The Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award is given to a book that arouses interest, stimulates curiosity, captures the imagination, and fosters concern for the world around us. The award’s aim is to recognize excellence in Canadian publishing of non-fiction for children. Below is an archive of previous awards lists.
-2022-
Winner
Wild Outside: Around the World with Survivorman. By Les Stroud. Illustrated by Andrew P. Barr. Published by Annick Press.
Honour books
The Strangest Thing in the Sea: And Other Curious Creatures of the Deep. By Rachel Poliquin. Illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler. Published by Kids Can Press
It Takes Guts: How Your Body Turns Food into Fuel (and Poop). By Dr. Jennifer Gardy. Illustrated by Belle Wuthrich. Published by Greystone Books
2022 Info Book Award Shortlist (pdf)
-2021-
Winner
The Boreal Forest. By L. E. Carmichael. Illustrated by Josée Bisaillon. Published by Kids Can Press.
Honour books
Powwow: A Celebration through Song and Dance. By Karen PheasantNeganigwane. Published by Orca Book Publishers.
2021 Info Book Award Shortlist (pdf)
-2020-
Winner
It Began With a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way. By Kyo Maclear. Illustrated by Julie Morstad. Published by Tundra Books.
Honour books
- I Am a Feminist: Claiming the F-Word in Turbulent TimesI Am a Feminist: Claiming the F-Word in Turbulent Times. By Monique Polak. Published by Orca Book Publishers.
- Beastly Puzzles: A Brain-Boggling Animal Guessing Game. By Rachel Poliquin. Illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler. Published by Kids Can Press.
- Moon Mission. By Sigmund Brouwer. Published by Kids Can Press.
2020 Info Book Award Shortlist (pdf)
-2019-
Winner
Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein, by Linda Bailey. Illustrated by Júlia Sardà. Published by Tundra.
Honour book
Ramadan: The Holy Month of Fasting by Ausma Zehranat Khan. Published by Orca Book Publishers.
2019 Info Book Award Shortlist (pdf)
-2018-
Winner
Speaking Our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation, by Monique Gray Smith. Published by Orca Book Publishers.
Honour book
Eyes & Spies: How You’re Tracked, and Why You Should Know, by Tanya Lloyd Kyi. Illustrated by Belle Wuthrich. Published by Annick Press.
2018 Info Book Award Shortlist (pdf)
-2017-
Winner
The Tragic Tale of the Great Auk, by Jan Thornhill. Published by Groundwood.
Honour book
Adrift at Sea: A Vietnamese Boy’s Story of Survival, by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch with Tuan Ho Art by Brian Deines. Published by Pajama Press.
2017 Info Book Award Shortlist (pdf)
-2016-
Winner
West Coast Wild: A Nature Alphabet Written by Deborah Hodge. Illustrated by Karen Reczuch. (Groundwood 2015)
Honour book
Child Soldier: When Boys and Girls are Used in War By Jessica Dee Humphreys and Michel Chikwanine. Illustrated by Claudia Davila. (KidsCan Press, 2015)
2016 Info Book Award Shortlist (pdf)
-2015-
Winner
A Brush Full of Colour: The World of Ted Harrison by Margriet Ruurs and Katherine Gibson (Pajama Press, 2014)
Honour book
Dreaming in Indian: Contemporary Native American Voices Edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale (Annick Press, 2014)
2015 Info Book Award Preliminary List (pdf)
-2014-
Winner
Pedal It! How Bicycles are Changing the World by Michelle Mulder (Orca Books, 2013)
Honour Book
Pay It Forward Kids: Small Acts, Big Change by Nancy Runstedler (Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2013)
2014 Info Book Award Finalists (pdf)
2014 Info Book Award Preliminary List (pdf)
2014 Book Trailer Video (YouTube)
About the students that made the book trailer videos.
-2013-
Winner
Potatoes on Rooftops: Farming in the City by Hadley Dyer (Annick Press, 2012).
Honour Book
Rescuing the Children: The Story of the Kindertransport by Deborah Hodge (Tundra, 2012).
