The Prix du livre jeunesse des Bibliothèques de Montréal aims to recognize the excellence of Montréal creators of books for young people. The city and its public libraries created this award to honour the contribution of children’s literature to Montréal’s cultural renown.

Winners

The city awards a $5,000 grant to the creator or to the co-creators of a French- or English-language book for children or young adults.

Finalists

The four finalists or pairs of finalists win a $500 cash prize. The cash prizes for finalists are offered by Les Amis de la Bibliothèque de Montréal.

Promotional support

• All finalist books are acquired and made available in the city’s 46 public libraries, with at least 1 copy of each title per library.
• All of the Jury’s Selection titles are also part of the collections of Montréal’s municipal libraries.
• When available, the audio, digital and digital audio versions of the books are acquired.
• Le Prix du livre jeunesse des Bibliothèques de Montréal produces and provides promotional materials to publishers, bookstores and libraries to showcase the works recognized by the award.
• Events promoting the books and finalists may be staged before the presentation of the Grand Prix du livre de Montréal.
• By agreeing to have their name appear on the jury’s selection list, authors and publishers undertake to make every effort to participate in and prepare for the ceremony and promotional activities.

This award recognizes excellence in literature for children and young adults. Only books that publishers consider exceptional in their category should be submitted. 

Submissions must fall under one of the following categories: board book, illustrated book, tale, nursery rhyme, picture book, nonfiction book, novel, poetry, essay, theatre, graphic novel, and hybrid forms (illustrated novel, poetic essay, etc.). 

To be submitted, a book must:

• Be for readers ages 17 and under
• Written by a Montréal-based creator or published by a Montréal-based publisher
• Written in French or English
• Have been published for the first time and made available on the Québec market during the reference year (between January 1 and December 31 of the previous year)
• Be published by a professional publisher whose services are not paid for in whole or in part by the author
• In the case of a series of books, Volume 1 can still be submitted. Subsequent volumes can only be submitted if they are not sequels. These volumes must be able to be read independently and in random order
• Include an ISBN number
• Be submitted by the deadline 

Exclusions:

• Books created, in whole or in part, through generative artificial intelligence systems (texts and/or illustrations)
• Works whose author, or whose author’s immediate family, is a member of the jury or of the team administering the award
• Reissued books
• Reprints
• Translations
• Anthologies
• Catalogues
• Inventories
• Manuals
• Self-publications and vanity publishing
• Ghostwritten books
• Series whose volumes constitute sequels (except Volume 1)
• Titles in which one of the creators won the Prix du livre jeunesse de Bibliothèques de Montréal the previous year
• Works of no literary value
• Publications in formats other than print 

The city reserves the right to decide on any eligibility issues and its decision is final.

The jury is composed of librarians working within the Montreal library network who have expertise in literature for children and young adults. Members can serve a maximum of 3 consecutive years. At least 3 years must pass before a previous jury member can participate again. The jury is chosen by the head of the Prix du livre jeunesse des Bibliothèques de Montréal from a pool of librarians who have demonstrated interest and expertise. Equity and diversity representation objectives are set and prioritized when the jury is composed. The members undertake not to sit on the boards of directors or management or on the reading or editorial committees of any publishing company. 

Evaluation process

All eligible books submitted to the Prix du livre jeunesse des Bibliothèques de Montréal are read by all members of the jury, who make a shortlist. These titles are discussed and debated, and jury members agree on the Jury’s Selection of the 10 most outstanding titles. In the event of disagreement, an individual secret ballot may be held. To determine the finalists and the winning title, the jury debates and then holds an individual secret vote. The book with the highest grade wins and the books with the 4 highest grades are declared finalists. The jury’s decision is final and cannot be appealed.

February 27, 2026, for books published between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025.

Publishers who would like to submit a book must do so by the deadline and: 

• Use the online submission platform
• Send 7 printed copies as soon as possible to the following address (all items, including the telephone number, must appear on the package):

Prix du livre jeunesse des Bibliothèques de Montréal
Émilie Labrosse
Direction des Bibliothèques, Service de la culture
Ville de Montréal
801, rue Brennan, 5^th floor, pavillon Prince
Montréal (Québec) H3C 0G4
514 872‑2918

Incomplete applications, applications that are late or whose elements were submitted late and submissions outside submission dates will not be considered.

The publisher is responsible for ensuring the packages are delivered to the aforementioned address. We cannot guarantee that parcels left at the post office or sent to any address other than the aforementioned address will be received on time, so we suggest that you choose another delivery method.

We do not accept deliveries for which costs (customs duties, taxes, etc.) are required.

All books submitted remain at the disposal of the Prix du livre jeunesse des Bibliothèques de Montréal and cannot be returned.

Deadline for submissions

All required items must be received no later than:

• February 27, 2026, for books published between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025.

Fall 2026

Learn more about the last edition.

• Prix du livre jeunesse des Bibliothèques de Montréal: 2025 edition

Discover the award winners who have been honored over the years.