TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award

On October 28, 2004 the Canadian Children’s Book Centre and the TD Bank Group announced the establishment of an annual children’s book award, the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award. The award recognized excellence in Canadian children’s literature by awarding two cash prizes of $50,000 each to an English-language book and a French-language book which are deemed to have made a significant contribution to excellence in Canadian children’s literature. The celebration of diversity is an equally significant element in achieving excellence. A work of excellence in Canadian children’s literature should also be successful in making people feel a sense of belonging in their communities.

2024 was the last year for the award.

Past Winners and Finalists

  • Skating Wild on an Inland Sea
    2024
    Skating Wild on an Inland Sea
    Written by Jean E. Pendziwol - Illustrated by Todd Stewart
    Groundwood Books
    Winner
  • Do You Remember?
    2024
    Do You Remember?
    Written and illustrated by Sydney Smith
    Groundwood Books
    Finalist
  • Green Papayas
    2024
    Green Papayas
    Written by Nhung N. Tran-Davies - Illustrated by Gillian Newland
    Red Deer Press
    Finalist
  • Simon Sort of Says
    2024
    Simon Sort of Says
    Written by Erin Bow
    Scholastic Canada
    Finalist
  • The Umbrella House
    2024
    The Umbrella House
    Written by Colleen Nelson
    Pajama Press
    Finalist
  • Weird Rules to Follow
    2023
    Weird Rules to Follow
    Written by Kim Spencer
    Orca Book Publishers, 2022
    Winner
  • Berani
    2023
    Berani
    Written by Michelle Kadarusman
    Pajama Press, 2022
    Finalist
  • Kunoichi Bunny
    2023
    Kunoichi Bunny
    Written by Sara Cassidy - Illustrated by Brady Sato
    Orca Book Publishers, 2022
    Finalist
  • Sitting Shiva
    2023
    Sitting Shiva
    Written by Erin Silver - Illustrated by Michelle Theodore 
    Orca Book Publishers, 2022
    Finalist
  • The Witness Blanket: Truth, Art and Reconciliation
    2023
    The Witness Blanket: Truth, Art and Reconciliation
    Written by Carey Newman -   - and Kirstie Hudson
    Orca Book Publishers, 2022
    Finalist
  • On the Trapline
    2022
    On the Trapline
    Written by David A. Robertson - Illustrated by Julie Flett
    Tundra Books, 2021
    Winner
  • Borders
    2022
    Borders
    Written by Thomas King - Illustrated by Natasha Donovan
    HarperCollins Publishers, 2021
    Finalist
  • The Fabulous Zed Watson!
    2022
    The Fabulous Zed Watson!
    Written by Basil Sylvester and Kevin Sylvester - Illustrated by Kevin Sylvester
    HarperCollins Publishers, 2021
    Finalist
  • Growing Up Trans: In Our Own Words
    2022
    Growing Up Trans: In Our Own Words
    Edited by Dr. Lindsay Herriot and Kate Fry
    Orca Book Publishers, 2021
    Finalist
  • A
    2022
    A
    Kid Is a Kid Is a Kid - Written by Sara O'Leary - Illustrated by Qin Leng
    Groundwood Books, 2021
    Finalist
  • The Barnabus Project
    2021
    The Barnabus Project
    Written and illustrated by the Fan Brothers
    Tundra Books, 2020
    Winner
  • Bloom
    2021
    Bloom
    (The Bloom Trilogy) - Written by Kenneth Oppel
    HarperCollins Publishers, 2022
  • The Barren Grounds
    2021
    The Barren Grounds
    (The Misewa Saga) - Written by David A. Robertson
    Puffin Canada, 2020
    Finalist
  • A
    2021
    A
    Beginner's Guide to Goodbye - Written by Melanie Mosher
    Nimbus Publishing, 2020
    Finalist
  • When Emily Was Small
    2021
    When Emily Was Small
    Written and illustrated by Lauren Soloy
    Tundra Books, 2020
    Finalist
  • Birdsong
    2020
    Birdsong
    Written and illustrated by Julie Flett
    Greystone Kids, 2019
