Information Book Award Archives

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-

Winner
Loon Written by Susan Vande Griek,Illustrated by Karen Reczuch. Published by Groundwood Books.
Honour Book
Beyond Bullets: A Photo Journal of Afghanistan Written by Rafal Gerszak with Dawn Hunger. Published by Annick Press.
Biomimicry: Inventions Inspired by Nature Written by Dora Lee,Illustrations by Margot Thompson. Published by Kids Can Press.

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