Montreal-based micro press Monsieur Ed was awarded the Bologna Prize for the Best Children’s Publishers of the Year, which recognizes a publisher “at the forefront of innovation in their activity for the creative nature of the editorial choices they have made during the previous year.”

Monsieur Ed publisher and creative director Valérie Picard told Q&Q last week that she couldn’t believe it when the Bologna Prize nominations came out and Monsieur Ed was on the list. “It was such a surprise to be nominated,” Picard said. “I double checked and triple checked. I was sure they made a mistake.”

“I am hopeful we’ll start getting more and more noticed and get the grants so I can hire someone to help me,” Picard said, laughing.

Winners were chosen in each of six geographical areas: Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, Central-South America, and Oceania.

Previous Canadian publishers to win the award are Les 400 coups (2020), Comme des géants (2019), Editions D’eux (2018), Kids Can Press (2017), Groundwood Books (2016), and La Pastèque (2014).

The prize is administered by the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in partnership with the Italian Publishers Association and the International Publishers Association.