TIFA Presents: GGBooks Young People’s Literature Finalists

May 28

Celebrate the Governor General’s Literary Awards (GGBooks) with six free, virtual events featuring the finalists of the 2020 Young People’s Literature Award categories. Check out the readings and panels below!

All the events will be available for everyone to watch for three days, and ten days for TIFA Friend donors, after their scheduled broadcast.

Thursday, May 27, 2021

TIFA Kids! Reading: The King of Jam Sandwiches with Eric Walters (Text Category) – 3pm ET

Celebrate and explore some of today’s best Canadian authors and illustrators in children’s literature! Join us for a family-friendly reading from The King of Jam Sandwiches by author Eric Walters, as part of TIFA’s exclusive event series spotlighting the finalists for the 2020 GGBooks Young People’s Literature categories. The GGBooks Literary Awards winners will be announced on June 1. Recommended for ages 9–12.

Register Here

TIFA Kids! Reading: Weekend Dad with Naseem Hrab (Illustrated Category) – 4pm ET

Celebrate and explore some of today’s best Canadian authors and illustrators in children’s literature! Tune in for a family-friendly reading from Weekend Dad by Naseem Hrab, as part of TIFA’s exclusive event series spotlighting the finalists for the 2020 GGBooks Young People’s Literature categories. The GGBooks Literary Awards winners will be announced on June 1. Recommended for ages 4–7.

Register Here

What Makes a Family?: Building Community in Books for Young People – 5pm ET

Join us to hear from a selection of the finalists for the 2020 GGBooks Young People’s Literature Awards, as they come together for a conversation in anticipation of the winners announcement on June 1. Polly Horvath (Pine Island Home), Sara Cassidy (Nevers) and Naseem Hrab (Weekend Dad) will join CBC Books’ Ryan B. Patrick for a live discussion on how their nominated books help young people explore new definitions of family and community.

Register Here

Friday, May 28, 2021

TIFA Kids! Reading: The Barren Grounds with David A Robertson (Text Category) – 3pm ET

Celebrate and explore some of today’s best Canadian authors and illustrators in children’s literature! Tune in for a glimpse into this epic fantasy adventure! Award-winning author David A. Robertson will give a family-friendly reading from The Barren Grounds as part of TIFA’s exclusive series spotlighting the finalists for the GGBooks Young People’s Literature categories. The 2020 GGBooks Literary Awards winners will be announced on June 1. Recommended for ages 10 and up.

Register Here

TIFA Kids! Reading: The Barnabus Project with The Fan Brothers (Illustrated Category) – 4pm ET

International bestsellers The Fan Brothers will give a family-friendly reading from The Barnabus Project as part of TIFA’s exclusive event series spotlighting the finalists for the 2020 GGBooks Young People’s Literature categories. The GGBooks Literary Awards winners will be announced on June 1. Recommended for ages 5–9.

Register Here

Finding Their Way: Courage, Perseverance and the Search for Identity in Books for Young People – 5pm ET

Join us to hear from a selection of the finalists for the 2020 GGBooks Young People’s Literature Awards, as they come together for a conversation in anticipation of the winners announcement on June 1. Colleen Nelson (Harvey Holds His Own), Jordan Scott (I Talk Like a River) and Rebecca Thomas (Swift Fox All Along) will join CBC Books’ Ryan B. Patrick for a live discussion on how their protagonists demonstrate courage, perseverance and openness to new experiences as they discover who they are and how they belong. 

Register Here

These events are organized in collaboration with the Canada Council for the Arts to celebrate the Governor General’s Literary Awards.