2013 Info Book Award Preliminary List (pdf)
-2012-
2012 Information Book Award Finalists (pdf)
-2011-
Winner
50 Burning Questions: A Sizzling History of Fire by Tanya Lloyd Kyi. Illustrated by Ross Kinnaird. Toronto: Annick Press, 2010.
2011 Information Book Winner and Honour Book
2011 Information Book Award Finalists
-2010-
Winner
How to Build Your Own Country by Valerie Wyatt. Illustrated by Fred Rix. Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2009.
-2009-
Winner
One Peace: True Stories of Young Activist, byt Janet Wilson. Orca Book Publishers.
2009 Information Book Award Finalists
A Bear in War, by Stephanie Innes & Harry Endrulat. Illustrated by Brian Deines. Key Porter.
The Delta Is My Home, by Tom McLeod & Mindy Willett. Photographed by Tessa Macintosh. Fifth House.
Everything but the Kitchen Sink (Weird Stuff You Didn’t Know about Food), by Frieda Wishinsky & Elizabeth Macleod. Illustrated by Travis King. Scholastic.
One Peace: True Stories of Young Activists, by Janet Wilson. Orca.
Polar Worlds: Life at the Ends of the Earth, by Robert Bateman with Nancy Kovacs. Scholastic/Madison Press.
Robots: From Everyday to Out of This World, by the Editors of Yes Magazine. Kids Can Press.
– 2008 –
Winner
One Well: The Story of Water on Earth, by Rochelle Strauss. Illustrated by Rosemary Woods. Kids Can Press.
Honour
Carnation, Lily, Lily Rose: The Story of a Painting, by Hugh Brewster. Paintings by John Singer Sargent. Kids Can Press.
2008 Winner & Honour Books Information Book Award
Birds of Prey: An Introduction, by Robert Bateman (with Nancy Kovacs). Scholastic/Madison Press.
Bugs Up Close, by Diane Swanson. Photographs by Paul Davidson. Kids Can Press.
How Soccer Works, by Keltie Thomas. Illustrated by Stephen MacEachern. Maple Tree Press.
The Kids’ Guide to Global Warming, by Jan Thornhill, Maple Tree Press.
– 2007 –
Winner
I Found a Dead Bird: The Kids’ Guide to the Cycle of Life and Death, by Jan Thornhill. Maple Tree Press.
Honour
At Vimy Ridge: Canada’s Greatest World War I Victory, by Hugh Brewster. Scholastic Canada.
2007 Winner & Honour Books Information Book Award
The Kids Book of Canadian Immigration, by Deborah Hodge; illustrated by John Mantha. Kids Can Press.
Ryan and Jimmy and the Well in Africa that Brought Them Together, by Herb Shoveller. Kids Can Press.
You Can’t Read This: Forbidden Books, Lost Writing, Mistranslations and Codes, by Val Ross. Tundra Books.
– 2006 –
Winner
Transformed: how everyday things are made, written by Bill Slavin; with Jim Slavin; illustrated by Bill Slavin. Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2005.
Honour
Terry Fox: a story of hope, by Maxine Trottier. Toronto: Scholastic Canada, 2005.
Finalists
Are you psychic? The official guide for kids, by Helaine Becker. Toronto: Maple Tree Press, 2005.
Backyard birds: an introduction, by Robert Bateman with Ian Coutts; consultation by Nancy Kovacs. Markham, ON: Scholastic Canada, 2005.
The Blue jean book: the story behind the seams, by Tanya Lloyd Kyi, Toronto, ON: Annick Press, 2005.
Media Madness: an insider’s guide to media, written by Dominic Ali; illustrated by Michael Cho. Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2005.
Our stories, our songs: African children talk about AIDS, by Deborah Ellis. Markham, ON: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2005.
