The Vancouver Children’s Literature Roundtable has chosen nine nonfiction children’s title for it’s 2020 Information Book Award Shortlist, including Beastly Puzzles by Rachel Poliquin (Kids Can Press), I Am a Feminist by Monique Polak (Orca Book Publishers) and Moon Mission by Sigmund Brouwer (Kids Can Press)!

The Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada’s Information Book Award is given annually to a book that arouses interest, stimulates curiosity, captures the imagination, and fosters concern for the world around us. The award’s aim is to recognize excellence in Canadian publishing of children’s nonfiction. The criteria include accuracy, clarity, imaginative approach, appropriateness of organization and format, and sensitivity to ethnocentric and gender biases. The winning title will be announced in late fall.

Beastly Puzzles by Rachel Poliquin and illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler asks children: If you’re given a list of features and characteristics, can you guess which animal they make? This might seem easy enough, but solving the puzzles in this book is deviously, outrageously, almost impossibly tricky! Once readers make a guess (or if they get stumped!), they can open the gatefold to reveal the animal, with each clue explained and lots of additional fascinating facts.

Rachel Poliquin is a writer and curator with a background in visual arts, cultural history and natural history. Rachel has also written for the Believer Magazine and the New York Times. Rachel lives in Vancouver, British Columbia. Rachel is represented by Amy Tompkins.

I Am A Feminist by Monique Polak examines the history of feminism and then addresses the issues girls and women continue to face today. The book also looks at the ways in which people, especially young people, are working together to create a world where gender equality is a reality, not a dream. The author shares stories about the courageous individuals who have made a difference in the lives of women and girls worldwide. From suffragists to the #MeToo movement, I Am a Feminist encourages readers to stand up and speak out for equality and justice.

Monique Polak is the author of over twenty novels for kids and young adults. She has also written two non-fiction books for kids as well as a board book for toddlers. Monique teaches English literature, creative writing and humanities in Montreal, Quebec. She won a QWF Literary Awards prize in 2009 for her novel What World is Left Monique is represented by agent Amy Tompkins.

Moon Mission by Sigmund Brewer tells this riveting narrative from the astronauts’ points of view, offering a unique approach to the story behind Apollo 11’s successful — though nearly disastrous — 1969 moon landing. Readers are brought along on the ride of a lifetime, as they relive every step of the mission, including the nail-biting (and relatively unknown) crucial moments when it came close to failure. From ignition to moon walk to splashdown, the story is structured in eleven exciting episodes. And, setting this book apart, each episode is linked to the innovations and discoveries from the past four centuries that made it possible — from Copernicus to Einstein, the sextant to Velcro.

Sigmund Brouwer is the bestselling author of scores of books across many genres, from early chapter books to historical fiction. He lives in Red Deer, Alberta. Sigmund is represented by Amy Tompkins.

To see the full list of nominees, please visit: https://vclr.ca/information-book-award/

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