Jury’s comment

“This essay by India Desjardins (in French) took the jury by surprise with its spot-on insights and highly accessible style. Skillfully blending personal experiences with scientific facts, this book reveals a wealth of interesting, otherwise little known, facts about the small and large inequalities women face in pop culture and the influence of toxic relationships. References abound but never weigh down the text, and LaCharbonne’s vibrant illustrations flatter an attractive layout. The bibliography deserves special mention: ample and not at all boring! A useful book for both girls and boys alike, from teens to adults!”

Reserve (in French)

Photo credit: Julie Artacho

Jury’s comment

“The jury was charmed by the spirit that animates this book by Amélie Dumoulin (in French), a stream of consciousness where present and projected memories collide to change our world view. A teenager, a picnic table in a restaurant parking lot; her body forces her to stop. Is she pregnant? Time stands still, and that’s when the magic unfolds. The tone is so authentic that you feel as though you are inside the mind of a real teenager discovering an immense power: the power to marvel at the reality around her, as ordinary and familiar as it may be. It’s contagious: you’ll want to try it out for yourself.” 

Reserve (in French)

Photo credits: Josée Lecompte

Jury’s comment

“In Nouilleville, life is uniquely absurd, except that on Mondays, you have to take things seriously. Captivated, enchanted, charmed, the jury was blown away by the wealth of detail hidden in the illustrations of this zany mini-comic with its zany perspective, where the celebration of friendship dominates the obsession with taking everything seriously. The story, written and illustrated by Richard Écrapou (in French), takes us down unusual paths we would love to explore more often, if only to fully embrace our carefree spirit. A jubilant work that shatters the standards of reasonableness.” 

Reserve (in French)

Photo credits: Iris Boudreau

Jury’s comment

“In fluid, clear language, Maude Nepveu-Villeneuve (in French) draws on her own experience to speak to teens seeking answers about their potential difference. Richly documented through interviews with young people and references to scientific literature, the essay remains accessible in both tone and presentation of information, as well as through its perfectly chosen examples. It debunks the myths surrounding neurodivergent behaviours, the proliferation and types of diagnoses, and, above all, provides valuable tools for better understanding oneself and others and for offering support. A necessary, accessible book that should be in the hands of everyone navigating the turbulent waters of adolescence.”

Reserve (in French)

Photo credit: Antoine Raymond

Jury’s comment

“La maison cachette stole the jury’s hearts once and for all! A magnificent work in every respect, from the quality of the physical book itself to the carefully designed layout and the warm, powerful illustrations that complement a rich and meticulously chosen text. Erika Soucy (in French) and Geneviève Bigué (in French) weave a tale that is both sad and luminous, featuring characters brimming with kindness who show us that, even in painful moments, love and solidarity can change everything. A gem every child will treasure!” 

Reserve (in French)

Photo credit: Hugo B. Dufort (Erika Soucy)

Jury’s comment

“It’s impossible to resist the adorable faces of the frogs sandwiched in the title, the object of the gluttonous bear’s desire! Danielle Chaperon’s (in French) well-crafted, humorous text and brisk pacing compelled the jury to track the hungry bear’s on its wacky, frantic quest! Élodie Duhameau’s (in French) illustrations, perfectly caricatured and sprinkled with 1001 details and amusing nods, reward the most perceptive young (and not-so-young) readers. Text and images exist in perfect harmony, complementing each other flawlessly right up to the unexpected final twist. A delightful picture book that whets the appetite while sparking conversation!” 

Reserve (in French)

Photo credits: Katherine Guertin (Danielle Chaperon) and Frederick Wolfe (Élodie Duhameau)

Jury’s comment

“Chloé Chartrand (in French) offers a touching and authentic snapshot of the life of a toxic friendship between two teenage girls, from birth to end. We deeply felt all of Amélie’s conflicting emotions, as she finds herself in a situation that starts out happy but gradually takes an undesirable and terrible turn, all within a short, powerful, and effective narrative. The jury was impressed by the pitch-perfect portrayal of the main character: a hypersensitive and vulnerable girl who loses sight of herself and cannot assert herself, until she finally achieves a moment of clarity. Enflammées can inspire many young people. ”

Reserve (in French)

Photo credit: Chantale Lecours

Jury’s comment

“Michaël Escoffier and Agathe Bray-Bourret (in French) have teamed up to create a humorous picture book on a serious topic, considered a smashing success by the jury! Skillfully concealed beneath a veil of humour thanks to its joyful and optimistic text, the dictatorial regime and its devastating consequences are conveyed through rich illustrations that offer many nuances. The wealth of details scattered throughout the pages will delight readers of all ages, who will find connections to the schoolyard or current events. The flamboyant ant queen’s behaviour offers a light-hearted opportunity to spark a discussion about authoritarian excesses.”

Reserve (in French)

Photo credits: Jean-Philippe Heurtier (Michaël Escoffier)

Jury’s comment

“With Au chevet de la lumière, Jean-Christophe Réhel (in French) has created an accessible, moving, and poignantly realistic work that accurately captures the pain and confusion induced by illness. Despite the potentially heavy emotional weight of this subject matter, a ray of light gently runs through the work, as if to remind us that even in the greatest trials, the promise of a future remains. A delicate work with luminous resonance and profound humanity.”

Reserve (in French)

Photo credit: Chantale Lecours

Jury’s comment

“In Je suis un volcan, Mélina Schoenborn brings words and expressions into sharp contrast to evoke smells, sounds, pain, and tenderness. The author’s artful depiction of spoken language, blending vivid imagery with natural speech to create short, poetic phrases, made a strong emotional impact on the jury. The subject of domestic violence is presented here in an insidious, underhanded, and mundane way, showing that it can happen to even the best of people. Because it helps readers detect the signs of violence, this short novel is essential.” 

Reserve (in French)

Photo credit: Chantale Lecours