Richard Allen Chase Memorial Award

The CCBC is honoured take over the administration of the Richard Allen Chase Memorial Award. This award, named in memory of the late Richard Chase, a former teacher-librarian from Lethbridge, Alberta, honours excellence in Canadian illustrated books (both fiction and non-fiction) appropriate for Grades 4-6/Ages 9-12*. Uniquely, this award celebrates outstanding work having at its heart themes such as compassion, kindness, humanity, environmentalism, inclusivity and/or connection to the land. In 2026, the cash prize for the award increased from $2,500 to $5,000.

Eligibility, Guidelines & Fees

Updated: January 2026

The Richard Allen Chase Memorial Award recognizes and honours excellence in Canadian illustrated books (both fiction and non-fiction) appropriate for Grades 4-6/Ages 9-12*. Uniquely, this award celebrates outstanding work having at its heart themes such as compassion, kindness, humanity, environmentalism, inclusivity and/or connection to the land.

Criteria

The criteria for selecting the winning and shortlisted titles are viewed through each juror’s lens. In identifying excellence, the judges shall consider the following criteria:

• Quality of the text and illustrations.
• Conveys evident themes of compassion, kindness, humanity, environmentalism, inclusivity and/or connection to the land.
• Appropriateness of style and presentation. Books should have notable qualities in all of the elements pertinent to it, such as interpretation of theme and concept.
• Books need to be self-contained and not dependent on other media for its enjoyment.
• Presentation of information including accuracy, clarity and organization.
• Treatment of the material (in the case of non-fiction) or elements of the story that draw upon or are inspired by real cultures, folklore and history should be done respectfully and authentically.
• Books should have been written for a youth audience (Grades 4-6/Ages 9-12)* and should achieve excellence of presentation.
• Book is to be considered as a contribution to literature.
• The popularity of a book and didactic intent are not to be considered.

Eligibility Requirements

• Books must be published during the previous calendar year.
• Both the author and illustrator must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada (minimum two-year residency).
• Books may be published in Canada or abroad.
• No posthumous submissions.
• Books must be first foreign or first Canadian editions. New editions or re-issues of previously published titles are not eligible for submission.
• Books must be in English.
• Translations are eligible, provided the translator is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada (minimum two-year residency).
• Eligible categories of illustrated books include advance picture books, non-fiction, and graphic novels suitable for young readers in Grades 4-6/Ages 9-12*.
• Books being submitted for consideration must be original works.
• Books based on traditional stories (e.g., folk literature) will be considered if the book is the result of original research and the retelling and interpretation are the writer’s own.
• Books based on recorded songs are not eligible.
• Works containing AI-authored content, in part or in whole, or AI-generated illustrations, are not eligible for submission. Use of AI for research, minor editorial, or formatting support may be permitted. If a work is found to include ineligible AI-generated content after submission, it will be disqualified at the submitter’s expense. Submission fees will not be refunded and submitted materials will not be returned.
• Books written as part of a series or published in serial form will be judged as separate entries and must be able to ‘stand-alone’.
• The award is only for books in the printed format, as distinct from digital (i.e., ebooks) and audio-visual formats.
• Books in manuscript form are not eligible.
• All books must have an ISBN and be distributed in Canada.
• Self-published books are eligible for submission provided they have a valid ISBN.

*   If a book’s primary audience is outside of the grade/age range listed for this award, but you feel the book has a broader appeal to young people within this range, we encourage you to submit it.

Prize Distribution

• If the winning title is a picture book, graphic novel, or if 40% or more of the text area is composed of original illustrations, the prize will be split equally between and author and illustrator.
• If the winning title is a translated work, the prize will be split 70% to the author and 30% to the translator. In the case of illustrated works where 40% or more of the text area is made up of original illustrations, the prize would be equally split between the author and illustrator; the author will retain 70% of their portion with 30% being awarded to the translator.