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Ten Finalists Vie for Esteemed TD Canadian Children's Literature Awards

5 minute read
By TD Bank Group
• Aug 20, 2009
Two prestigious $25,000 prizes celebrate the most distinguished English and French-language Canadian children's books of the year TORONTO, Aug. 20 /CNW/ - The Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) and TD Bank Financial Group are proud to announce the ten finalists of the 2009 TD Canadian Children's Literature Awards for the two most distinguished books of the year. The annual award which recognizes excellence in Canadian children's literature has increased this year with $25,000 being awarded to the most distinguished book written in English and $25,000 to the most distinguished book written in French. "Reading is one of the fundamental pillars of education and learning in this country and the talents of our Canadian authors and illustrators help to instill a sense of curiosity and appreciation for the written word in younger Canadians," said Scott Mullin, Vice President Government and Community Relations, TD Bank Financial Group. "TD continues to support the children's literature award, one that is among Canada's most prestigious literary prizes with the goal to inspire artists to be guided by their passions and author children's books that continue to touch us all." This year's nominated titles will captivate the hearts and imaginations of children and adults everywhere. Among the finalists are stories introducing readers to daring and adventurous female heroes; to a chicken, a pig and a cow and their new drooly friend; to tragic yet hopeful experiences of two siblings in a residential school; to a remarkable stuffed toy and the spoiled child who rejects him; and to 14-year-old Kit and her fight for survival during the Great Hunger. "The love of reading is a gift and without the talents of Canadian authors and illustrators to inspire it, fostering this love would prove to be very difficult," said Charlotte Teeple, Executive Director, The Canadian Children's Book Centre. "At the Canadian Children's Book Centre we encourage the reading, writing and illustrating of Canadian books for young readers, and what better way to do that than to recognize rising authors and illustrators with a prestigious TD Canadian Children's Literature Award. Thanks to the generosity of TD, we are able to continue to recognize our talented Canadian children's authors in a very meaningful way." As a result of a new partnership with Toronto's International Festival of Authors (IFOA), readings from this year's TD Canadian Children's Literature Award shortlisted titles will be presented at IFOA on Saturday, October 24, 2009. For more information, visit www.readings.org. All books, in any genre, written by a Canadian for children ages one through 12 were eligible for the awards. Entries were judged on the quality of the text and illustrations and the book's overall contribution to literature. The winner of the English-language award will be announced at an invitation-only gala at The Carlu in Toronto on November 24, 2009. The English-language finalists for the 2009 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award, with jury comments, are as follows: Death in the Air (The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His Second Case) Written by Shane Peacock Tundra Books for ages 10-12 "This second installment of 'The Boy Sherlock Holmes' series maintains tension from beginning to end... Pacing is superb, great character development, breath-taking from beginning to end." Libertad Written by Alma Fullerton Fitzhenry & Whiteside for ages 10-12 "In this free verse novel, Alma Fullerton's beautifully poetic language recreates the brutal reality of the lives of two Guatemala City's dump dwelling brothers, Libertad and Julio... An unforgettable story." Shin-chi's Canoe Written by Nicola I. Campbell Illustrated by Kim LaFave Groundwood Books for ages 5-8 "In this sequel to Shi-shi-etko, spare text and evocative artwork powerfully present a deeply moving story of longing and attachment about two Aboriginal children at a residential school." Thing-Thing Written by Cary Fagan Illustrated by Nicolas Debon Tundra Books for ages 5-8 "A fresh and charming book about a spoiled child and an unloved toy thrown out the window... The quirky gouache and collage illustrations offer a sense of speed and uncanny stories on each floor... A book to fall for." Word Nerd Written by Susin Nielsen Tundra Books for ages 10-12 "A humourous and cleverly written novel with likeable, unusual characters from the wrong side of the tracks... An original novel about regaining self confidence and trust." 2009 JURY MEMBERS: Nancy Cohen, Children's Librarian, Moncton Public Library; Theo Heras, author and Children's Literature Specialist, Lillian H. Smith Library, Toronto Public Library; Dr. Dave Jenkinson, Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Education, University of Manitoba; Dr. Ron Jobe, Professor Emeritus, Department of Language and Literacy Education, Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia; Josiane Polidori, Head, Children's Literature, Library and Archives Canada. The French-language finalists for the 2009 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award, are as follows: Chère Traudi Written and illustrated by Anne Villeneuve Editions Les 400 coups for ages 9 and up La Clé Written by Angèle Delaunois Illustrated by Christine Delezenne Editions de l'Isatis for ages 10 and up L'Etoile de Sarajevo Written by Jacques Pasquet Illustrated by Pierre Pratt Editions Dominique et compagnie for ages 8 and up Le Nouveau parapluie de Floup Written by Carole Tremblay Illustrated by Steve Beshwaty Editions Imagine for 18 months and up La Vraie histoire de Léo Pointu Written and illustrated by Rogé Editions Dominique et compagnie for ages 4 and up 2009 JURY MEMBERS: Suzie Cote, Children's Books Consultant; Todd Kyle, Children's Book Specialist and Branch Manager, Mississauga Library System; Brigitte Moreau, Manager, Monet Bookstore; Manon Richer, university lecturer on children's books; Benoit St-Aubin, bookseller. The winner of the French-language award will be announced at an invitation-only gala at the Canadian Centre for Architecture in Montreal on November 3, 2009. About The Canadian Children's Book Centre The Canadian Children's Book Centre is a national, not-for-profit organization and registered charity founded in 1976 to promote, support and encourage the reading, writing and illustrating of Canadian books for children and teens. With book collections, programs and services and extensive resources in five cities across Canada, the CCBC is a treasure-trove for anyone interested in Canadian books for young readers. For more information, please visit www.bookcentre.ca. TD Community Giving: Making a Difference Together Children's health, literacy and education, and the environment are the three main areas of focus for TD's community giving. Flagship programs within these areas include: TD Children's Hospital Fund; TD Friends of the Environment Foundation; TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup; TD Canadian Children's Book Week; TD Canada Trust Scholarships for Community Leadership; and the TD Summer Reading Club. With support from customers and employees, TD is involved with a host of national, regional and local causes benefiting diversity, arts and culture and other community programs. In 2008, TD donated $35 million to more than 2,100 organizations across Canada. For further information: Charlotte Teeple, Executive Director, The Canadian Children's Book Centre, (416) 975-0010, charlotte@bookcentre.ca; Gregory Harrison, TD Bank Financial Group, (416) 308-8597, gregory.harrison@td.com; Elynn Wareham, GCI Group on behalf of TD and the CCBC, (416) 486-5921, elynn.wareham@gcigroup.com

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