Canadian Library Association Announces 2011 Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator’s Award Winner and Honour Books

(Ottawa, April 15) The Canadian Library Association / Association canadienne des bibliothèques is pleased to announce the 2011 winner and honour books for the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator’s Award.  The award is generously sponsored by Library Services Centre.

The winner is Roslyn Rutabaga and the Biggest Hole on Earth! (Groundwood Press), written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Honour books are Book of Big Brothers (Groundwood Press), illustrated by Luc Melanson and written by Cary Fagan, and Owls See Clearly at Night: a Michif alphabet (Simply Read Books), written and illustrated by Julie Flett.

Roslyn's exuberant and adventurous spirit comes in handy when she decides to dig her way to the South Pole. In Roslyn Rutabaga and the Biggest Hole on Earth! Marie-Louise Gay uses expressive mixed-media illustrations that offer intriguing details, textures and perspectives. The reader is invited to share Roslyn excited determination and to spend time exploring each page. This is the third time that Gay has won the Amelia Award.

Honourable mention goes to Luc Melanson for Book of Big Brothers, a fun and affectionate story told from the point-of-view of the youngest of three brothers. With a touch of humour, nostalgia and joy, Melanson's retro-style illustrations complement Fagan's narrative perfectly and bring a fresh approach to the timeless story of growing up with siblings.

Honourable mention also goes to Julie Flett for Owls See Clearly at Night: a Michif alphabet  This is a unique linguistic and visual treat. Flett's striking illustrations are deceptively simple. The use of silhouettes with bright spots of colour, create compositions that are striking in their beauty and elegance. They convey a connection with the natural world and also a sense of loss and isolation. This book has a subtle, gripping power.

A complete list of the shortlisted titles is available on the CLA web site at www.cla.ca. The Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator's Award is presented by the Canadian Association of Children's Librarians, a section of the Canadian Association of Public Libraries (CAPL). This award was established in 1971 and is presented annually to the illustrator of an outstanding children's book published during the previous calendar year. The award will be presented at the CLA Book Awards reception on May 26, 2011 during the CLA National Conference and Trade Show in Halifax. The CLA Book Awards reception is generously sponsored by TD Bank Group.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the 2011 CLA Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator's Award Committee:

Delilah Deane Cummings, London Public Library, Chair
Joy Huebert, Greater Victoria Public Library
Lynn Thorimbert, Librarian/Consultant Services, Marigold Library System
Stirling Prentice, Librarian, Kanata Ontario
Diana Gauthier, Secretary-treasurer of the Canadian Association for School Libraries

The Canadian Library Association / Association canadienne des bibliothèques is Canada's largest national and broad-based association, representing the interests of public, academic, school and special libraries, professional librarians and library workers, and all those concerned about enhancing the quality of life of Canadians through information and literacy.

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Media Contact:  Delilah Deane Cummings 519 661 5100 x 7422