More Canadian Book Awards?

The past six weeks it seems that I've had post after post listing nominated titles for book awards.  It's all in prep for the April and May award announcements.  A quick glance reveals that, from the end of February to the end of April, young readers will be voting for their favourite books in the following programs:

• Blue Spruce, Silver Birch, Red Maple, White Pine and Le Prix Tamarac Awards;
• Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Awards;
• Shining Willow, Snow Willow and Diamond Willow Awards;
• Red Cedar Awards; and
• Hackmatack Awards.

 Many of these awards will have their winners announced in the spring, along with announcements of many juried book awards, including:

• Canadian Library Association Book Awards;
• Arthur Ellis Awards for Excellence in Canadian Crime Writing;
• B.C. Book Awards;
• Saskatchewan Book Awards;
• Manitoba Book Awards; and
• Atlantic Book Awards.

 So, in answer to your inevitable questions:

1. Yes, there are a lot of Canadian book awards.  We're a big country.
2. Yes, it is important to know about all these book awards.  If we don't applaud the efforts of our authors, illustrators and publishers, no one will know how great they are and how lucky our young readers are.  And this will influence sales which will hopefully keep these books being published.
3. No, they don't all have to be announced at the same time, but that's just the way it is.  Not up to me.
4. Yes, I think we should publicize all the short-lists (see all my awards postings for evidence of this view).  Short-lists provide valuable bibliographies for selecting new reading material and promote even more great Canadian authors, illustrators and publishers (see #2).
5. Yes, it is sometimes hard to keep all the book awards straight. For that reason, I will be posting the ultimate guide to all Canadian book awards relevant to children's and young adult literature.  Soon.  I've started.  It's just hard to keep all the book awards straight.

Any other questions?  Let me know.

In the meantime, look forward to a few more postings about awards.  Yes!