Nominees for National Children’s Book Award Announced

Toronto, March 15, 2001 — The short list of authors and illustrators nominated for the Ruth Schwartz Children’s Book Award was announced today. (See attached list.) This national award – one for a children’s picture book and one for a young adult/middle reader book – recognizes authors and illustrators from across Canada who demonstrate artistic excellence in children’s literature. 

Two juries of schoolchildren from Fielding Drive Public School in Ottawa, Ontario will choose the winners. The students will announce the winners on Canada Book Day, April 23, at The National Library in Ottawa.

The young adult/middle reader book category is judged by students in grades 7 and 8. The winning author will receive a $2,000 prize. Students in grade 4 will award the $3,000 children’s picture book prize, which is split between the author and illustrator.

The Ruth Schwartz Children’s Book Award was established in 1976 by Sylvia Schwartz in honour of the late Ruth Schwartz, a respected Toronto bookseller. The administration of this award is shared by the Ontario Arts Council which selects the juries, the Ontario Arts Council Foundation and the Canadian Booksellers Association, whose members select the short list of books.

The sixth annual Canada Book Day is organized by publishers, booksellers, authors and the Writers’ Trust with the assistance of government and corporate supporters. Celebrations will be taking place across the country.

Short List For The 2001 Ruth Schwartz Award For Excellence In Canadian Children’s Literature

Picture Books

• Chicken Cat written by Stephanie S. McLellan, illustrated by Sean Cassidy 
  Fitzhenry & Whiteside Limited

• Eh? to Zed written by Kevin Major, illustrated by Alan Daniel
  Red Deer Press

• The Golden Goose written and illustrated by Barbara Reid
  North Winds Press/Scholastic Canada Ltd.

• SkySisters written by Jan Bourdeau Waboose, illustrated by Brian Deines
  Kids Can Press

• Stella, Queen of the Snow written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay 
  Groundwood Books

Young Adult/Middle Reader Books

• after HAMELIN written by Bill Richardson
  Annick Press Ltd.

• The Boy in the Burning House written by Tim Wynne-Jones
  Groundwood Books

• The Breadwinner written by Deborah Ellis
  Groundwood Books

• Charlie Wilcox written by Sharon E. McKay
  Stoddart Kids

• The Secret Under My Skin written by Janet McNaughton
  HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.

OAC Media Contact: Kirsten Gunter, Manager of Communications
Tel: (416) 969-7403. Toll-free outside of Toronto: 1-800-387-0058, ext. 7403.
E-mail: kgunter@arts.on.ca