Sharon Fitzhenry Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction

The Sharon Fitzhenry Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction honours excellence in Canadian children’s non-fiction books for Grades 4-12 (Ages 8-18). Established in 2024, with the first prize awarded in 2025, the award is named in memory of the late Sharon Fitzhenry, former President & CEO of Fitzhenry & Whiteside. Supported by the Fitzhenry Family Foundation, this annual award celebrates the books Sharon championed throughout her career and comes with a cash prize of $10,000.

Eligibility, Guidelines & Fees

Updated: January 2026

The Sharon Fitzhenry Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction honours excellence in Canadian children’s non-fiction books for Grades 4-12 (Ages 8-18).

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:

• Text should be of exceptional quality and present the subject matter in a way that both informs and excites interest. Visuals, also of an exceptional quality, should clarify, extend and complement the text.
• The winning entry will be based on an original subject or will explore a familiar subject in a new and interesting way.
• Research should be sound and the information contained in the book must be correct and current.
• Treatment of the material should be respectful of the subject and of the reader and be authentically portrayed.
• All nominated books should have good production values, with a visual design that presents the material in a clear and engaging manner.

Eligibility Requirements

• Books must be published during the previous calendar year.
• Both the author and illustrator (if applicable) must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada (minimum two-year residency).
• No posthumous submissions.
• Books must be published in Canada.
• Books must be 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).
• Books should be written for young people Ages 8-18 (Grades 4-12). Adult books are not eligible.
• Non-fiction books in the following categories are eligible: Culture and the Arts, Science, Biography, History, Geography, Reference, Sports, Activities and Pastimes.
• Non-fiction books in graphic novel format are 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.
• 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.

Prize Distribution

• The award is for the book. The award will go to the author unless 40% or more of the text area is composed of original illustrations, in which case the award will be divided equally between 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.