11/17/2009
A FIRST IN CHILDREN’S PUBLISHING — A GOVERNOR GENERAL’S AWARD FOR TRANSLATION
(Toronto, Canada) Susan Ouriou’s translation of the children’s book Pieces of Me, from Corus Entertainment’s Kids Can Press, has won the 2009 Governor General’s Literary Award for Translation (French to English). This represents the first time a children’s book has been awarded this honour in the Translation category.
Susan Ouriou will receive the award from Governor General Michaëlle Jean on Thursday, November 26 at a presentation ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. This is Susan’s third nomination in the Translation category. She was previously nominated in 1995 for The Road to Chlifa and in 2003 for Necessary Betrayals.
Originally published in French as La liberté? Connais pas… by Charlotte Gingras, the original publication won the Governor General’s Award for Children’s Literature — Text in 1999.
“We are thrilled that Susan’s wonderful translation of Charlotte Gingras’ moving novel has been honoured in this way and to have been a part of bringing this remarkable piece of Canadian writing to a new audience,” said Karen Boersma, Kids Can Press’s Vice President and Publisher.
Lisa Lyons, Kids Can Press’s President, stated, “We are not only delighted that Pieces of Me has won this prestigious award but also exceptionally proud, knowing that this honour has never been achieved in the children’s genre before. This accomplishment is a great reflection of the calibre of the creative talent that KCP collaborates with, as well as the quality of the Canadian books being published for children today.”
Pieces of Me follows Mira, a gifted artist, who is stifled by her domineering mother. When a new friendship develops between Mira and the free-spirited Catherine, her confidence grows, until a betrayal and tragedy shatter her life again. This thought-provoking story tackles the emotional struggles of adolescence and the confusing and sometimes isolating world of high school.
In addition to garnering this award, Kids Can Press illustrator Irene Luxbacher was shortlisted for a Governor General’s Award in the Children’s Literature — Illustration category for the book The Imaginary Garden.
The Governor General’s Literary Awards are administered by the Canada Council for the Arts. The finalists include authors, illustrators and translators covering the categories of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, drama, children’s literature and translation. A shortlist of 70 titles were drawn from a total of 1,541 books submitted for this year’s awards. For more information visit, www.canadacouncil.ca.
Kids Can Press is the largest Canadian-owned children’s publisher, with an award-winning list of over 500 picture books, non-fiction and fiction titles for toddlers to young adults. Kids Can Press is the home of Franklin the Turtle, the most successful publishing franchise in the history of Canadian publishing, which has sold over 60 million books in over 30 languages around the world. Kids Can Press is owned by Corus Entertainment Inc., a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. For further information, please contact: Erin Winzer Publicist, Kids Can Press 416-925-5437 ext. 140
|