Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People

The '''Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People''', colloquially called the '''Vicky''', is given annually at the Writers' Trust Awards to a writer or illustrator whose body of work has been "inspirational to Canadian youth". It is a top honour for {{c|Canadian children's writers}} and {{c|Canadian children's book illustrators}}.

Vicky Metcalf, a Canadian librarian,<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Keenan |first=Kathleen |date=2017-12-15 |title=Award-Winning Canadian Books from 2017 |url=https://bookriot.com/award-winning-canadian-books-from-2017/ |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=BOOK RIOT |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-09-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924161747/https://bookriot.com/award-winning-canadian-books-from-2017/ |url-status=live }}</ref> established the award "in 1963 to stimulate the writing of literature for Canadian children."<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People |url=https://www.writerstrust.com/awards/vicky-metcalf-award-for-literature-for-young-people/ |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=Writers' Trust of Canada |language=en |archive-date=2023-03-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319162526/https://www.writerstrust.com/awards/vicky-metcalf-award-for-literature-for-young-people/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Hopkins |first=Amanda |date=2014-04-28 |title=Vicky Metcalf Award for Children's Literature |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/vicky-metcalf-award-for-childrens-literature |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=The Canadian Encyclopedia |archive-date=2023-03-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318051506/https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/vicky-metcalf-award-for-childrens-literature |url-status=live }}</ref> Before 2013, the prize was known as the Vicky Metcalf Award for Children's Literature. The award is sponsored by the Metcalf Foundation,<ref name=":2" /> whose objective "is to enhance the effectiveness of people and organizations working together to help Canadians imagine and build a just, healthy and creative society."<ref name=":1" /> In 2002, the award was taken over by the Writers' Trust of Canada from the Canadian Authors Association.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

To be eligible for the award, recipients must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, have published a minimum of four English-language children's book, and have published at least one first-edition book in the previous three years.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> Winners are selected by a three-person jury<ref name=":2" /> and receive $25,000 CAD.<ref name=":1" />

==Winners==

=== 20th Century === {| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" |+Award winners, 1963–1999<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Vicky Metcalf Award for Children’s Literature Archives |url=https://bookcentre.ca/awards/vicky-metcalf-award-childrens-literature |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=Canadian Children's Book Centre |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-05-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512022808/http://bookcentre.ca/awards/vicky-metcalf-award-childrens-literature |url-status=live }}</ref> !Year !Winner !Ref. |- !1963 |{{sortname|last=Wood|first=Kerry|link=Kerry Wood (author)}} | |- !1964 |{{sortname|last=Hayes|first=John F.|link=John F. Hayes (writer)}} | |- !1965 |{{sortname|last=Haig-Brown|first=Roderick}} | |- !1966 |{{sortname|last=Swayze|first=Fred|nolink=1}} | |- !1967 |{{sortname|last=Gillese|first=John Patrick}} | |- !1968 |{{sortname|last=McLaughlin|first=Lorrie}} | |- !1969 |{{sortname|last=McKim|first=Audrey}} | |- !1970 |{{sortname|last=Mowat|first=Farley}} |<ref name=":2" /> |- !1971 |{{sortname|last=Hill|first=Kay}} | |- !1972 |{{sortname|last=Toye|first=William|link=William Toye (author)}} | |- !1973 |{{sortname|last=Harris|first=Christie}} | |- !1974 |{{sortname|last=Little|first=Jean}} |<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-04-09 |title=Obituary Note: Jean Little |url=https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=3714 |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=Shelf Awareness |archive-date=2023-02-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208035806/https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=3714 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- !1975 |{{sortname|last=Harrington|first=Lyn}} | |- !1976 |{{sortname|last=Martel|first=Suzanne}} | |- !1977 |{{sortname|last=Houston|first=James Archibald}} | |- !1978 |{{sortname|last=Cook|first=Lyn | link = Lyn Cook (children's author)}} | |- !1979 |{{sortname|last=Faulknor|first=Cliff}} | |- !1980 |{{sortname|last=Craig|first=John|nolink=1}} | |- !1981 |{{sortname|last=Hughes|first=Monica}} | |- !1982 |{{sortname|last=Lunn|first=Janet}} |<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-07-03 |title=Obituary Note: Janet Lunn |url=https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=3035 |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=Shelf Awareness |archive-date=2023-02-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207150631/https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=3035 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- !1983 |{{sortname|last=Mackay|first=Claire}} | |- !1984 |{{sortname|last=Freeman|first=Bill|link=Bill Freeman (author)}} | |- !1985 |{{sortname|last=Fowke|first=Edith}} | |- !1986 |{{sortname|last=Lee|first=Dennis|link=Dennis Lee (author)}} |<ref name=":2" /> |- !1987 |{{sortname|last=Munsch|first=Robert}} |<ref name=":2" /> |- !1988 |{{sortname|last=Smucker|first=Barbara}} | |- !1989 |{{sortname|last=Poulin|first=Stéphane}} | |- !1990 |{{sortname|last=Hunter|first=Bernice Thurman}} | |- !1991 |{{sortname|last=Doyle|first=Brian|link=Brian Doyle (Canadian writer)}} | |- !1992 |{{sortname|last=Major|first=Kevin}} | |- !1993 |{{sortname|last=Gilman|first=Phoebe}} | |- !1994 |{{sortname|last=Katz|first=Welwyn Wilton}} | |- !1995 |{{sortname|last=Ellis|first=Sarah|link=Sarah Ellis (author)}} | |- !1996 |{{sortname|last=Buffie|first=Margaret}} | |- !1997 |{{sortname|last=Wynne-Jones|first=Tim}} |<ref name=":2" /> |- !1998 |{{sortname|last=Pearson|first=Kit}} | |- !1999 |{{sortname|last=Clark|first=Joan}} |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-19 |title=Obituary Note: Joan Clark |url=https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=4462 |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=Shelf Awareness |archive-date=2023-04-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419175619/https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=4462 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- !2000 |{{sortname|last=Fitch|first=Sheree}} |<ref name=":4" /> |}