– 2005 –
Winner
On Juno Beach: Canada’s D-Day Heroes, by Hugh Brewster. Scholastic
Honour
Red Land, Yellow River: A Story from the Cultural Revolution, by Ange Zhang. Groundwood Books
Finalists
Helen Keller: A Determined Life, by Elizabeth MacLeod. Kids Can Press
In Your Face: The Culture of Beauty and You, by Shari Graydon. Annick Press
That’s Very Canadian!: An Exceptionally Interesting Report About All Things Canadian, Vivien Bowers. Maple Tree Press
Three Wishes: Palestinian and Israeli Children Speak, by Deborah Ellis. Groundwood Books
– 2004 –
Winner
Made You Look: How Advertising Works and Why You Should Know, by Shari Graydon. Annick Press
Honour
Emily Carr: At The Edge Of The World, by Jo Ellen Bogart. Tundra Books
Finalists
Albert Einstein: A Life of Genius, by Elizabeth MacLeod. Kids Can Press
Archers, Alchemists and 98 Other Medieval Jobs You Might Have Loved or Loathed, by Priscilla Galloway. Annick Press
Emily Carr: At The Edge Of The World, Jo Ellen Bogart. Tundra Books
Made You Look: How Advertising Works and Why You Should Know, by Shari Graydon. Annick Press
The Road to There: Mapmakers and Their Stories, by Val Ross. Tundra Books
– 2003 –
Winner
Hana’s Suitcase , by Karen Levine. Second Story Press
Honour
Salmon Creek, by Annette LeJune 10, 2009ntures in Ancient Greece, by Linda Bailey. Kids Can Press
The Big Book of Canada: Exploring the Provinces and Territories, by Christopher Moore. Tundra Books
Capturing Joy: The Story of Maud Lewis, by Jo Ellen Bogart. Tundra Books
Hana’s Suitcase , by Karen Levine. Second Story Press
Salmon Creek, by Annette LeBox. Groundwood
– 2002 –
Winner
Where Poppies Grow: A World War One Companion, by Linda Granfield. Stoddart
Honour
A First Book of Canadian Art, by Richard Rhodes. Owl Books
Finalists
Where poppies grow: a World War One companion, by Linda Granfield. Stoddart
A first book of Canadian art, by Richard Rhodes. Owl Books
To the top of Everest, by Laurie Skreslet with Elizabeth MacLeod. Kids Can Press
Burp! The most interesting book you’ll ever read about eating, by Diane Swanson. Kids Can Press.
The kids book of Canadian firsts, by Valerie Wyatt. Kids Can Press
– 2001 –
Winner
The Kids Book of Canada’s Railway and How the CPR was Built, by Deborah Hodge illustrated by John Mantha. Kids Can Press
Honour
Pier 21: Gateway of Hope, by Linda Granfield. Tundra Books
Finalists
Canada, Our History: An Album Through Time, What Kids Saw as the Country Grew, by Rick Archbold. Doubleday
In the Time of the Knights, by Shelley Tanaka. Scholastic
The Kids Book of Canada’s Railway and How the CPR was Built, by Deborah Hodge. Kids Can Press
Pier 21: Gateway to Hope, by Linda Granfield. Tundra Books
Adventures in the Middle Ages, by Linda Bailey. Kids Can Press
From Far and Wide A Canadian Citizenship Scrapbook, by Jo Bannatyne-Cugnet. Tundra
Writing Maniac: How I Grew Up to be a Writer by Sheree Fitch. Pembroke Publishers
– 2000 –
Winner
Wow Canada! Exploring This Land From Coast to Coast to Coast. by Vivian Bowers. Illustrated by Dan Hobbs and Diane Eastman. Owl Books
Honour Book
Meet the Group of Seven. by David Wistow and Kelly McKinley. Kids Can Press
Finalists
Wow Canada! Exploring this Land from Coast to Coast to Coast. by Vivien Bowers. Illustrated by Dan Hobbs and Diane Eastman. Owl Books
High Flight by Linda Granfield. Illustrated by Michael Martchenko. Tundra Books
Alexander Graham Bell: An Inventive Life by Elizabeth MacLeod. Kids Can Press
Canada’s Maple Leaf: The Story of our Flag by Ann-Maureen Owens and Jane Yealland.
