The Vancouver Children's Literature Roundtable (VCLR) recently announced the shortlist for the 2026 Sheila Barry Best Canadian Picturebook of the Year Award. The prize, which honours the late Sheila Barry was established in 2021, celebrates the picture book art form that highlights the interdependence of pictures and words. The finalists are listed below.
Head Full of Clouds, written by Joanne Schwartz, illustrated by Afsaneh Sanei (Tundra Books)
Little Shoes, written by David A. Robertson, illustrated by Maya McKibbin (Tundra Books)
The One About the Blackbird, written by Melanie Florence, illustrated by Matt James (Tundra Books)
A Pond, a Poet, and Three Pests, written by Caroline Adderson, illustrated by Lauren Tamaki (Groundwood Books)
The winner and honour books will be announced in late August, and the authors and illustrators will be celebrated at VCLR's annual fall tea later this year.
Learn more at vclr.ca.