Remapping the Illegitimate Border (Countering the Legacy of the War of 1812 and the Treaty of Ghent), an installation piece by artist Dylan Miner in collaboration with Indigenous and Latino Youth of Waawayeyaattanong, the Autonomous Windsor-Detroit Borderlands, at the Art Gallery of Windsor during the Border Cultures: Part One (homes, land) exhibition. (Photo: Frank Piccolo)

The 2016 winners of the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Awards were announced today at Toronto’s Scarborough Village Alternative Public School. The winners were selected by two juries of young readers from the school – a jury of grade 3 and 4 students selected the recipient of the Children’s Picture Book Award, and a jury of grade 7 and 8 students selected the recipient of the Young Adult / Middle ReaderAward.

Each student read the books individually and then worked together with their group to reach consensus and decide on a winner. This process makes it a unique literary award in Canada.

2016 marks the 40th anniversary of the Schwartz Children’s Book Awards. The Ontario Arts Council and Ontario Arts Foundation took a look back at 40 years of winners with this online countdown.

Winner of the Children's Picture Book Award Category

Quotes

Student jurors in grades 3 and 4 said: “This book is unique because it has a mix of wild animals and magical creatures – Mr. Postmouse even delivered a package to a dragon’s house!” They also noted that “all the little details are very funny,” singling out a picture of a snake that stretches out over four pages.

“When I learned that Mr. Postmouse’s Rounds had won a Schwartz Children’s Book Award, I was delighted,” said author/illustratorMarianne Dubuc. “But when I learned that the book had been awarded by children, by its own readers, I thought it was absolutely fantastic. It is for you, the young readers, that I make my books. Mr. Postmouse and I would like to thank you for this great honour, and hope you will discover many books that will fill your life with tons of wonderful adventures.”

Winner of the Young Adult / Middle Reader Award Category

We Are All Made of Moleculesby Susin Nielsen (Vancouver, B.C.)
Tundra Books

Susin Nielsen

Quotes

“This book is funny, powerful and inspirational,” said studentjurors in grades 7 and 8. “The characters dealt with a lot of complicated issues in a believable way that we could relate to.” As one juror noted, “I can imagine myself reading this book a million more times. It has the best ending ever!”

“I am deeply honoured that We Are All Made of Molecules is the recipient of this year’s Schwartz Children’s Book Award for Young Adult / Middle Readers,” said author Susin Nielsen. “I wish I’d known the Schwartz sisters, who did much for Canadian children’s literature. And the fact that the winners are chosen by student juries makes it truly special. Knowing that the book is connecting with my intended audience is the ultimate prize.”

About the Author

Susin Nielsen is the author of four novels for young adults, including The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen, winner of the 2013 Schwartz Children’s Book Award (Young Adult / Middle Reader category).

Susin has also written for many Canadian television series, including Degrassi Junior High and Heartland.

About the Awards

Two awards of $6,000 each are presented annually to recognize artistic excellence in writing and illustration in English-language Canadian children’s literature.

Learn More

The Ruth Schwartz Children’s Book Awards were established in 1976 by Sylvia Schwartz in memory of her sister, Ruth, a respected Toronto bookseller. In 2004, the family renamed the awards to honour both sisters.

For more than 50 years, OAC has played a vital role in promoting and assisting the development of the arts for the enjoyment and benefit of Ontarians. In 2017-18, the Ontario Arts Council invested $58.7 million in 231 communities across Ontario through 2,294 grants to individual artists and 1,474 grants to organizations.