=== 21st Century === {| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" |+Award winners, 2000–present<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Writers & Books |url=https://www.writerstrust.com/writers-books/awards/vicky-metcalf-award-for-literature-for-young-people/all/ |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=Writers' Trust of Canada |language=en |archive-date=2023-03-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319162755/https://www.writerstrust.com/writers-books/awards/vicky-metcalf-award-for-literature-for-young-people/all/ |url-status=live }}</ref> !Year !Winner !Selected works !Ref. |- !2001 |{{sortname|last=Granfield|first=Linda}} | |<ref name=":4" /> |- !2002 |{{sortname|last=Johnston|first=Julie|link=Julie Johnston (writer)}} | |<ref name=":4" /> |- !2003 |{{sortname|last=Schwartz|first=Roslyn}} | |<ref name=":4" /> |- !2004 |{{sortname|last=Ellis|first=Deborah}} | |<ref name=":4" /> |- !2005 |{{sortname|last=Gay|first=Marie-Louise}} | |<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" /> |- !2006 |{{sortname|last=Oppel|first=Kenneth}} | |<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" /> |- !2007 |{{sortname|last=Brooks|first=Martha}} | |<ref name=":4" /> |- !2008 |{{sortname|last=Kusugak|first=Michael}} | |<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" /> |- !2009 |{{sortname|last=Jocelyn|first=Marthe}} | |<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" /> |- !2010 |{{sortname|last=Horvath|first=Polly}} | |<ref name=":4" /> |- !2011 |{{sortname|last=Lawrence|first=Iain}} | * ''The Winter Pony'' * ''Gemini Summer'' * ''The Convicts'' * ''The Smugglers'' * ''The Wreckers'' |<ref name=":4" /> |- !2012 |{{sortname|last=Yee|first=Paul}} | * ''Money Boy'' * ''Dead Man’s Gold and Other Stories'' * ''Ghost Train'' * ''Tales from Gold Mountain'' * ''Teach Me to Fly, Skyfighter!'' |<ref name=":4" /> |- !2013 |{{sortname|last=Reid|first=Barbara}} | * ''The Night Before Christmas'' * ''Picture a Tree'' * ''Perfect Snow'' * ''The Party'' * ''Sing a Song of Mother Goose'' |<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Leigh Anne |date=2013-11-21 |title=McAdam, Moore Awarded Writers’ Trust Prizes |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/awards-and-prizes/article/60105-mcadam-moore-awarded-writers-trust-prizes.html |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=Publishers Weekly |language=en |archive-date=2013-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131124143200/http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/awards-and-prizes/article/60105-mcadam-moore-awarded-writers-trust-prizes.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |- !2014 |{{sortname|last=Fagan|first=Cary}} | * ''The Show to End All Shows'' * ''Mr. Zinger’s Hat'' * ''Jacob Two-Two on the High Seas'' * ''Thing-Thing'' * ''The Market Wedding'' |<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dundas |first=Deborah |date=2014-11-04 |title=Miriam Toews wins $25,000 Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2014/11/04/miriam_toews_wins_25000_writers_trust_fiction_prize.html |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=The Toronto Star |language=en |archive-date=2015-12-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208034643/http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2014/11/04/miriam_toews_wins_25000_writers_trust_fiction_prize.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |- !2015 |{{sortname|last=Thornhill|first=Jan}} | * ''Kyle Goes Alone'' * ''This is My Planet'' * ''I Found a Dead Bird'' * ''The Rumor'' * ''The Wildlife 123'' |<ref>{{Cite news |last=Medley |first=Mark |date=2015-11-03 |title=André Alexis wins Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize |language=en-CA |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/rogers-writers-trust-fiction-prize-goes-to-author-andre-alexis/article27079751/ |access-date=2023-05-12 |archive-date=2023-04-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407065726/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/rogers-writers-trust-fiction-prize-goes-to-author-andre-alexis/article27079751/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Godfrey |first=Laura |date=2017-11-22 |title='Great Auk' Wins TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/75461-great-auk-wins-td-canadian-children-s-literature-award.html |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=Publishers Weekly |language=en |archive-date=2022-08-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811123633/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/75461-great-auk-wins-td-canadian-children-s-literature-award.