Illustrated by Bill Slavin and Esperanca Melo Kids Can Press
Secrets of the Mummies by Shelley Tanaka. Illustrated by Greg Ruhl. Scholastic/Madison Press
Meet the Group of Seven by David Wistow and Kelly McKinley Kids Can Press
– 1999 –
Winner
The Last Safe House: a Story of the Underground Railroad by Barbara Greenwood. Iillustrated by Heather Collins. Kids Can Press
Honour
One More Border: The True Story Of One Family’s Escape From War-Torn Europe
by William Kaplan with Shelley Tanaka .Illustrated by Stephen Taylor. Groundwood
Finalists
Safari by Robert Bateman. Penguin Studio / Madison Press
The Last Safe House: A Story of the Underground Railroad by Barbara Greenwood.
illustrated by Heather Collins. Kids Can Press
One More Border: The True Story of One Family’s Escape From War-Torn Europe
by William Kaplan with Shelly Tanaka illustrated by Stephen Taylor. Groundwood
52 Days by Camel-My Sahara Adventure by Lawrie Raskin with Deborah Pearson. Annick Press
Animals Eat the Weirdest Things by Diane Swanson. Illustrated by Terry Smith. Whitecap Books
Lost Temple of the Aztecs by Shelley Tanaka. llustrated by Greg Ruhl. Scholastic / Madison
– 1998 –
Winner
The Buried City of Pompeii, by Shelley Tanaka illustrated by Greg Ruhl. Scholastic
Honour
Crime Science, by Vivien Bowers illustrated by Martha Newbigging. Owl Books
Finalists
Crime Science, by Vivien Bowers. Illustrated by Martha Newbigging. Owl Books
Circus, by Linda Granfield. Groundwood / Douglas & McIntyre
The Kids Book of Canada, by Barbara Greenwood.Illustrated by Jock MacRae.Kids Can
Listen to Us: The World’s Working Children, by Jane Springer. Groundwood / Douglas &
McIntyre
Bug Bites,. by Diane Swanson. Whitecap Books
The Buried City of Pompeii, by Shelley Tanaka. Illustrated by Greg Ruhl. Scholastic / Madison
– 1997 –
Winner
On Board the Titanic, by Shelley Tanaka. Illustrated by Ken Marschall. Scholastic
Honour
Discovering the Iceman, by Shelley Tanaka. Illustrated by Laurie McGaw. Scholastic
Finalists
Cybersurfer: the Owl Internet Guide for Kids, by Nyala Ahmad. Illustrated by Martha Newbigging. Owl Books
Discovering the Iceman, by Shelley Tanaka. Illustrated by Laurie McGaw. Scholastic
Forts of Canada, by Ann-Maureen Ownes and Jane Yealland. Illustrated by Don Kilby. Kids Can
Kids Campfire Book, by Jane Drake and Ann Love. Illustrated by Heather Collins. Kids Can
On Board the Titanic, by Shelley Tanaka. Illustrated by Ken Marshcall. Scholastic
– 1996 –
Winner
In Flanders Fields, by Linda Granfield. Lester/Stoddart
Honour
Ladybug Garden, by Celia Godkin. Fitzhenry and Whiteside
Let’s Play, by Camilla Gryski. Illustrated by Dusan Petricic. Kids Can
Finalists
A Child’s Portrait of Shakespeare, by Lois Burdett. Black Moss
Apes, by Eric S. Grace. Key Porter
Great Moments in Canadian Baseball, by Brian. Kendall. Lester/Stoddart
Group of Seven and Tom Thomson, by Anne Newlands. Firefly
Heather’s Amazing Discovery; a True Story of Paleontology, by Deborah Griffiths. Courtenay & District Museum
HERSTORY II: Women from Canada’s Past, Sussan Merrit. Vanwell
How Monkeys Make Chocolate, by Adrian Forsyth. Owl
