2025
The $5,000 City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize, now in its 18th year, is awarded to an author or
illustrator for the best book for youth.
Megan Pomper | Owl Kids
From the jury: What Makes a Bird by Megan Pomper is a delightful exploration of a child’s curiosity. It explores the titular question in a thoughtful, open-ended way, employing biology, philosophy, and wonder. Beautifully complemented by Maia Hoekstra’s illustrations, the text is sure to spark thought and conversation. Children will return to the book again and again.
Rowena Rae | Orca Book Publishers
From the jury: Why We Need Vaccines is an important, timely book that helps young readers understand a great discovery that has recently become a topic of great debate. From smallpox to the coronavirus, this engaging and accessible nonfiction narrative covers the scientific and the social side of vaccines. Rowena Rae presents the facts in a straightforward, non-judgemental manner, encouraging and empowering kids to make informed decisions about their health and the health of their communities.
Uma Krishnaswami | Groundwood Book
From the jury: Birds on the Brain reunites a delightful trio of friends as they tackle a project — the national bird count — they truly believe in. The children work hard, with ingenuity and a sense of purpose that shows young readers that kids really can make a difference in their communities. Author Uma Krishnaswami successfully captures the voices of her young characters in a story told with great sense of humour, exuberance, and accomplishment.
Raina Delisle : Breaking News: Why Media Matters – WINNER
Leslie Gentile : Shamus the Urban Rez Dog, P.I.
Polly Horvath : Pine Island Visitors
Julie Lawson: Out of the Dark
Crystal Smith: Maybe a Whale
Sara Cassidy: Union
Monique Gray Smith: I Hope / nipakosêyimon
Julie McLaughlin (illustration) for Little Pine Cone: Wild Fires and the Natural World – WINNER
Frances Backhouse: Beavers: Radical Rodents and Ecosystem Engineers
Wendy Proverbs: Aggie and Mudgy: The Journey of Two Kaska Dena Children – WINNER
Teoni Spathelfer : White Raven
Leanne Baugh for Wild Bird
Leslie Gentile for Elvis, Me and the Lemonade Stand Summer – WINNER
Melanie Siebert for Heads Up: Changing Minds on Mental Health
Sara Cassidy – Nevers
Mark Leiren-Young : Orcas Everywhere: The Mystery and History of Killer Whales – WINNER
Sylvia Olsen : Neekah’s Knitting Needles
Aidan Cassie: Sterling : Best Dog Ever – WINNER
Jenny Manzer: My Life as A diamond
Kit Pearson: The Magic Boat
Monique Gray Smith : Speaking our Truth – WINNER
Julie Lawson: A Blinding light
Jillian Roberts: On our Street
Kari Jones: At the Edge of the World
Margriet Ruurs: Stepping Stones – WINNER
Robin Stevenson: Pride Celebrationg Diversity and community
Arleen Pare: He Leaves his face in the funeral car
Dawn Green: In the Swish – WINNER
Jenny Manzer: Save Me, Kurt Cobain
Robin Stevenson: The Summer we saved the bees
Laura Langston: The are of getting started
Chris Tougas : Dojo Daycare – WINNER
Penny Chamberlain : Shack Island Summer
Daniel Loxton: Ptrarosaur Trouble – WINNER
Sara Cassidy: Skylark
Ann Walsh : Whatever
Sarah N Harvey: Three Little Words
Polly Horvath: One Year In Coal Harbour – WINNER
Kit Pearson: And nothing but the truth
Caitline Vernon: Nowehere Else on Earth – WINNER
Pamela Porter: Ill be Watching
Kit Pearson: The Whole Truth
Kristi Bridgeman (illustrator): Uirapuru – WINNER
Sarah N Harvey: Death Benefits
Arthur John Stewart: Odd Ball
Dede Crane: Poster Boy
Michelle Mudder: After Peaches
Sylvia Olsen: Counting on Hope – Winner
Penny Draper: Graveyard of the Sea – WINNER
Sarah N. Harvey: The Lit Report
Julie Lawson: Where the River Takes me
Polly Horvath: The Curse of the bare boned plane
Kit Pearson: A Perfect Gentle Knight
Chris Tougas: Mechanimals – WINNER
The Victoria Book Prize Society acknowledges that we live and work on the traditional territories of many First Nations, including but not limited to BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat), P’a:chi:da?aht (Pacheedaht), Pune’laxutth’ (Penelekut), Sc’ianew (Cheanuh), Songhees, SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout), T’Sou-ke, W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), W̱SIKEM (Tseycum), and xʷsepsəm (Esquimalt).
As an organization dedicated to celebrating story, we honour the first storytellers of these lands and commit to an ongoing process of listening and learning.
©2026 Victoria Book Prizes. All rights reserved
