1996 Governor General's Award Nominees Announced

The winner's in each category will be announced Tuesday, November 12, 1996, at 2 pm., at a ceremony at the Monument-National in Montreal. His Excellency the Right Honourable Romeo LeBlanc, Governor General of Canada, will present the laureates with their prizes.

The nominees in Children's Literature are:

Children's Literature - Text

• Jan Andrews, McDonald's Corners, Ontario, for Keri (Groundwood Books; distributed by Douglas & McIntyre-west; University of Toronto Press-rest of Canada; ISBN 0-88899-240-8.)
  Against the backdrop of a declining fishery and disintegrating family life, a 13-year-old girl wages a life-and-death struggle to save a beached whale. Jan Andrews' novel is richly economical, powerful, deep and eloquent, as much for what it says as for what it leaves to the reader's perception.

• David Boyd, Oakville, Ontario, for Bottom Drawer (Rubicon Publishing; distributed by the publisher; ISBN 0-921156-58-8.)
  Through taped interviews, telephone conversations, faxes and cyberchats, the reader is able slowly to piece together the life of 15-year-old MacKenzie Kuper as he undergoes therapy after an apparent suicide attempt. Bottom Drawer is an innovative and intensely moving portrayal of a troubled young man's personal odyssey toward a startling discovery.

• Gillian Chan, Dundas, Ontario, for Glory Days and Other Stories (Kids Can Press; distributed by the University of Toronto Press; ISBN 1-55074-319-8.) The five delightful and thought-provoking stories that comprise Glory Days invite us into the lives of a number of young people who attend Elmwood High School. Gillian Chan's characters are drawn with courage, compassion and consummate skill.

• Don Gillmor, Toronto, for The Fabulous Song (Stoddart Kids; distributed by General Distribution Services; ISBN 0-7737-286-0.)
  A joyous, happy, whimsical romp of a story about a child whose musical talent lies in his ability to conduct rather than to play an instrument. Gillmor uses delightful language to tickle the funny bone of young and old alike.

• Paul Yee, Toronto, for Ghost Train (Groundwood Books; distributed by Douglas & Mclntyre - west; University of Toronto - rest of Canada; ISBN 0-88899-257-2.)
  Ghost Train by Paul Yee presents a mystical portrayal of Choon-yi, the artistic daughter of a Chinese immigrant who dies in North America building a railway. The clear, precise language engagingly blends myth, history and a reverence for one's spiritual roots.

• Eric Beddows, Stratford, Ontario, for The Rooster's Gift, text by Pam Conrad (Groundwood Books; distributed by Douglas & McIntyre - west; University of Toronto Press - rest of Canada; ISBN 0-88899-273-4.)
  A wonderful story introducing a concept of understanding our different views to abstract meanings such as being gifted, talented or achievements, failures. Eric Beddows captures all difficult moments in colourful playfulness and in a style many readers find irresistible.

• Alan and Lea Daniel, Kitchener, Ontario, for Sody Salleratus, text by Aubrey Davis (Kids Can Press; distributed by University of Toronto Press; ISBN 1-55074-281-7.)
  The illustrations by Alan and Lea Daniel are hilarious. Both illustrations and text have a wonderful rhythm which will hold the reader's attention through both sight and sound.

• Wang Kui, Calgary, Alberta, for The Wise Washerman -A Folktale from Burma, text by Deborah Froese (Hyperion Press; distributed by the publisher; ISBN 1-895340-10-1.)
  The decorative qualities of Wang Kui's gouache and watercolour paintings provide an abundance of rich colourful detail. This is not fast food, but a feast for the eyes.

• Johnny Wales, Tokyo, Japan, for Gruntle Piggle Takes Off, text by Jean Little (Penguin Books Canada; distributed by the publisher; ISBN 0-670-86340-8.)
  Illustrations capture the story in the most imaginative way. The characters are fanciful yet believable. It is a fun book with an important message.

• Werner Zimmermann, Guelph, Ontario, for Whatever You Do, Don't Go Near That Canoe!, text by Julie Lawson (North Winds Press/Scholastic Canada; distributed by the publisher; ISBN 0-590-24429-9.)
  Werner Zimmermann's dynamic compositions of vibrant colours in bold watercolour washes take us on a wild canoe trip to visit a delightful group of pirates.

Copyright © 1996 the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364