Montreal,November 17, 2009–The names of winners of the 2009 Governor General’s Literary Awards were announced today by the Canada Council for the Arts. The seven English and seven French awards are given to authors, illustrators and translators and in the categories of fiction, poetry, drama, non‑fiction, children’s literature (text and illustration) and translation.
For the first time in the history of the Awards one book wins in both categories of children’s literature (text and illustration): Harvey by author Hervé Bouchard and illustrator Janice Nadeau, a three-time Award-winner.
Janice Nadeau – Harvey: Children’s Literature – Illustration French-Language / Littérature jeunesse — illustrations (livres de langue française)
Biography
Trained in graphic design at the Université du Québec à Montréal and in illustration at the École supérieure des arts décoratifs in Strasbourg, France, Janice Nadeau has worked as an art director for various organizations. She won her first GG in 2004 for her illustrations in Nul poisson où aller, which garnered several other prizes, including the Mr. Christie’s Book Awards’ Silver Seal, the Salon du livre de Trois-Rivières’ Prix de la relève and the LUX Competition’s Grand Prize for Illustration in the book category. Last year she won her second GG for her illustrations in Ma meilleure amie, giving this talented young illustrator a total of three GGs. Originally from Gatineau (Hull), Quebec, Janice Nadeau currently lives in Montreal.
Jury’s comment
In illustrating a book that stands out for the originality of its language, Janice Nadeau has come up with wonderful ways of depicting the sadness of spring and the melancholy of loss. The subtle drawings dance with the text and give rhythm to the reading. Hervé Bouchard’s Quebec comes alive under the brush strokes of the illustrator.
Hervé Bouchard – Harvey: Children’s Literature – Illustration French-Language / Littérature jeunesse — texte (livres de langue française)
Biography / Note biographique
A professor of literature at the Cégep de Chicoutimi, Hervé Bouchard’s early literary work did not go unnoticed. In 2006, Le Quartanier published his second novel, Parents et amis sont invités à y assister (winner of the 2006 Grand Prix du livre de Montréal), and reissued his first, Mailloux, histoires de novembre et de juin, initially published by L’Effet pourpre in 2002. Both novels were awarded the Salon du livre du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean’s Prix Abitibi-Consolidated. With his first children’s book (also winner of the Salon du livre du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean’s 2009 Prix littéraire Récit), he takes home his first GG. (His book also wins in the category of children’s literature – illustration). Hervé Bouchard was born, and still lives, in Jonquière, Quebec, now known as Saguenay.
Jury’s comment
Hervé Bouchard makes us feel the confusion and helplessness of a little boy faced with the death of his father. His surprising and extremely sensitive writing is deeply moving. Through a series of poetically powerful metaphors, he allows us the freedom to explore the multiple layers of his story.
Jury
Charlotte Gingras (Morin-Heights, QC) / Daniel Marchildon (Penetanguishene, ON) / Jean-Michel Schembré (Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval, QC)
Hervé Bouchard
About the GGs
The Governor General’s Literary Awards (GGs) are given annually to the best English-language and the best French-language books in each of the seven categories of Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Drama, Children’s Literature (text), Children’s Literature (illustration) and Translation (from French to English and English to French).
The Canada Council funds, administers and promotes the GGs. The value of each award is $25,000 and each winner also receives a specially-bound copy of the winning book. The publisher of each winning book receives $3,000 to support promotional activities. Non-winning finalists each receives $1,000 in recognition of their selection as finalists, bringing the total value of the Awards close to $450,000.
Committees of “peers” (writers, critics, and/or independent book professionals) review all eligible titles in each of the seven categories according to literary and artistic merit.
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