2024 CCBC Book Awards winners

On October 28, the Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC) announced the winners of the 2024 CCBC Book Awards at an in-person ceremony held at the Toronto Reference Library.

The $50,000 TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, the largest cash prize in Canadian children’s literature, was awarded to Skating Wild on an Inland Sea by Jean E. Pendziwol and illustrated by Todd Stewart.

Presented for the first time by the CCBC, the Richard Allen Chase Memorial Award went to Alone: The Journeys of Three Young Refugees by Paul Tom, illustrated by Mélanie Baillairgé, and translated by Arielle Aaronson.

The eight English-language winners are:

TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award ($50,000)

• Skating Wild on an Inland Sea by Jean E. Pendziwol and Todd Stewart, ill. (Groundwood Books)

Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award ($20,000)

• When You Can Swim by Jack Wong (Orchard Books/Scholastic)

Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People ($5,000)

• Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold by Jessica Outram (Second Story Press)

Amy Mathers Teen Book Award ($5,000)

• Only This Beautiful Moment by Abdi Nazemian (Balzer + Bray)

Jean Little First-Novel Award ($5,000)

• The Cricket War by Thọ Phạm and Sandra McTavish (Kids Can Press)

Arlene Barlin Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy ($5,000)

• Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto (Margaret K. McElderry Books)

David Booth Children’s and Youth Poetry Award ($3,500)

• Robot, Unicorn, Queen: Poems for You and Me by Shannon Bramer and Irene Luxbacher, ill. (Groundwood Books)

Richard Allen Chase Memorial Award ($2,500)

• Alone: The Journeys of Three Young Refugees by Paul Tom and Mélanie Baillairgé, ill.; Arielle Aaronson, trans. (Groundwood Books)

“Tonight’s winning books represent a spectrum of childhood experiences, including courage and resilience, being surrounded by the wonders and beauty of the natural world, and reflections on the joy and poignancy of growing up,” said Stephanie Wells, CCBC executive director in the press release. “Woven throughout these books is hope for a brighter future and a recognition that with someone by your side, whether that is a pair of loyal dogs, a long-time foe, a stranger that steps up, family, or friends, none of us are alone. At a time when the world seems more and more divided, the books honoured tonight bring us closer together and remind us that we are more alike than different.”

The winners for the Prix TD will be revealed on November 6.