Canadian authors, publisher nab big global prizes

The international literary scene has been showering Canadian authors and publishers with love as of late.

Tundra Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House Canada, was named best publisher for the North America region at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair earlier this month.

The book fair, in conjunction with the Swedish government, also announced Winnipeg-born, L.A.-based author-illustrator Jon Klassen (This Is Not My Hat) as the recipient of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award for his work in children’s literature, a prize that comes with five million Swedish kronor (around $749,000).

Closer to home, two Canadian authors are among 223 recipients of 2026 Guggenheim fellowships based out of New York.

André Alexis (Other Worlds, Fifteen Dogs) and Madeleine Thien (The Book of Records, Do Not Say We Have Nothing) were both named as recipients of the fellowships, which provide grants to individuals working in a range of disciplines. Over 19,000 fellowships have been awarded since the inception of the prize in 1925. Other writers to receive 2026 fellowships include Marlon James, Bret Anthony Johnson and Megha Majumdar.

To see the recipients in all fields, visit gf.org.

● ● ●

Winnipeg author and professor Amy Lynn Farrell launches her debut young-adult novel The Moth Dreamer tonight at 7 p.m. at McNally Robinson Booksellers’ Grant Park location.

The Eabametoong First Nation and Anishinaabe author’s novel follows a teen girl navigating physical and spiritual realms, caught between waking life and a dreamscape.

Farrell will be joined at the launch by improv performer and instructor Stephen Sim.

Buy on mcnallyrobinson.com

● ● ●

On Thursday at 7 p.m., University of Winnipeg professor emeritus and Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives research associate Jim Silver launches his new book The Transformative Power of Adult Education at McNally Robinson’s Grant Park location.

The book explores the crucial impact adult education can have on communities and families, and posits adult education is as important as post-secondary and K-12 schooling.

Buy on mcnallyrobinson.com

● ● ●

Prairie Fire is throwing a kitchen party in celebration of a special issue of the literary magazine.

Hosted by author Kristian Enright, the shindig for the “Manitoba Kitchen Party” issue of Prairie Fire takes place on Friday at 7 p.m. at McNally Robinson’s Grant Park location and will feature readings by, among others, Zilla Jones, Katherine Bitney, Di Brandt, Bob Armstrong, Angeline Schellenberg and Linda Trinh.

● ● ●

Winnipeg-based Swampy Cree author David A. Robertson has landed on another litary short list — this time for the 2026 B.C. and Yukon Book Prizes.

The children’s picture book Little Shoes, written by Robertson and illustrated by B.C.-based collaborator Maya McKibbin, is a finalist in the illustrated children’s literature prize.

The B.C. and Yukon Book Prizes offer awards in eight categories; other shortlisted authors for awards, which will be presented Sept. 19 in Vancouver, include Bill Gaston, Maria Reva, Tracey Lindberg and George Littlechild.

● ● ●

The short list for the $60,000 Donner Prize, which fêtes the best public policy book written by a Canadian, has been announced.

Vying for the prize are: Breaking Point: The New Big Shifts Putting Canada at Risk by Darrell Bricker and John Ibbitson; 21 Things You Need to Know About Indigenous Self-Government: A Conversation About Dismantling the Indian Act by Bob Joseph;Borderline Chaos: How Canada Got Immigration Right, and Then Wrong by Tony Keller; A New Blueprint for Government: Reshaping Power, The PMO, and the Public Service by Kevin G. Lynch and James R. Mitchell, and; The Age of Extraction: How Tech Platforms Conquered the Economy and Threaten Our Future Prosperity by Tim Wu.

The winner will be announced on May 14.

● ● ●

Romance bookstore Bound to Please (995 McPhillips St.) has been peddling literary love stories and more since January, and is officially celebrating today in the form of a grand opening event.

The shop is offering free donuts and tea all day (10 a.m.-7 p.m.) as well as live music and more.

winnipegfreepress.com/bensigurdson