CLA’s 2015 Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Award Shortlist

The Canadian Library Association is pleased to announce the shortlist for the 2015 Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator’s Award. This award is generously sponsored by Library Services Centre and recognizes an illustrator of a noteworthy Canadian book, published in 2014. The Amelia Frances Howard‐Gibbon Illustrator’s Award was established in 1971 and is presented annually to the illustrator of an outstanding children’s book published during the previous calendar year. Tundra would like to congratulate Geneviève Côté, Julie Morstad, Kyo Maclear, and Cybèle Young!

2015 Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Award Shortlist

Bob's Hungry GhostBob’s Hungry Ghost
Written by Geneviève Côté
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 3-7
ISBN: 978-1-77049-713-9
“Côté sets the tone right from the beginning of her tongue-in-cheek story…. The varied use of page layouts, text placement, and white space render page turns pleasantly unpredictable, and the artist’s signature use of crayon line with full palette watercolor adds to the ghostly yet playful atmosphere. Don’t mistake this for a Halloween story. Kids will want to revisit Bob and Fluffy all year long.” – School Library Journal

Julia ChildJulia, Child
Written by Kyo Maclear
Illustrated by Julie Morstad
Hardcover | 32 Pages | All Ages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-449-7
Julia, Child is not only a book about the joy of cooking, but the wonder of childhood, and, like the best cooking, is meant to be savored. Maclear, who began her career writing for adults, has turned in to one of the country’s best children’s authors, but it’s Morstad’s stellar illustrations that are the main course. I guarantee it’ll leave you hungry.” – The National Post

Nancy KnowsNancy Knows
Written by Cybèle Young
Hardcover | 40 Pages | Ages 3-7
ISBN: 978-1-77049-482-4
Nancy Knows is a great example of the power and charm of simple storytelling. Young’s prose is clear; each brief sentence is composed of carefully chosen words that inspire readers to take their time and savour the story (a fitting approach for a book about memory). But it is Young’s artwork that elevates the narrative to extraordinary heights…. Young once again works her magic, combining intricately detailed miniature paper sculptures (which represent memories) with soft, pencil-sketched outlines of Nancy and her surroundings. The effect is utterly mesmerizing.” – Starred Review, Quill & Quire

Congratulations to the other shortlisted authors and illustrators!

  • Any Questions? written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay
  • Dolphin SOS illustrated by Julie Flett and written by Roy Miki & Slavia Miki
  • Gustave illustrated by Pierre Pratt and written by Rémy Simard
  • If… illustrated by Steve Adams and written by David J. Smith
  • The Most Magnificent Thing written and illustrated Ashley Spires
  • Pirates of the Silver Coast written and illustrated by Scott Chantler
  • The Tweedles Go Electric illustrated by Marie Lafrance and written by Monica Kulling

Thank you to the jury members for their dedication and hard work! The winner of the award will be announced during the week of April 20th, 2015. The award will be presented during the CLA National Conference and Trade Show at the Shaw Conference Centre, Ottawa on Thursday, June 4th 2015 at the Book Awards Reception.

CLA Announces 2013 Award Shortlists

The Amelia Frances Howard‐Gibbon Illustrator’s Award Jury of the Canadian Library Association announced the shortlist for the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator’s Award. This award recognizes an illustrator of a noteworthy Canadian book that appeals to children up to the age of 12 years. Congratulations to Rogé!

The French Fry KingThe French Fry King
Written by Rogé
Illustrated by Rogé
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 4-7
ISBN: 978-1-77049-350-6
“…Rogé’s illustrations feature rounded lines and characters that are full of life. Clever details provide many visual delights for the attentive reader…. This is a marvelous allegorical tale that will delight children and adults alike.” — Quill & Quire

Congratulations to the shortlisted authors and illustrators:

  • Bigfoot Boy Into the Woods illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks
  • Goodnight, Canada illustrated by Andrea Beck
  • Mr. King’s Things illustrated by Geneviève Côté
  • Night Sky Wheel Ride illustrated by Yayo
  • Ojibway Clans illustrated by Mark A. Jacobson
  • Stamp Collector illustrated by François Thisdale
  • Tooth Mouse illustrated by Janice Nadeau
  • Virginia Wolf illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault
  • You are Stardust illustrated by Soyeon Kim

The CLA Young Adult Book Award Jury announced the shortlist for the Young Adult Book Award. This award recognizes an author of an outstanding English-language Canadian work of fiction that appeals to young adults between the ages of 13 and 18. Congratulations to Susin Nielsen and Eva Wiseman!