In Flanders Fields, by Linda Granfield. Lester/Stoddart
Ladybug Garden, by Celia Godkin. Fitzhenry
Let’s Play, by Camilla Gryski. Kids Can
Oceans, by Adrienne Mason. Kids Can
Pay Dirt: the Search for Gold in B.C., by Laura Langston. Orca
Sky Dancers: the Amazing World of Canadian Birds, by Diane Swanson. Whitecap
Solids, Liquids and Gases, by Ontario Science Centre. Kids Can
The Illustrated Father Goose, by Shelley Tanaka. Little Brown
The Kids Canadian Bird Book, by Pamela Hickman. Kids Can
The Kids Canadian Tree Book, by Pamela Hickman. Kids Can
The Moon, by Paulette Bourgeois. Kids Can Press
The Sun, by Paulette Bourgeois. Kids Can Press
The United Nations, by Desmond Morton. Kids Can
Those Aren’t Teddy Bears in Our Parks, by Kathleen Keefe. Bruin
Towers and tunnels, by Etta Kaner. Kids Can
What’s a Zoo Do? by Jonathan.Webb. Key Porter
Why is Soap So Slippery? by Catherine Ripley. Owl
Wild in the City, by Jan Thornhill Owl
– 1995 –
Winner
A Pioneer Story, by Barbara Greenwood, Illustrated by Heather Collins. Kids Can
Honour
A Kids Guide to the Brain, by Sylvia Funston and Jay Ingram. Illustrated by Gary Clement. Greey de Pencier
– 1994 –
Winner
On the Shuttle: Eight Days in Space, by Barbara Bondar. Greey de Pencier
Cowboy: a Kid’s Album, by Linda Granfield. Groundwood
Honour
A Little Tiger in the Chinese Night, by Song Nan Zhang. Tundra
– 1993 –
Winner
The Story of Canada, by Janet Lunn and Christopher Moore. Illustrated by Alan Daniel. Lester/Key Porter
Honour
Buried in Ice: the Mystery of a Lost Arctic Expedition, by Owen Beattie and John Geiger; with Shelley Tanaka. Random House
– 1992 –
Winner
A Tree in a Forest, by Jan Thornhill. Greey de Pencier, 1991
Honour
Buried in Garbage,by Bobbie Kalman and Janine Schaub. Crabtree
Discover Bones, by Lesley Grant. Illustrated by Tina Holdcroft. Kids Can
– 1991 –
Winner
Hands On, Thumbs Up, by Camilla Gryski. Ilustrated by Pat Cupples. Kids Can
Honour
Trash Attack, by Candace Savage. Illustrated by Steve Beinicke. Douglas and McIntyre
Weather Watch by Valerie Wyatt. Illustrated by Pat Cupples. Kids Can
– 1990 –
Winner
Wolf Island, by Celia Godkin. Fitzhenry and Whiteside
Honour
Amazing Paper Book, by Paulette Bourgeois. Illustrated by Linda Hendry. Kids Can
Discover Mysteries of the Past and Present, by Katherine Grier. Illustrated by Pat Cupples. Kids Can
The Fur Traders, by Robert Livesy and A.G. Smith. Stoddart
– 1989 –
Winner
Dickinson, Terence. Exploring the Sky by Day, by Terence Dickinson. Camden House
Honour
Meet Edgar Degas, by Anne Newlands. Kids Can
Playing With Plasticene, by Barbara Reid. Kids Can
– 1988 –
Winner
Let’s Celebrate: Canada’s Special Days, by Caroline Perry. Kids Can
Honour
How to Make Pop-Ups, by Joan Irvine . Illustrated by Barbara Reid. Kids Can
Exploring the Night Sky, by Terence Dickinson. Illustrated by John Bianchi. Camden House
– 1987 –
Winner
Looking at Insects, by David Suzuki and Barbara Hehner. Stoddart
Honour
Dear Doctor: Teens Ask About Anorexia, Sibling Rivalry, Hair Loss, and Pregnancy, by Dr. Saul Levine and Dr. Kathleen Wilcox. Kids Can