THE NATIONAL CHAPTER OF CANADA IODE VIOLET DOWNEY BOOK AWARD
Through the generosity of a former member, the late Mrs. Violet Downey, IODE Canada established "The National Chapter of Canada IODE Violet Downey Book Award" in 1984, and the first award was presented in 1985.
The award is offered annually for the best English language book, containing at least 500 words of text (preferably with Canadian content) in any category, suitable for children aged 13 and under. To be eligible, the book must have been written by a Canadian citizen, and must have been published in Canada during the calendar year immediately preceding the National Chapter annual meeting held in May. Fairy tales, anthologies, and books adapted from another source are not eligible.
An eight-member panel of judges, including IODE members and specialists in the field of children's literature, annually select the award-winning book. Winning authors are presented with The National Chapter of Canada Violet Downey Book Award of $3000.
All books submitted by publishers become the property of IODE Canada. These books are sorted and shipped to school libraries in Labrador that are part of the Adopt-a-Class Program.