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |- !2016 |{{sortname|last=Cumyn|first=Alan}} | * ''Hot Pterodactyl Boyfriend'' * ''Tilt'' * ''Dear Sylvia'' * ''After Sylvia'' * ''The Secret Life of Owen Skye'' |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-11-02 |title=Eden Robinson, Gregory Scofield, Yasuko Thanh among 2016 Writers' Trust Prize winners |url=http://www.cbc.ca/books/2016/11/2016-writers-trust-awards.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108083351/http://www.cbc.ca/books/2016/11/2016-writers-trust-awards.html |archive-date=2016-11-08 |website=CBC Books}}</ref> |- !2017 |{{sortname|last=Slipperjack|first=Ruby}} | * ''Dear Canada: These Are My Words'' * ''Dog Tracks'' * ''Little Voice'' * ''Silent Words'' * ''Honour the Sun'' |<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Beattie |first=Steven W. |date=2017-11-15 |title=David Chariandy, Billie Livingston, and Diane Schoemperlen among the winners at the 2017 Writers’ Trust awards |url=https://quillandquire.com/omni/david-chariandy-billie-livingston-and-diane-schoemperlen-among-the-winners-at-the-2017-writers-trust-awards/ |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=Quill and Quire |language=en |archive-date=2019-04-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422135831/https://quillandquire.com/omni/david-chariandy-billie-livingston-and-diane-schoemperlen-among-the-winners-at-the-2017-writers-trust-awards/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-11-16 |title=Awards: Christy; Writers' Trust of Canada; Patrick White Winners |url=https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=3130 |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=Shelf Awareness |archive-date=2023-03-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307140120/https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=3130 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- !2018 |{{sortname|last=Curtis|first=Christopher Paul}} | * ''The Journey of Little Charlie'' * ''The Madman of Piney Woods'' * ''Elijah of Buxton'' * ''Bud, Not Buddy'' * ''The Watsons Go to Birmingham'' |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dundas |first=Deborah |date=2018-11-07 |title=Books inspired by the authors’ parents win the top Writers’ Trust Awards |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2018/11/07/books-inspired-by-the-authors-parents-win-the-top-writers-trust-awards.html |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=The Toronto Star |language=en |archive-date=2022-10-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013070222/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2018/11/07/books-inspired-by-the-authors-parents-win-the-top-writers-trust-awards.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-11-14 |title=Awards: Writers' Trust of Canada Winners |url=https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=3376 |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=Shelf Awareness |archive-date=2022-09-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930093439/https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=3376 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- !2019 |{{sortname|last=Nielsen|first=Susin}} | * ''No Fixed Address'' * ''Optimists Die First'' * ''We Are All Made of Molecules'' * ''Word Nerd'' |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-11-07 |title=Awards: Writers' Trust of Canada Winners |url=https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=3616 |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=Shelf Awareness |archive-date=2022-05-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520004454/https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=3616 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- !2020 |{{sortname|last=Dubuc|first=Marianne|link=Marianne Dubuc (illustrator)}} | * ''The Lion and the Bird'' * ''The Bus Ride Up the Mountain