The Vancouver Children’s Literature Roundtable is pleased to announce the shortlist for the 2026 Sheila Barry Best Canadian Picturebook of the Year Award.
Congratulations to the following authors and illustrators for your outstanding storytelling in the picture book format:
- Head Full of Clouds, by Joanne Schwartz and illustrated by Afsaneh Sanei, Published by Tundra Books.
- A Pond, A Poet, and Three Pests, by Caroline Adderson and illustrated by Lauren Tamaki, Published by Groundwood Books.
- Little Shoes, by David A. Robertson and illustrated by Maya McKibbin, Published by Tundra Books.
- The One About the Blackbird, by Melanie Florence and Illustrated by Matt James, Published by Tundra Books.
The winning book will be announced in late August 2026. The creator(s) of the book will be invited to our annual Fall event, celebrating this year’s winner and honour books.
Thank you to all authors, illustrators and publishers for your submissions to the Sheila Barry Best Canadian Picturebook Award this year. We applaud all of your work and the important role each book may play in individual children’s lives.