    Winner
  • Broken Strings
    2020
    Broken Strings
    Written by Eric Walters and Kathy Kacer
    Puffin Canada, 2019
    Finalist
  • It Began With a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way
    2020
    It Began With a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way
    Written by Kyo Maclear - Illustrated by Julie Morstad
    Tundra Books, 2019
    Finalist
  • Small in the City
    2020
    Small in the City
    Written and illustrated by Sydney Smith
    Groundwood Books, 2019
    Finalist
  • Stand on the Sky
    2020
    Stand on the Sky
    Written by Erin Bow
    Scholastic Canada, 2019
    Finalist
  • Ebb & Flow
    2019
    Ebb & Flow
    Written by Heather Smith
    Kids Can Press, 2018
    Winner
  • After Life: Ways We Think About Death
    2019
    After Life: Ways We Think About Death
    Written by Merrie-Ellen Wilcox
    Orca Book Publishers, 2018
    Finalist
  • Mustafa
    2019
    Mustafa
    Written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay
    Groundwood Books, 2018
    Finalist
  • Sweep: A Story About a Girl and Her Monster
    2019
    Sweep: A Story About a Girl and Her Monster
    Written by Jonathan Auxier
    Puffin Canada, 2018
    Finalist
  • They Say Blue
    2019
    They Say Blue
    Written and illustrated by Jillian Tamaki
    Groundwood Books, 2018
    Finalist
  • Town Is by the Sea
    2018
    Town Is by the Sea
    Written by Joanne Schwartz - Illustrated by Sydney Smith
    Groundwood Books, 2017
    Winner
  • Dragonfly Song
    2018
    Dragonfly Song
    Written by Wendy Orr
    Pajama Press, 2017
    Finalist
  • Picture the Sky
    2018
    Picture the Sky
    Written and illustrated by Barbara Reid
    North Winds Press, 2017
    Finalist
  • Speaking Our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation
    2018
    Speaking Our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation
    Written by Monique Gray Smith
    Orca Book Publishers, 2017
    Finalist
  • When the Moon Comes
    2018
    When the Moon Comes
    Written by Paul Harbridge - Illustrated by Matt James
    Tundra Books, 2017
    Finalist
  • The Tragic Tale of the Great Auk
    2017
    The Tragic Tale of the Great Auk
    Written and illustrated by Jan Thornhill
    Groundwood Books, 2016
    Winner
  • A Day of Signs and Wonders
    2017
    A Day of Signs and Wonders
    Written by Kit Pearson
    HarperTrophy Canada, 2016
    Finalist
  • The Skeleton Tree
    2017
    The Skeleton Tree
    Written by Iain Lawrence
    Tundra Books, 2016
    Finalist
  • Tokyo Digs a Garden
    2017
    Tokyo Digs a Garden
    Written by Jon-Erik Lappano - Illustrated by Kellen Hatanaka
    Groundwood Books, 2016
    Finalist
  • When We Were Alone
    2017
    When We Were Alone
    Written by David A. Robertson - Illustrated by Juie Flett
    HighWater Press, 2016
    Finalist
  • Missing Nimâmâ
    2016
    Missing Nimâmâ
    Written by Melanie Florence - Illustrated by François Thisdale
    Clockwise Press, 2015
    Winner
  • The Nest
    2016
    The Nest
    Written by Kenneth Oppel - Illustrated by Jon Klassen
    HarperCollins Publishers, 2015
    Finalist
  • That Squeak
    2016
    That Squeak
    Written by Carolyn Beck - Illustrated by François Thisdale
    Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2015
    Finalist
  • The Wolf-Birds
    2016
    The Wolf-Birds
    Written and illustrated by Willow Dawson
    Owlkids Books, 2015
    Finalist
  • A Year of Borrowed Men
    2016
    A Year of Borrowed Men
    Written by Michelle Barker - Illustrated by Renné Benoit
    Pajama Press, 2015
    Finalist
  • The Night Gardener
    2015
    The Night Gardener
    Written by Jonathan Auxier
    Puffin Canada, 2014
    Winner
  • Any Questions?
    2015
    Any Questions?
