Congratulations to the Fan Brothers for Lizzy and the Cloud, winner of the 2023 Annual Sheila Barry Best Canadian Picturebook of the Year Award.
Register to attend a celebration of the winning and honour books at our Annual VCLR Breakfast on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at the University Golf Club.
The winning book is: LIZZY AND THE CLOUD by the Fan Brothers, published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
When you step into a world that the Fan Brothers have created, you are always ready for the unexpected. Lizzy and the Cloud does not disappoint. A heartfelt story about change and loss that will enchant children and adults alike. A typical walk in the park is far from ordinary in this whimsical picturebook world. A cloud seller in Lizzy’s local park, holding a string of animal shaped clouds, parrots, elephants and rabbits, is quite a sight to behold. He even has to dodge the constant rain that is dripping down below the cloud strings he is holding! However, Lizzy only has eyes for an ordinary cloud, which she names Milo. With care instructions in hand, she tends Milo until the cloud becomes too big for her room. The sparse text and intricate images complement each other in this picturebook, drawing the reader into the story as we witness the choices Lizzy ultimately makes as Milo grows and grows over the course of a year.
The black and white pencil drawings contain detail and depth, which makes the reader linger on each page. The use of shading, texture and a muted colour palette create a dreamy world, where elements of colour pop on each page. The salient use of the yellow hue highlights Lizzy’s wellington boots on nearly each page. Not unlike a movie scene, the Fan Brothers use differing points of view and play with perspective to follow Lizzy’s cloud journey around her neighbourhood. Whether standing on top of a building or from a bird’s eye view, the reader is able to enjoy close-ups or wide-angle shots of Lizzy’s neighbourhood.
If you love something, you must set it free, is ultimately Lizzy’s own realization. No adult explanation is needed. Lizzy is worldly beyond her years, and with her newfound understanding and agency, she amends the original rules for caring for a cloud and adds rule #7 “Let your cloud float free.”
The Fan Brothers in Lizzy and the Cloud, have created a timeless story for children, that explains loss in a nuanced and sensitive manner.
Four Honorable Mentions
As Glenn as Can Be , written by Sarah Ellis and illustrated by Nancy Vo, published by Groundwood
This wonderful children’s non-fiction book by Sarah Ellis on the amazing, talented, and unique life of Canadian composer and pianist Glenn Gould highlights his individuality from a very young age.
One of the major themes of the book is that “it is OK to just be ‘you’”. The text with its question-and-answer technique contrasts Gould’s likes and dislikes as he grows up and captures the ebb and flow of one’s life that children can identify with and celebrate. It can also inspire children to accept and understand other people regardless of their differences.
Nancy Vo’s absorbing watercolour illustrations capture the intent of the text and adds an extra quality in understanding Gould’s personality as he grows up.
The book ends with an enlightening one-page author’s note that answers the question of “Who was this odd, brilliant musician”. There is also a list of further reading and listening materials for both kids and adults to pursue. Included are juicy tidbits on how to find Glenn’s Grade 5 report card and a photo of his dog online and watching him sing to elephants on YouTube. A delight for all the senses.
Night Lunch. Written by Eric Fan and illustrated by Dena Seiferling, published by Tundra Books
Celebrated children’s book creator, Eric Fan of the Internationally renowned Fan Brothers, makes his writer-only debut in Night Lunch. Teaming up with award winning illustrator, Dena Seiferling, the two immerse the readers into a dream-like glimpse into an anthropomorphic nocturnal world, and a magical ode to the Victorian lunch cart.
