The Canada Council for the Arts has announced the winners of the 2025 Governor General's Literary Awards. The awards promote literature from Canada, recognizing the best English-language and French-language books in seven categories, including two categories for young readers—Young People’s Literature – Text and Young People’s Literature – Illustrated Books. The awards carry a cash prize of $25,000, with $3,000 going to the publisher of the winning title. In addition, the finalists in each category also receive $1,000. The winners are listed below.
Young People’s Literature – Text (English-language)
Tig, written by Heather Smith (Tundra Books)
“With a gentle touch and a dollop of humour, Smith unveils Tig’s painful history and then leads her back towards love, in the form of two uncles, a dog and a wheel of cheese. This taut, powerful novel will make you angry and hopeful; it will make you cry and laugh—sometimes all on the same page. Tig is truly a love story.” —PEER ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE: Wayne Arthurson, Susin Nielsen and Karen Rivers
Young People’s Literature – Illustrated Books (English-language)
This Land is a Lullaby, written by Tonya Simpson, illustrated by Delreé Dumont (Orca Book Publishers)
“Words like precious jewels are reflected by the sparkling illustrations in this timeless book by Tonya Simpson and Delreé Dumont. A gentle and lyrical celebration of the beauty of welcoming a new life into the world, This Land is a Lullaby calls upon themes of interconnectivity, parenthood and belonging. A gift to be treasured by all who encounter its warmth.”—PEER ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE: Dawn Baker, Matthew Forsythe and Bridget George
Young People’s Literature – Text (French-language)
Coup bas, written by Laurie Léveillé (La courte échelle)
“Coup bas explores the impact covert actions can have, showing us the power of agency in the survival process and the importance of facing facts. With a style that is both direct and theatrical, Laurie Léveillé takes us on a meaningful reflection on revenge—is violence the answer when one has been attacked? This debut novel goes straight to the heart.”—PEER ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE: Lula Carballo, Mathieu Fortin and François Gilbert
Young People’s Literature – Illustrated Books (French-language)
Un cadeau de Noël en novembre, written by Stéphane Laporte, illustrated by Jacques Goldstyn (Éditions de la Bagnole)
“This timeless and touching book tells the story of a child forced to give up on a dream and reinvent himself. The work bears out the creators’ absolute mastery of their art, with the detailed, poetic and whimsical watercolours naturally integrating into the story. The author’s beautiful writing is echoed in the illustrator’s brush strokes. Through its visual beauty and universal message, the book provides children with a genuine glimmer of hope.”—PEER ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE: Katia Canciani, Lyne Gareau and Samuel Parent
For the complete list of winners and nominees in all categories, visit ggbooks.ca.