    Written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay
    Groundwood Books, 2014
    Finalist
  • A Brush Full of Colour: The World of Ted Harrison
    2015
    A Brush Full of Colour: The World of Ted Harrison
    Written by Margriet Ruurs and Katherine Gibson
    Pajama Press, 2014
    Finalist
  • From Vimy to Victory: Canada's Fight to the Finish in World War I
    2015
    From Vimy to Victory: Canada's Fight to the Finish in World War I
    Written by Hugh Brewster
    Scholastic Canada, 2014
    Finalist
  • Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress
    2015
    Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress
    Written by Christine Baldacchino - Illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant
    Groundwood Books, 2014
    Finalist
  • The Man with the Violin
    2014
    The Man with the Violin
    Written by Kathy Stinson - Illustrated by Dusan Petricic
    Annick Press, 2013
    Winner
  • Branded the Pink Triangle
    2014
    Branded the Pink Triangle
    Written by Ken Setterington
    Second Story Press, 2013
    Finalist
  • In the Tree House
    2014
    In the Tree House
    Written by Andrew Larsen - Illustrated by Dusan Petricic
    Kids Can Press, 2013
    Finalist
  • Once Upon a Northern Night
    2014
    Once Upon a Northern Night
    Written by Jean E. Pendziwol - Illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault
    Groundwood Books, 2013
    Finalist
  • The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B
    2014
    The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B
    Written by Teresa Toten
    Doubleday Canada, 2013
    Finalist
  • One Year in Coal Harbour
    2013
    One Year in Coal Harbour
    Written by Polly Horvath
    Groundwood Books, 2012
    Winner
  • Kids of Kabul: Living Bravely Through a Never-Ending War
    2013
    Kids of Kabul: Living Bravely Through a Never-Ending War
    Written by Deborah Ellis
    Groundwood Books, 2012
  • The Stamp Collector
    2013
    The Stamp Collector
    Written by Jennifer Lanthier - Illustrated by François Thisdale
    Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2012
    Finalist
  • Virginia Wolf
    2013
    Virginia Wolf
    Written by Kyo Maclear - Illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault
    Kids Can Press, 2012
    Finalist
  • The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen
    2013
    The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen
    Written by Susin Nielsen
    Tundra Books, 2012
    Finalist
  • Stones for My Father
    2012
    Stones for My Father
    Written by Trilby Kent
    Tundra Books, 2011
    Winner
  • Off to Class: Incredible and Unusual Schools Around the World
    2012
    Off to Class: Incredible and Unusual Schools Around the World
    Written by Susan Hughes
    Owlkids Books, 2011
    Finalist
  • Seal Song
    2012
    Seal Song
    Written by Andrea Spalding - Illustrated by Pascal Milelli
    Orca Book Publishers, 2011
    Finalist
  • The Dragon Turn: The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His Fifth Case
    2012
    The Dragon Turn: The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His Fifth Case
    Written by Shane Peacock
    Tundra Books, 2011
    Finalist
  • No Ordinary Day
    2012
    No Ordinary Day
    Written by Deborah Ellis
    Groundwood Books, 2011
    Finalist
  • Plain Kate
    2011
    Plain Kate
    Written by Erin Bow
    Scholastic Canada, 2010
    Winner
  • The Know Here
    2011
    The Know Here
    Written by Laural Croza - Illustrated by Matt James
    Groundwood Books, 2010
    Finalist
  • Canadian Railroad Trilogy
    2011
    Canadian Railroad Trilogy
    Written by Gordon Lightfoot - Illustrated by Ian Wallace
    Groundwood Books, 2010
    Finalist
  • Burn
    2011
    Burn
    Written by Alma Fullerton
    Dancing Cat Books, 2010
    Finalist
  • The Glory Wind
    2011
    The Glory Wind
    Written by Valerie Sherrard
    Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2010
    Finalist
  • The Hunchback Assignments
    2010
    The Hunchback Assignments
    Written by Arthur Slade
    HarperCollins Publishers, 2009
    Winner
  • Dragon Seer
    2010
    Dragon Seer
    Written by Janet McNaughton
    HarperCollins Publishers, 2009
    Finalist
