Suzanne Del Rizzo’s Birds on Wishbone Street has won the 2022 IODE Jean Throop Book Award.

Del Rizzo accepted the award and a cheque for $5,000 on April 23 at the IODE’s annual provincial meeting.

Last October, Del Rizzo spoke about her inspiration for Birds on Wishbone Street (Pajama Press) in an interview with Q&Q.

“I wanted to write a story that shares and explores friendships developed between a close-knit, multi-generational neighbourhood filled with folks with diverse life stories and backgrounds,” she said. “My husband grew up on a street actually shaped like a wishbone, with an amazing parkette across the street from his house – perfect for a pickup game of soccer or as a hangout spot. It was the perfect setting for Birds on Wishbone Street.”

Established in 1975, the IODE Jean Throop Book Award is awarded to creators of children’s books who live in Ontario.