Fan’s sparse rhythmic couplets and Seiferling’s sepia toned, digitally created scratch art set the tone for a soothing and cozy read at bedtime. “Clip clop, a midnight moon. The night lunch cart rolls in”. A quiet Victorian streetscape is barely illuminated by the distant full moon, glowing nightlamps, and the twinkling lights of an approaching horse-drawn cart. The wide-eyed Owl chef stops to set up shop, luring the growling bellies and sniffing noses of various night animals. Oven humming and pots banging, Owl’s delectable delights of mince pie, sausage and peppers, and puddings satiate his anticipating animal patrons, while a hungry little mouse discreetly sweeps the streets, hoping for a dropped crumb. When “Tick tock, time to stop” and dawn approaches, Owl spots the street sweeper, trembling outside the lunch cart. Has Own found his night lunch? Alas not, with kindness and generosity, “One two, just like that”, Owl prepares a night lunch feast for two.
With its nursery-rhyme cadence coupled with stunningly rich and subtle illustration, Fan and Seiferling deliver an enchanting and mesmerizing night tale. Winner of the 2022 Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award, Night Lunch gets top honours for this year’s Sheila Barry Best Canadian Picturebook of the Year Award.
Kumo the Bashful Cloud, written by Kyo Maclear and illustrated by Nathalie Dion, published by Tundra Books
In this contemplative, uplifting picturebook about overcoming shyness and facing fears, a small cloud called Kumo (Japanese for “cloud”) learns about connecting and being brave in new situations. Kumo likes to remain invisible in the big sky, but when help is needed, she rises to the occasion and assists others. On her travels Kumo meets a boy who enjoys daydreaming as much as her, and she makes beautiful animal shapes for him, which he repays with chalk drawings, or a “love letter.”
Maclear uses Japanese vocabulary and scientific cloud names to add greater depth to a sparse text. The quiet story that unfolds slowly, mirrors the expansive, ephemeral illustrations of Dion. The author and illustrator manage to lay a quiet spell on the reader, enveloping them in the stillness of a sky filled with fluffy, wondrous clouds. The warm pastel tones give Kumo and his cloud friends a lighter than air-quality, and captures the dreamy, delicate colour of sky-blue pink. Dion uses different perspectives in the illustrations, which allow the reader to build a connection with Kumo, as we follow along on her journey of self-discovery.
This sweet story celebrates a cloud’s blossoming confidence in a way that many readers will find relatable. Becoming visible leads to friendships, adventure and confidence for Kumo, which will provide gentle encouragement for younger readers. A reassuring and gentle exposition on overcoming shyness and building confidence.
Still This Love Goes On. written by Buffy Sainte-Marie and illustrated by Julie Flett, published by Greystone Kids
Described as a “love letter to family, home, and Indigenous traditions” by Kirkus reviews, Still This Love Goes On by world renown Cree singer-songwriter Buffy Saint-Marie, and illustrated by award-winning Cree-Metis author-illustrator, Julie Flett, is exactly that. Based on her song of the same name, the lyrics/text of this picture book beat to a gentle rhyming rhythm, much like the rhythm of changing seasons in northern Alberta that this book so beautifully depicts. From winter – “Sat beside the beaver damn and watched winter grow” to summer when “Once, I saw the summer flowers turn the fields to sun”. While Saint-Marie describes within the book’s endnote writing the song as “taking pictures with my heart of the things I see on the reserve”, Julie Flett further brings the narrative to life with her stunning illustrations. Rendered in pencil and pastels and composed digitally, vast landscapes grace double-paged spreads featuring earth tones of buffalo running across fields, deeply shadowed hills against the looming night sky, or the mossy green hills where jingle dancers prance hand in hand.
Still This Loves Goes On in both text and illustration, is an ode to Cree worldview: “In every dream I can smell the sweetgrass burning/ And in my heart always hear the drum”. The refrain “still this love goes on” speaks to the everlasting memory and love of home, those we miss, and those we hold dear to our heart. Read-, sing-, or hum along – this upbeat and uplifting book is timeless, and while culturally specific, will captivate all audiences alike with its universal themes of home, love, and family. The back matter of Still This Love Goes On includes the musical score for the song and notes from Sainte-Marie and Flett. Named New York Times / New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Book of 2022.