The West Coast Book Prize Society announced the winners of the 42nd annual BC and Yukon Book Prizes on September 19. The prizes are awarded annually to recognize the achievements of BC and Yukon authors, illustrators, and publishers. Author Samantha Beynon and illustrator Carla Joseph were honoured with the Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize for their picture book Celebrating Potlatches (Strong Nations Publishing), and Léa Taranto was awarded the Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Award for her debut novel A Drop in the Ocean. Learn more about each title in the jury statements below.
Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize
Celebrating Potlatches, written by Samantha Beynon, illustrated by Carla Joseph (Strong Nations Publishing)
“Celebrating Potlatches is an honest look at the repression and reinstatement of a vital First Nations’ tradition. Based on the historic notebooks of Ts’msyen Chief William Beynon, the book provides a clear depiction of the potlatch tradition and its suppression in history. Carla Joseph’s fresh and painterly illustrations provide lots of graphic information about indigenous art, clothing and culture. The warm text by Samantha Beynon is straightforward and would be easily comprehended by a young reader. With its theme of family and tradition, Celebrating Potlatches would be a great addition to any classroom and reflects an important part of British Columbia’s history."
Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Award
A Drop in the Ocean, written by Léa Taranto (Arsenal Pulp Press)
"The voice in Léa Taranto’s A Drop in the Ocean grabbed us from page one and held us captivated as we hurtled through the pages. This intense, brutally honest story follows a teenage girl’s journey with mental illness during a stay in residential treatment. Mira’s story is gritty and dark, but not without hope, its authenticity bolstered by Taranto’s skillful portrayal of complex relationships. Eye-opening and empathy-building, A Drop in the Ocean is a stellar option for mature readers.”
For the complete list of winners, visit bcyukonbookprizes.com. To revisit the finalists in the youth categories, click here.