The Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction. Winners 1999 to present.

Canada’s non-fiction books for young people are internationally renowned for the superb quality of their text, illustration and design. The Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction was established by the Fleck Family Foundation and the Canadian Children's Book Centre on May 17, 1999 to recognize and raise the profile of these exceptional non-fiction books.

The $10,000 Norma Fleck Award is the largest of its kind in Canadian children’s books and is considered to be one of Canada’s most prestigious literary prizes. The Norma Fleck Award is exclusively a non-fiction prize; most other Canadian’s children’s book prizes either evaluate fiction and non-fiction together, or don’t award non-fiction.

About Norma Fleck

The Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction is named after Dr. Jim Fleck’s mother, Norma Marie Byrnes, who fostered a love of reading in her children and grandchildren. Norma worked as a nurse until she married Robert Douglas Fleck in 1930, and raised three sons during the Depression with energy, good spirits and creativity.

A lifelong avid reader herself, Norma read to her children and encouraged them to read. “Mother believed that quality reading enriches one’s life,” says Jim Fleck. “She would be greatly pleased by this award in her name.” Norma Fleck died in 1998 at the age of 92.

Hugh Brewster Wins 2008 Norma Fleck Award

Hugh Brewster has claimed the $10,000 Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction for his At Vimy Ridge: Canada's Greatest World War I Victory (Scholastic Canada).

At Vimy Ridge: Canada's Greatest World War I Victory
Written by Hugh Brewster
Scholastic Canada

“Through its superb text, At Vimy Ridge effectively conveys not only the bravery of the soldiers, the difficulty of the task, and the triumph of the victory, but also the controversy and questions that this war—and all wars—create… With a combination of maps, photographs, quotes and letters from soldiers, the battle of Vimy Ridge is brought to life for young readers.”

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2008 Other Shortlisted NORMA FLECK AWARD FOR CANADIAN CHILDREN’S NON-FICTION ($10,000)- 25th September- Winners Nov 6th
Sponsored by the Fleck Family Foundation

Birds of Prey: An Introduction
Written by Robert Bateman with Nancy Kovacs
Illustrated by Robert Bateman
Scholastic Canada/Madison Press

“Artist and naturalist Robert Bateman’s stunning full-colour paintings of majestic birds of prey compliment a combination of facts and personal anecdotes… The clear layout and straight-to-the point writing create an accessible and inviting book for readers of any age.”

The Eco-Diary of Kiran Singer
Written by Sue Ann Alderson
Illustrated by Millie Ballance
Tradewind Book

“This book’s unique and gentle style will captivate readers with its beautifully composed art, its poetic words and its personal approach… The fact-filled poems which describe a child's awakening to environmental consciousness will appeal to poetry and nature lovers alike… Provides young readers with an outstanding new way to approach the important topic of preserving our natural resources.”

This Is My Planet: The Kids' Guide to Global Warming
Written by Jan Thornhill
Maple Tree Press

“Straightforward, easy-to-understand language combined with stunning photographs and artwork will fascinate readers as they learn more about our planet and the perils we all face... The graphic design and easy flow of this book blow away all conventions of ‘boxed’ non-fiction snippets… Despite the sometimes depressing nature of the subject, the book leaves the reader with practical solutions and a sense of hope.”

Weird Weather: Everything You Didn't Want to Know About Climate Change but Probably Should Find Out
Written and illustrated by Kate Evans
Groundwood Books

“A hard-hitting, highly personal journey through one woman's environmental epiphany, this engaging graphic novel pulls no punches as it chronicles the peril facing mankind and the deep despair it engenders, before coming up for air in a message of hard-won hope… Hits all the right buttons, offering a perfect mix of sarcasm, humour and utter seriousness to keep readers engaged.”

JURY MEMBERS: Mala Dayal, teacher-librarian, Peel District School Board; Polly Fleck, Governor General’s Award-nominated poet and member of the Fleck family; Todd Kyle, branch manager, Churchill Meadows Library, Mississauga Library System; Rachel Steen, selection manager at S&B Books; and Frieda Wishinsky, author.

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2007		Jan Thornhill I Found a Dead Bird: The Kids’ Guide to the Cycle of Life & Death. Toronto: Maple Tree Press, 2006.
2006		Jim Slavin with Jim Slavin Transformed: How Everyday Things Are Made. Illustrated by Bill Slavin. Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2005.
2005		Shari Graydon In Your Face: The Culture of Beauty and You. Toronto: Annick Press, 2004.
2004		Val Ross The Road to There: Mapmakers and their Stories. Toronto: Tundra Books, 2003.
2003		Larry Loyie with Constance Brissenden As Long as the Rivers Flow. Illustrated by Heather D. Holmlund. Toronto: Groundwood Books, 2002
2002		Jack Batten The Man Who Ran Faster Than Everyone: The Story of Tom Longboat. Toronto: Tundra Books, 2002.
2001		Gena K. Gorrell Heart and Soul: The Story of Florence Nightingale. Toronto: Tundra Books, 2000.
2000		Simon Tookoome with Sheldon Oberman The Shaman’s Nephew: A Life Far North. Toronto: Stoddart Kids, 1999.
1999		Andy Turnbull and Debora Pearson By Truck to the North: My Arctic Adventure. Toronto: Annick Press, 1998.