IODE Canada

The National Chapter of Canada IODE Violet Downey Book Award

BUDGE WILSON, NOVA SCOTIA AUTHOR receives 2009 IODE Violet Downey Book Award for Before Green Gables

IODE Nova Scotia Chapter President, Lorraine Kent, presented Budge Wilson, critically acclaimed author, who won The National Chapter of Canada IODE Violet Downey Book Award for Before Green Gables her certificate and prize, on 17 June 2009 at a provincial IODE meeting. This is the 25th year of the award, valued at $3,000, that recognizes excellence in children’s literature by a Canadian author.

Before Green Gables, a highly anticipated and fully authorized prequel to the Lucy Maud Montgomery classic, Anne of Green Gables, tells the story of Anne’s life, after being orphaned as a baby, in foster homes and a Nova Scotia orphanage before her adoption at 11 years of age and her move to a farm in Prince Edward Island to live with Mathew and Muriel Cuthbert in Avonlea – a must-read for all who read and loved the Anne of Green Gables series.

Before Green Gables has already been translated into different languages most notably the two volume Japanese publication to be read from back to front.

The annual award is given to a Canadian author of a book written in English of 500 words or more for children aged 13 and under which has been published in Canada during the calendar year preceding the IODE Canada National Annual Meeting held in May. As the author was unable to attend the National Annual Meeting in Victoria in May, IODE Nova Scotia President, Lorraine Kent, was thrilled to honour Budge with this award.

Founded in 1900, IODE Canada is a national women’s charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals, through education support, community service and citizenship programs.