Yesterday, the Ontario Arts Council and the Ontario Arts Foundation announced the shortlists for the 2026 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Awards. Two prizes of $6,000 each—one for picture books and one for YA/middle grade—are presented annually to recognize artistic excellence in writing and illustration in English-language Canadian children's literature. The winners are selected by two juries of young readers. This year, students from Brock Public School in Toronto will select the winning titles.
The nomination committee who selected this year's shortlists included Andrei Iorga , teacher-librarian, Birch Cliff Heights Public School (Toronto); Stephen Davidson, co-owner, The Spaniel's Tale Bookstore (Ottawa); and Danielle Big Canoe Snake, Children's Library Programmer, Chippewas of Rama First Nation Public Library (Rama, Ontario). The shortlisted titles are below. The winners will be announced in June.
Children's Picture Book Award
Chidori: A Story of One Thousand Birds, written by Jennifer Maruno, illustrated by Miki Sato (Pajama Press)
Dreaming Alongside, written by Monique Gray Smith, illustrated by Nicole Neidhardt (Orca Book Publishers)
Grandma Can Make Anything, written by Susan Avingaq and Maren Vsetula, illustrated by Amiel Sandland (Inhabit Media)
Ra! Ta! Ma! Cue!, written by Howie Shia (Annick Press)
The Warmest Blanket in the World, written by Tamara Levine, illustrated by Ellie Arscott (Second Story Press)
Young Adult/Middle Grade Award
Best of All Worlds, written by Kenneth Oppel (Penguin Teen Canada)
I Won't Feel This Way Forever, written by Kim Spencer (Orca Book Publishers)
Robot Island, written Cary Fagan (Tundra Books)
The Haunted Blizzard, written by Aviaq Johnston, illustrated by Athena Gubbe (Inhabit Media)
We Bury Nothing, written by Kate Blair (DCB Young Readers)
The Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Awards were established in 1976 by Sylvia Schwartz to honour her sister, Ruth, a respected Toronto bookseller. In 2004, the family renamed the award to include both sisters. The prize is administered by the Ontario Arts Foundation with support from the Ontario Arts Council, which manages the nomination and jury process. For a complete list of past winners, click here.