  • Home Free
    2010
    Home Free
    (A Gutsy Girl Book) - Written by Sharon Jennings
    Second Story Press, 2009
    Finalist
  • A Thousand Years of Pirates
    2010
    A Thousand Years of Pirates
    Written and illustrated by William Gilkerson
    Tundra Books, 2009
    Finalist
  • Watching Jimmy
    2010
    Watching Jimmy
    Written by Nancy Hartry
    Tundra Books, 2009
    Finalist
  • Shin-chi's Canoe
    2009
    Shin-chi's Canoe
    Written by Nicola I. Campbell - Illustrated by Kim LaFave
    Groundwood Books, 2008
    Winner
  • Death in the Air: The Boy Sherlock Holmes, This Second Case
    2009
    Death in the Air: The Boy Sherlock Holmes, This Second Case
    Written by Shane Peacock
    Tundra Books, 2008
    Finalist
  • Libertad
    2009
    Libertad
    Written by Alma Fullerton
    Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2008
    Finalist
  • Thing-Thing
    2009
    Thing-Thing
    Written by Cary Fagan - Illustrated by Nicolas Debon
    Tundra Books, 2008
    Finalist
  • Word Nerd
    2009
    Word Nerd
    Written by Susin Nielsen
    Tundra Books, 2008
    Finalist
  • Elijah of Buxton
    2008
    Elijah of Buxton
    Written by Christopher Paul Curtis
    Scholastic Canada, 2007
    Winner
  • Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose: The Story of a Painting
    2008
    Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose: The Story of a Painting
    Written by Hugh Brewster - Illustrated by John Singer Sargent
    Kids Can Press, 2007
    Finalist
  • Darkwing
    2008
    Darkwing
    Written by Kenneth Oppel
    HarperCollins Publishers, 2007
    Finalist
  • Eye of the Crow: The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His First Case
    2008
    Eye of the Crow: The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His First Case
    Written by Shane Peacock
    Tundra Books, 2007
    Finalist
  • Please, Louise
    2008
    Please, Louise
    Written by Frieda Wishinsky - Illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay
    Groundwood Books, 2007
    Finalist
  • Odd Man Out
    2007
    Odd Man Out
    Written by Sarah Ellis
    Groundwood Books, 2006
    Winner
  • I Found a Dead Bird: The Kids' Guide to the Cycle of Life & Death 
    2007
    I Found a Dead Bird: The Kids' Guide to the Cycle of Life & Death 
    Written by Jan Thornhill
    Maple Tree Press, 2006
    Finalist
  • Johnny Kellock Died Today
    2007
    Johnny Kellock Died Today
    Written by Hadley Dyer
    HarperCollins Canada, 2006
    Finalist
  • Rex Zero and the End of the World
    2007
    Rex Zero and the End of the World
    Written by Tim Wynne-Jones
    Groundwood Books, 2006
    Finalist
  • Stanley's Wild Ride
    2007
    Stanley's Wild Ride
    Written by Linda Bailey - Illustrated by Bill Slavin
    Kids Can Press, 2006
    Finalist
  • The Crazy Man
    2006
    The Crazy Man
    Written by Pamela Porter
    Groundwood Books, 2005
    Winner
  • The Crazy Man
    2006
    The Crazy Man
    Written by Pamela Porter
    Groundwood Books, 2005
    Finalist
  • Earth to Audrey
    2006
    Earth to Audrey
    Written by Susan Hughes - Illustrated by Stéphane Poulin
    Kids Can Press, 2005
    Finalist
  • Mella and the N'anga: An African Tale
    2006
    Mella and the N'anga: An African Tale
    Written by Gail Nyoka
    Sumach Press, 2005
    Finalist
  • Shi-shi-etko
    2006
    Shi-shi-etko
    Written by Nicola I. Campbell - Illustrated by Kim LaFave
    Groundwood Books, 2005
    Finalist
  • Mabel Riley: A Reliable Record of Humdrum, Peril, and Romance
    2005
    Mabel Riley: A Reliable Record of Humdrum, Peril, and Romance
    Written by Marthe Jocelyn
    Tundra Books, 2004
    Winner
  • After Sylvia
    2005
    After Sylvia
    Written by Alan Cumyn
    Groundwood Books, 2004
    Finalist
  • Airborn
    2005
    Airborn
    Written by Kenneth Oppel
    HarperCollins Publishers, 2004
    Finalist
  • Peg and the Yeti
    2005
    Peg and the Yeti
    Written by Kenneth Oppel - Illustrated by Barbara Reid
    HarperCollins Canada, 2004
    Finalist
  • Red Land, Yellow River: A Story from the Cultural Revolution
    2005
    Red Land, Yellow River: A Story from the Cultural Revolution
    Written and illustrated by Ange Zhang
    Groundwood Books, 2004
    Finalist