Governor General's Award for English-language children's literature

がゔぁなー・じぇねらるしょう（えいごじどうぶんがくぶもん）

Annual literary award given to children's works (writers) written in English in Canada.

Children's literatureEnglish-languageCanadian literary awardWriting

Established: 1975
Organizer: Canada Council for the Arts
Category: Children's Literature, Fairy Tales, and Picture Books
Selection Method: Selection
Target: Professional
Frequency: 1 per year
Announcement Period: around November
Status: Active

Description

One of Canada's major literary awards for children's books (English). From 1949 to 1958, a standalone award called "Juvenile (Children's)" existed. In 1975, the Canada Council established the current four categories (English/French writers and illustrators), and from 1987, it has been operated as part of the "Governor General's Awards." Awards are given annually, and the program is managed by the Canada Council.

Prize

Main Prize: Winners receive prize money and prestige. At the establishment in 1975, it was set at 5,000 Canadian dollars per category.
Cash Prize: 5,000 CAD

Prize money at the time of establishment in 1975 was 5,000 CAD (may have been revised since then)
Winning brings increased publishing attention and expected boost in sales
Winning works may also receive other children's book awards such as the Canadian Library Association (CLA) award

Selection

Selection Process

Stage	Judges	Pass Rate	Announcement
Application and Submission	Applications are accepted through publishers etc., and managed by Canada Council (or the program's secretariat)	—	Official application guidelines and deadlines are set by Canada Council
Nominee (Finalist) Selection	Selection committee (judges) appointed each year	—	Shortlisted works may be announced via press releases or official announcements
Winner Selection and Announcement	The selection committee makes the final decision	—	Winners are announced by Canada Council/Governor General's Awards (usually end of year/November)

Application and Submission

Judges Applications are accepted through publishers etc., and managed by Canada Council (or the program's secretariat)

Announcement Official application guidelines and deadlines are set by Canada Council

Nominee (Finalist) Selection

Judges Selection committee (judges) appointed each year

Announcement Shortlisted works may be announced via press releases or official announcements

Winner Selection and Announcement

Judges The selection committee makes the final decision

Announcement Winners are announced by Canada Council/Governor General's Awards (usually end of year/November)

Criteria

Literary excellence (style, structure, expression)
Narrative style and content suitable for the target age group
Originality and novelty of themes
Appeal to child readers and cultural/educational value

Application Tips

Dos

Check official guidelines (Canada Council) and strictly follow format and deadlines
Submit manuscripts with expressions suitable for the target age and thorough editing
Clearly demonstrate the work's originality and literary value (prepare synopsis, author profile, and other supporting materials)
Collaborate with publishers, as formal applications are often required through them

Don''ts

Do not ignore deadlines or application formats
Do not submit with expressions unsuitable for target readers (children) or in improper format
Do not submit self-published works without checking requirements (always confirm requirements)