The Canada Council for the Arts has announced the 14 winning titles in English and French, chosen from a shortlist of 68 finalists, for the Governor General’s Literary Awards. These books offer great opportunities to enjoy new work by established authors and discover new favourites by first-time winners.

The winners in the children’s categories are:

Young People’s Literature – Text (English)

Calvin
By Martine Leavitt
Published by Groundwood Books

Jury statement: “In Martine Leavitt’s Calvin, a boy newly diagnosed with schizophrenia makes a pilgrimage across a frozen Lake Erie. Told in spare, beautiful prose, this transcendent exploration of reality and truth is funny, frightening and affirming. Calvin is an astonishing achievement.”

Young People’s Literature – Text (French)

Hare Krishna
By François Gilbert
Published by Leméac Éditeur

Jury statement: “François Gilbert’s realistic story makes us feel the anguish of Mikael, a rebellious youth drawn to Krishna. The characters in Hare Krishna are so authentic that their conflicting values make us think deeply about our life choices.”

Young People’s Literature – Illustrated Books (English)

Tokyo Digs a Garden
By Jon-Erik Lappano and Kellen Hatanaka
Published by Groundwood Books

Jury statement: “Tokyo Digs a Garden marries text and illustration in a richly ornamented dream landscape that simultaneously suggests a digital and an organic world. Kellen Hatanaka’s illustrations are inventive and groundbreaking and the hypnotic text by Jon-Erik Lappano conveys its message in a darkly humourous and elegant manner. A book for any age.”

Young People’s Literature – Illustrated Books (French)

Grand-père et la Lune
By Stéphanie Lapointe and Rogé
Published by Les Éditions XYZ

Jury statement: “Grand-père et la Lune by Stéphanie Lapointe and illustrator Rogé transports us to a gentle and compassionate world of poetic words and images. An intimate story that speaks to family and the passing down of memories.”

For the full list of winners, visit ggbooks.ca.