The shortlists for the 2026 Saskatchewan Book Awards were announced earlier this month. Forty-five books have been shortlisted across 13 award categories, including the Children's Literature Award, sponsored by G. Murray & Edna Forbes Foundation.
Children's Literature Award
Butterfly on the Wind, written by Adam Pottle, illustrated by Ziyue Chen (Roaring Brook Press)
How to Know a Crow: The Biography of a Brainy Bird, written by Candace Savage, illustrated by Rachel Hudson (Greystone Kids)
Mortified, written by Kristy Jackson, illustrated by Rhael McGregor (HarperCollins Publishers)
Rez Kid, written by by Andrea Landry, illustrated by Isabella Fassler (Kids Can Press)
Touching Grass, written by Kristy Jackson, illustrated by Rhael McGregor (HarperCollins Publishers)
Whitey’s Journey, written by Kelsey Lonie, illustrated by Renee Hansen (Heritage House Publishing)
Kristy Jackson's Touching Grass has also been named a finalist in two other categories—the Book of the Year Award and the Indigenous Peoples Writing Award. Four additional titles published for young readers were nominated in other categories. The Discovery of Finnegan Wilde by Caroline Pignat and published by Saskatoon-based publisher Thistledown Press is a finalist for the Publishing Award. Métis author Wilfred Burton has two titles shortlisted—Road Allowance Kitten: Full Circle, illustrated by Christina Johns (Gabriel Dumont Institute Press), is a finalist for the Indigenous Peoples Publishing Award, and Kohkum’s Royal Bannock, illustrated by Hawlii Pichette (Thistledown Press), is a finalists for the Publishing In Education Award. And finally, Maddy's Sash, by Métis author Marion Gonneville and Métis illustrator Kate Boyer (Gabriel Dumont Institute Press) is shortlisted for the Indigenous Peoples Publishing Award.
The winners will be announced at the 33rd Saskatchewan Book Awards Gala & Award Ceremony at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Conference Centre in Regina (1975 Broad Street) on May 1, 2026 from 7:30-10:30 pm. To purchase tickets to the event, click here.
For the complete list of finalists, visit bookawards.sk.ca.