The Reluctant Journal of Henry K LarsenThe Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen
Written by Susin Nielsen
Hardcover | 256 Pages | Ages 11-14
ISBN: 978-1-77049-372-8
eBook: 978-1-77049-373-5
“Nielsen treats a heavy subject with a light, optimistic touch, and while Henry’s passion and distress are evident, his wacky commitment to ‘Saturday Night Smash-up’ and his own ironic, yet earnest, perspective leavens the serious subject matter.” — The Toronto Star

The Last SongThe Last Song
Written by Eva Wiseman
Hardcover | 232 Pages | Ages 11+
ISBN: 978-0-88776-979-5
eBook: 978-0-88776-980-1
“This historical fiction novel is set in Toledo, Spain in the 1490s, surrounded by the backdrop of the Spanish Inquisition…. The climax of the novel will set the reader in a spiraling whirlwind of intense emotions. This novel is a great read for young adults who enjoy historical fiction dealing with horrifying persecution and the will to survive.” — VOYA

Congratulations to the shortlisted authors:

  • The Calling by Kelley Armstrong
  • Bright’s Light by Susan Juby
  • 40 Things I Want to Tell You by Alice Kuipers
  • My Book of Life by Angel by Martine Leavitt
  • One Good Hustle by Billie Livingston
  • Yesterday by C.K. Kelly Martin
  • Such Wicked Intent by Kenneth Oppel
  • What Happened to Ivy by Kathy Stinson

The CLA Book of the Year for Children Award Jury announced the shortlist for the Book of the Year for Children Award. This award recognizes a Canadian author of an outstanding book which appeals to children up to and including age 12. Congratulations to Michael Bedard, Susin Nielsen, Shane Peacock, and Cyndi Sand-Eveland!

The Green ManThe Green Man
Written by Michael Bedard
Hardcover | 320 Pages | Ages 10-14
ISBN: 978-1-77049-285-1
eBook: 978-1-77049-293-6
“The specter of an evil magician returning to destroy another life will lure readers into the novel’s eerie core…. Mr. Bedard masterfully interlaces the real with the supernatural in these passages, evoking a sense of myriad magical possibilities.” — New York Journal of Books

The Reluctant Journal of Henry K LarsenThe Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen
Written by Susin Nielsen
Hardcover | 256 Pages | Ages 11-14
ISBN: 978-1-77049-372-8
eBook: 978-1-77049-373-5
“…Henry is forced to keep a journal by his therapist; he is at first reluctant, then obsessive about it. A born diarist, he exhibits the idiosyncratic voice of a memoirist, one keenly interested in documenting both his inner and outer worlds. He captures both with humour and heart…. Yet the novel is a dramedy, and believably balances lightness and darkness. It is a shame when the reader must put down the journal and say goodbye to Henry.” — The National Post

Becoming HolmesBecoming Holmes
The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His Final Case

Written by Shane Peacock
Hardcover | 264 Pages | Ages 10-14
ISBN: 978-1-77049-232-5
eBook: 978-1-77049-291-2
“…Peacock concludes his stellar saga with a final mystery…. This is a solid period mystery. Peacock once again uses London as a character…. Such characters as Irene Doyle, Malefactor (who will become Moriarty), Lestrade, and even a whiff of Watson all contribute to a feeling of authenticity … this is a strong story. The ending is exciting and unexpected. This is an excellent conclusion to a wonderful series.” — VOYA

A Tinfoil SkyA Tinfoil Sky
Written by Cyndi Sand-Eveland
Hardcover | 224 Pages | Ages 10-14
ISBN: 978-1-77049-277-6
eBook: 978-1-77049-294-3
“…this touching picture of a child torn between her need for a stable home and her love for her troubled mother feels deeply authentic … this depiction of wounded people forming healing bonds goes straight to the heart.” — Booklist

Congratulations to the shortlisted authors:

  • Middle of Nowhere by Caroline Adderson
  • One year in Coal Harbour by Polly Horvath
  • Ungifted by Gordon Korman
  • And Nothing But the Truth by Kit Pearson
  • Island of Doom by Arthur Slade
  • The Grave Robber’s Apprentice by Allan Stratton

Thank you to the Jury Members who took the time to read, discuss, and narrow the list down – not an easy task! The winners and honour books will be announced on April 15. The award will be presented at the annual awards reception during the CLA National Conference and Trade Show at the Winnipeg Convention Centre in Winnipeg on May 30, 2013.