Kids’ books shortlisted

May 5, 2014

first nation readsTORONTO–Five children’s books are in contention to become the First Nation Communities Read community reading selection for 2014-2015. Six jury members from First Nation public libraries in Ontario made the shortlist selections. The title selection announcement for 2014-2015 will take place the week of May 19 as a lead in to National Aboriginal History Month and National Aboriginal Day celebrations in June. The selected title’s creators will be the inaugural recipients of the $5,000 Periodical Marketers of Canada Aboriginal Literature Award.

Shortlist Titles

  • The Diamond Willow Walking Stick: A Traditional Métis Story about Generosity written and illustrated by Leah Marie Dorion. Michif translation by Norman Fleury. Gabriel Dumont Institute.

 

  • Little Chief and the Gifts of Morning Star written by Victor Lethbridge and illustrated by Ben Crane. Tatanka Productions.

 

  •  Moccasin Creek written and illustrated by Rene Andre Meshake. Self published.

 

  • Raven Brings the Light written by Roy Henry Vickers and Robert Budd, and illustrated by Roy Henry Vickers. Harbour Publishing.
  •  Wild Berries and Pakwa Che Menisu (Wild Berries) written and illustrated by Julie Flett. Cree dialect translations by Earl N. Cook. Simply Read Books.

First Nation Communities Read initially considered more than 40 submissions before settling on a long list of 31 titles from 17 publishers.

The Periodical Marketers of Canada’s Aboriginal Literature Award is a new award inspired by the goals of the First Nation Communities Read program. It will provide the creators of the First Nation Communities Read 2014-2015 title selection with a $5,000 prize. This is the first time the Periodical Marketers of Canada will present the Aboriginal Literature Award.

First Nation Communities Read is the Ontario First Nation public library community’s contribution to the popular reading movement. Launched in 2003 by the First Nations public library community in Ontario