The 2025 shortlists for the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Awards have been announced by the Ontario Arts Council and Ontario Arts Foundation. These annual awards are given to English-Language Canadian books in two categories: picture books and middle grade/YA literature. Here are the shortlisted titles:

PICTURE BOOKS

Fighting Words by Leonarda Carranza, illustrated by Erika Medina

I Want to Read All the Books by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

The Little Regent by Yewande Daniel-Ayoade, illustrated by Ken Daley

Métis Like Me by Tasha Hilderman, illustrated by Risa Hugo

One Giant Leap by Thao Lam

MIDDLE GRADE/YOUNG ADULT

Fledgling by S. K. Ali

Is There a Boy Like Me? by Kern Carter

The New Girl by Cassandra Calin

The Shape of Lost Things by Sarah Everett

Today I Am: 10 Stories of Belonging edited by Jael Richardson