TORONTO — Two Canadian publishers have been named finalists for this year’s Bologna Prize for the Best Children’s Publishers of the Year (North America), awarded annually by the Bologna Children’s Book Fair to the most distinguished publishers in the world. Annick Press and Les 400 Coups are among the North American nominees. Although this year’s in-person event has been canceled due to the pandemic, winners will be announced live online May 4, 2020 and the fair will resume April 12–15, 2021.
This is the third nomination for Annick since the prestigious prize was established in 2013. The independent press’s President, Rick Wilks, says, “The creators and staff at Annick are thrilled to receive this recognition. When Annick was founded close to 45 years ago, we were passionate about fostering a love of reading by working with creators whose books would resonate, stimulate the imagination, and encourage critical thinking. Our vision has remained steadfast. In fact, in these times we feel a special urgency. Covid-19 has stricken, unequally and brutally, and the human family is in terrible, terrible shape. As we face this collective challenge, our hope is that reading can be a source of reassurance and comfort, especially for children.”
“We are deeply honored to receive this distinction at a time when the work of the publishing community is so important,” Wilks says of the Bologna Prize nomination.
Annick Press is recognized as one of the most innovative and cutting-edge publishers of fiction and nonfiction for children and young adults in North America. Founded in 1975, Annick is home to classic picture books that have nurtured generations of readers, including Robert Munsch’s The Paper Bag Princess, the international bestseller with 7 million copies in print.
In 2019 alone, Annick books garnered over 100 award nominations and distinctions for books covering a wide range of social, political, and environmental issues.
Les 400 coups editions were formed in Montreal in 1995. Since their creation, Les 400 coups has devoted itself to the power of words, ideas and images. In a playful or serious way, for young and old, Les 400 coups offers a forum for those who have something to say, to share and to tell. By publishing children’s books, Les 400 coups participates dynamically and in diversity in this great human adventure of life in all its nuances. They represent more than 20 years of creation and inspiration, more than 180 prizes and distinctions, more than 300 creators and more than 420 published titles.
Congratulations to both publishers.