$25,000 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award Goes to Le géranium by Mélanie Tellier and Melinda Josie

MONTREAL, Nov. 2 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Children's Book Centre and TD Bank Financial Group are pleased to announce that the 2010 French-language TD Canadian Children's Literature Award goes to Le géranium, written by Mélanie Tellier (Vincelette) and illustrated by Melinda Josie. Tellier and Josie will share the $25,000 award, one of the largest cash prizes for children's literature in Canada. As publisher of Éditions Marchand de feuilles, Tellier also gets an additional $2,500 for promotional purposes.

Le géranium tells the story of Philippe-Aubert, whose goal in life is to be a millionaire. But by giving himself permission to change his dreams, Philippe-Aubert finds true wealth in a shared love that culminates in a life filled with adventure. Le géranium is a veritable celebration of life and its eventful detours in elegant book form. The anthropomorphism of the characters produces a singular narrative, while preserving its universality adds a surrealistic touch, inviting the reader to step outside of conformity. This picture book is rich in cultural references, with illustrations connoting a time past, evoking adventure and travel. Ambassador of an open mind, the originality of the narrative lies in the poetry of a language with deep resonances that combine with the finesse of hidden meanings.

This year, the judging panel included librarian and specialist in children's literature Todd Kyle, children's literature consultant Danielle Marcotte, school librarian Brigitte Moreau, bookseller Benoît Saint-Aubin and children's literature specialist and facilitator Danielle Vaillancourt.

"Reading is a child's first step into the wonderful world of the imagination, which is why authors of books like Le géranium are so important," says Christine Marchildon, Senior Vice President, Quebec Region, TD Canada Trust. "Reading allows children to develop their vocabulary from a very young age, while stimulating their desire to learn. Established since 2005, the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award has highlighted the important role authors play in childhood development and encourages them to continue sharing their world with our children. TD has been in Quebec for 150 years and encouraging reading and the distribution of children's books is one of the many ways we give back to the community."

Original French-language Canadian publications of all literary genres for children up to age 12 are eligible for the award. Works are judged for exceptional quality, overall contribution to children's literature and to young readers. In addition to the $25,000 winning prize, a $10,000 prize is shared among the four remaining finalists: Comme toi! by Geneviève Côté, Monsieur Leloup by Philippe Béha, Rêver à l'envers, c'est encore rêver by Guy Marchamps and Marie-Claude Favreau and Venus d'ailleurs by Angèle Delaunois and Martine Doyon.

"Le géranium, written by Mélanie Tellier and illustrated by Melinda Josie, is an extraordinary work. It really allows children to visit the world around them and learn more about the meaning of life. We are delighted that this book won," says Charlotte Teeple, Executive Director of the Canadian Children's Book Centre. "We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to TD for providing Canadian authors and illustrators with this recognition and allowing them to pursue their dreams with this award."

The English-language TD Canadian Children's Literature Award will be announced on November 9 in Toronto. It includes a $25,000 prize for the winner along with a $10,000 prize to be shared among the four remaining finalists. The five finalists are: Dragon Seer by Janet McNaughton, Home Free by Sharon Jennings, The Hunchback Assignments by Arthur Slade, A Thousand Years of Pirates by William Gilkerson and Watching Jimmy by Nancy Hartry.

Mélanie Tellier and Melinda Josie - a Winning Combination!
Mélanie Tellier (Vincelette) was born in Montreal in 1975. She studied and taught at McGill University and has been the publisher of Éditions Marchand de feuilles since 2001. Tellier won the Prix du jeune écrivain francophone in 2004, the Grand prix littéraire Radio-Canada in 2007 and the Prix Anne Hébert 2007 for Crimes horticoles, her first novel. Le géranium is her first children's picture book published under her Mélanie Tellier nom de plume. The book's illustrator, Melinda Josie, was born in Milton, Ontario and works as an artist-painter in Toronto. Le géranium is the first book she has illustrated.

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 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 Canadian Children's Literature Award
The TD Canadian Children's Literature Award was established in 2005 to honour the most distinguished book of the year for children up to age 12. Entries are judged on the quality of the text and illustrations and the book's overall contribution to literature. All books for children, in any genre, written by a Canadian, are eligible for the award. The winning book receives $25,000 and an additional $10,000 is divided among four runner-up books. The publisher of the winning book also receives $2,500 for promotional purposes.

The year marks the 150th anniversary of TD Bank Financial Group (TDBFG) in Quebec. TDBFG has built on a long tradition of quality customer service and community involvement dating back to the opening of its first branch in Quebec in 1860. Today, TDBFG's Quebec presence includes over 4,000 employees and more than 125 offices and points of service, as well as significant investments in community programs.

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