PRESS RELEASE

Canadian Library Association Announces 2009 Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Award Shortlist

(Ottawa, March 3, 2009) The Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Award Committee of the Canadian Library Association / Association canadienne des bibliothèques is pleased to announce the shortlist for the 2009 Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Award.

This award recognizes an illustrator of a noteworthy Canadian picture book, published in 2008, that appeals to children up to the age of 12 years.

The winners of the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Award and Honour Books will be announced prior to the National Canadian Library Association Conference. The award will be presented at the CLA conference at the Palais des Congres de Montréal on May 30, 2009.

The finalists for the 2009 Amelia Frances Howard Gibbon Award, in alphabetical order by title, are:

A Bear in War/Illustrated by Brian Deines (Key Porter)
A Pocket Can Have a Treasure in It/Illustrated by Deirdre Betteridge (Annick)
Chester’s Back!/Illustrated by Melanie Watt (Kids Can Press)
Jenneli’s Dance/Illustrated by Chris Auchter (Theytus)
Mattland/Illustrated by Dusan Petricic (Annick)
Naomi’s Tree/Illustrated by Ruth Ohi (Fitzhenry and Whiteside)
Out of the Deeps/Illustrated by Nicolas Debon (Orca)
Shin Chi’s Canoe/Illustrated by Kim LaFave (Groundwood)
Sir Reginald’s Logbook/Illustrated by Matt Hammill (Kids Can Press)
Thing Thing/Illustrated by Nicolas Debon (Tundra)

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the 2008-2009 CLA Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Award Committee:

Evette Berry, Calgary Public Library, Chair
Elizabeth Thornley, Youth Collection Development, Ottawa Public Library
Delilah Deane Cummings, Coordinator, Community Outreach & Program Services, London Public Library
Linda Mireau, Librarian, Kelowna Public Library
Joy Huebert, Librarian, Greater Victoria Public Library
Lisa Weaver, Unit Coordinator, Technical Services, Toronto District School Board

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For immediate release

For more information contact: Evette Berry, 403-260-2717