Path'' * ''Otto and Pio'' * ''Little Cheetah's Shadow'' |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Ryan |date=2020-12-02 |title=Writers’ Trust honours four career authors with $25,000 prizes |url=https://quillandquire.com/omni/writers-trust-honours-four-career-authors-with-25000-prizes/ |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=Quill and Quire |language=en |archive-date=2021-10-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016121830/https://quillandquire.com/omni/writers-trust-honours-four-career-authors-with-25000-prizes/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- !2021 |{{sortname|last=Bailey|first=Linda}} | * ''Stanley's Party Toads on Toasy'' * ''The Tiny Hero of Ferny Creek Library'' * ''Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein'' * ''Princesses Versus Dinosaurs'' |<ref>{{Cite web |last=van Koeverden |first=Jane |date=2021-11-03 |title=Katherena Vermette, Tomson Highway and Cherie Dimaline among winners at 2021 Writers' Trust Awards |url=https://www.cbc.ca/books/katherena-vermette-tomson-highway-and-cherie-dimaline-among-winners-at-2021-writers-trust-awards-1.6234384 |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=CBC Books |archive-date=2021-11-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105163434/https://www.cbc.ca/books/katherena-vermette-tomson-highway-and-cherie-dimaline-among-winners-at-2021-writers-trust-awards-1.6234384 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- !2022 |{{sortname|last=Gravel|first=Elise}} | *''Le Grand Antonio'' (2014) / ''The Great Antonio'' (2017) |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dundas |first=Deborah |date=2022-11-02 |title=Writers’ Trust 2022 book award winners collect $270,000 in prizes |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2022/11/02/writers-trust-2022-book-award-winners-collect-270000-in-prizes.html |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=The Toronto Star |language=en |archive-date=2022-11-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103004444/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2022/11/02/writers-trust-2022-book-award-winners-collect-270000-in-prizes.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-04 |title=Awards: Writers' Trust of Canada Winners; SIBA Southern Book Finalists |url=https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=4353 |access-date=2023-05-12 |website=Shelf Awareness |archive-date=2022-11-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130073011/https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=4353 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- !2023 |{{sortname|last=Maclear|first=Kyo}} | *Bloom: A Story of Fashion Designer Elsa Schiaparelli *Operatic *It Began with a Page: How Gyo Fujikawa Drew the Way |<ref>Nicole Thompson, [https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/kai-thomas-wins-atwood-gibson-writers-trust-fiction-prize-for-debut-novel/article_efce4016-ff9f-58cb-937c-af5cc65850e8.html "Kai Thomas wins Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Fiction Prize for debut novel"]. ''Toronto Star'', November 21, 2023.</ref> |- ! 2024 |{{sortname|Sara|O'Leary}} | |<ref>[https://www.cbc.ca/books/sheung-king-martha-baillie-among-writers-trust-literary-prize-winners-1.7386578 "Sheung-King, Martha Baillie among Writers' Trust literary prize winners"]. CBC Books, November 19, 2017.</ref> |- ! 2025 | {{sortname|Julie|Flett}} | | <ref>Cassandra Drudi, [https://quillandquire.com/omni/leanne-betasamosake-simpson-maria-reva-roza-nozari-among-writers-trust-award-winners/ "Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, Maria Reva, Roza Nozari among Writers’ Trust award winners"]. ''Quill & Quire'', November 13, 2025.</ref> |}

== References == {{reflist}}

==External links== *[http://www.canauthors.org/awards/metcalf.html CAA VM award page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031212011948/http://www.canauthors.org/awards/metcalf.html |date=2003-12-12 }} *[https://www.writerstrust.com/writers-books/awards/vicky-metcalf-award-for-literature-for-young-people/all/ Writers' Trust of Canada]

Category:Writers' Trust of Canada awards Category:Awards established in 1963 Category:1963 establishments in Canada Category:Canadian children's literary awards