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, is awarded annually with a cash prize of $2,500 to a Canadian children’s title written for an elementary school-aged audience in Grades 4-6 (Ages 9-12) exemplifying Richard’s guiding principles of compassion, kindness, humanity, environmentalism, inclusivity, and connection to the land. 

Submissions will open in January 2026.

Past Winners and Finalists

  • Hummingbird / Aamo-binashee
    Hummingbird / Aamo-binashee
    Written and illustrated by Jennifer Leason, Anishinaabemowin translation by Norman Chartrand and Jennifer Leason
    Orca Book Publishers, 2024
    Winner
  • I Wonder About Worlds: Discovering Planets and Exoplanets
    I Wonder About Worlds: Discovering Planets and Exoplanets
    Written by James Gladstone, illustrated by Yaraa Eshet
    Owlkids Books, 2024
    Finalist
  • Mighty Scared: The Amazing Ways Animals Defend Themselves
    Mighty Scared: The Amazing Ways Animals Defend Themselves
    Written by Erin Silver, illustrated by Hayden Maynard
    Orca Book Publishers, 2024
    Finalist
  • A Song for the Paper Children
    A Song for the Paper Children
    Written by Christoper Tse
    Plumleaf Press, 2024
    Finalist
  • Two Pieces of Chocolate
    Two Pieces of Chocolate
    Written by Kathy Kacer, illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard
    Second Story Press, 2024
    Finalist
  • Alone: The Journeys of Three Young Refugees
    2024
    Alone: The Journeys of Three Young Refugees
    Written by Paul Tom - Illustrated by Mélanie Baillairgé - Translated by Arielle Aaronson
    Groundwood Books
    Winner
  • The Halifax Explosion: 6 December 1917, at 9:05 in the Morning
    2024
    The Halifax Explosion: 6 December 1917, at 9:05 in the Morning
    Written by Afua Cooper - Illustrated by Rebecca Bender
    Plumleaf Press
    Finalist
  • The Secret Pocket
    2024
    The Secret Pocket
    Written by Peggy Janicki - Illustrated by Carrielynn Victor
    Orca Book Publishers
    Finalist
  • Shizue's Path
    2024
    Shizue's Path
    Written by Mark Sakamoto - Illustrated by Rachel Wada
    HarperCollins Publishers
    Finalist
  • A Star Explodes: The Story of Supernova 1054
    2024
    A Star Explodes: The Story of Supernova 1054
    Written by James Gladstone - Illustrated by Yaara Eshet
    Owlkids Books
    Finalist