children's Book Centre announced the finalists for its 2026 English-language book awards. (See their website for an announcement of finalists.) These awards celebrate picture books, historical fiction, YA, poetry, 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 is now sponsored to honour Sharon Fitzhenry). Still, this year's six 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 2025to 2026.

 

This year, the children's book awards include the following: 

• Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award ($20,000) 
• Sharon Fitzhenry Award for Canadian Children's Non-Fiction ($10,000)  
• Amy Mathers Teen Book Award ($5,000) 
• Richard Allen Chase Memorial Award ($5,000)
• David Booth Children’s and Youth Poetry Award ($3,500) 
• Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People ($3,000) 

• • • • • • •

 

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.

Everybelly
Written and illustrated by Thao Lam 

Groundwood Books  

Reviewed here 

Ins and Outs 
Imagined by Elizabeth Withey 
Illustrated by Salini Perera 

Orca Book Publishers

Reviewed here 

My Friend May 

Written and illustrated by Julie Flett 
Greystone Kids

 

The One About the Blackbird 

Written by Melanie Florence

Illustrated by Matt James 
Tundra Books

Reviewed here 

Rock 
Written by Laurel Croza 
Illustrated by Matt James 
Groundwood Books

Reviewed here 

 

 

 

 

 

Sharon Fitzhenry Award for Canadian Children's Non-Fiction

Supported by the Fitzhenry Family Foundation 

This award honours excellence in Canadian children’s non-fiction books for Grades 4-12 (ages 8-18).  

 

Game Changers: Stories of Hijabi Athletes From Around the World 
Written by Charlene Smith 
Illustrated by Natalya Tariq 
Orca Book Publishers 

 

Never Silent: A Hiroshima Survivor's Story 
Written by Setsuko Thurlow and Kathy Lowinger 

Illustrated by Michelle Theodore 
Annick Press

Reviewed here 

 

Ours to Tell: Reclaiming Indigenous Stories
Written by Eldon Yellowhorn and Kathy Lowinger
Annick Press

The Sustainable School: A Journey Through Time and Energy 
Written by Erica Fyvie 

 Illustrated by Scot Ritchie 
Kids Can Press

Reviewed here 

 

The True Story of Vanilla: How Edmond Albius Made History (Orca Biography)
Written by Ann Richards 
Illustrated by Arden Taylor 
Orca Book Publishers

 

 

 

 

 

Amy Mathers Teen Book Award

Supported by Canadian Children's Book Centre

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. 

Among Ghosts 
Written by Rachel Hartman 
Penguin Teen Canada

A Drop in the Ocean  

Written by Léa Taranto 
Arsenal Pulp Press 

The Fragments that Remain 
Written by Mackenzie Angeconeb 
DCB Young Readers 

 

He’s So Possessed with Me
Written by Corey Liu 
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 

Songs for Ghosts 
Written by Clara Kumagai 

Penguin Teen Canada 

Reviewed here

 

You Started It
 Written by Jackie Khalilieh (Markham, ON)

 Tundra Books

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richard Allen Chase Memorial Award

Supported by Alice Chase 

This award is given 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.

Akemi's Song 
Written by Joanne Kwok 
Illustrated by Yiting Hui 
Plumleaf Press

 

Fantastic Lou: Little Comics from Real Life 
Written and illustrated by Qin Leng 
Tundra Books

 

kisēwātisi / Be Kind 
Written by Elizabeth Merasty 
Illustrated by Brie Phillips 
Woodland Cree translation by Edie Venne 
Your Nickel's Worth Publishing

 

Little Moments in a Big Universe 
Written and illustrated by Todd Stewart 
Owlkids Books

 

Oasis 
Written and illustrated by Guojing 
Godwin Books

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Booth Children's and Youth Poetry Award

Supported by Shelley Stagg Peterson

Honouring the late David Booth, former Professor Emeritus at OISE, this award recognizes excellence in Canadian youth poetry.

The Lightning Circle 
Written by Vikki VanSickle 
Illustrated by Laura K. Watson 

Tundra Books

 

Lights at Night 
Written by Tasha Hilderman 
Illustrated by Maggie Zeng 
Tundra Books  

 

A Pond, a Poet, and Three Pests 
Written by Caroline Adderson 
Illustrated by Lauren Tamaki 
Groundwood Books

Reviewed here 

 

Reasons to Look at the Night Sky 
Written by Danielle Daniel 
Tundra Books 

 

Song of Freedom, Song of Dreams 
Written by Shari Green 
Andrews McMeel Publishing  

 

This Is a Tiny Fragile Snake
Written by Nicholas Ruddock 
Illustrated by Ashley Barron 
Groundwood Books  

Reviewed here 

 

 

  

 

 

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.

I Won't Feel This Way Forever
Written by Kim Spencer 
Orca Book Publishers 

Joe and the Wreck of the Tribune
Written by Jacqueline Halsey 
Nimbus Publishing 

Saving Wolfgang 
Written by Gregor Craigie 
Orca Book Publishers 

Seabird
Written by Michelle Kadarusman 
Pajama Press 

A Storm Unleashed 
Written by Carol Matas 
Scholastic Canada 

 📚📚📚

The winners of these awards will be announced on October 26, 2026 at a ticketed event in Toronto. 

 

2025 CCBC Book Awards: Winners announced

On Monday, October 27, 2025, a gala event was held to announce the winners of this year's English-language Canadian Children's Book Awards of the Canadian Children's Book Centre. (The press release of the announcement is posted here.) From a fine list of nominees, the following winners were selected by juries of their peers from the kidCanLit world. 

Here now are the winners of the following English-language awards:

• 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)

• • • • • • •

 

Congratulations to all winners!

• • • • • • •

 

Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award: WINNER 

 

SOS Water

Written and illustrated by Yayo 
Tradewind Books

 

• • • • •

Geoffrey Bilson Award for 

Historical Fiction for Young People:   WINNER

 

Song of Freedom, Song of Dreams

Written by Shari Green 
Andrews McMeel Publishing

 

 

• • • • •

 

Sharon Fitzhenry Award for Canadian Children's Non-fiction :   WINNER

 

Meet Jim Egan (Scholastic Canada Biography)

Written by Elizabeth MacLeod 
Illustrated by Mike Deas 
Scholastic Canada

 • • • • •

Amy Mathers Teen Book Award:   WINNER

 

Age 16

Written and illustrated by Rosena Fung
Annick Press

• • • • •

Jean Little First-Novel Award:   WINNER   

 

Alterations

Written and illustrated by Ray Xu 
Union Square Kids

• • • • •

 

Arlene Barlin Award 

for Science Fiction and Fantasy:   WINNER 

 

The Headmasters

Written by Mark Morton
Shadowpaw Press

 

 

 

 

• • • • •

 

Richard Allen Chase Memorial Award:   WINNER

  

Hummingbird / Aamo-binashee

Written and illustrated by Jennifer Leason 
Anishinaabemowin translation by Norman Chartrand and Jennifer Leason 
Orca Book Publisher

 

 

 📚📚📚

 

 

2025 CCBC Book Awards: Finalists announced

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

Reviewed here 

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

Sharon Fitzhenry Award for Canadian Children's Non-Fiction

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

 

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

Reviewed here

 

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 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amy Mathers Teen Book Award

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

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

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

Reviewed here

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

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

Reviewed here 

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.