FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Toronto (May 12, 2011) – This year’s Municipal Chapter of Toronto IODE Jean Throop Book Award was presented to Rebecca Upjohn for The Last Loon (Orca Book Publishers) on April 7, 2011 at IODE Toronto’s annual dinner and meeting. IODE Toronto presents an annual book award to a local Toronto author and illustrator.

Rebecca Upjohn is the author of three titles for young readers. The Last Loon is about a young boy, Evan, who is spending Christmas holidays in the wilderness with his environmentalist ex-con Aunt Mag. This was definitely not Evan’s idea of a good time. What’s worse is that everyone he meets is talking about a loon, even his new friend Cedar. When Evan discovers that the loon will die without help, he takes it upon himself to rescue it.

IODE Toronto is a premiere women’s charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals through education support, community service and citizenship programs.

This prestigious $2,000 book award established in 1974 encourages excellence in Canadian children’s literature. Former IODE Toronto book award winners include Dennis Lee, Barbara Reid, Ian Wallace, Charles Pachter and Linda Granfield.

For further information please contact:
Jennifer Werry, President
416-925-5078 | iodetoronto@bellnet.ca