The first Red Cedar Award nonfiction winner

We’re firing up the time machine again for a look at the winner of the very first Red Cedar Award for Nonfiction, awarded in May 1998.

The recipient of this first award was In Flanders Fields: The Story of the Poem by John McCrae, by Lisa Granfield, which has since become a Canadian Remembrance Day classic.

flandersIn this award-winning book, the lines of the celebrated poem are interwoven with fascinating information about the First World War (1914-1918) and details of daily life in the trenches in Europe. Also included are accounts of McCrae’s experience in his field hospital and the circumstances that led to the writing of “In Flanders Fields.”

Author Linda Granfield was born and grew up in the United States, but moved to Canada to study at the University of Toronto. Her books have won many awards, including Best Books selection – Ontario Library Association, Best Nonfiction for Children -Canadian Library Association, and of course the Red Cedar Award for Nonfiction. She is passionate about history, and a lot of time and research go into the making of every one of her award-winning children’s books.

The book was illustrated by award-winning Canadian artist, author and speaker Janet Wilson. Ms. Wilson has published over fifty books for children and young adults! She is passionate about social justice, and has written and illustrated several books about children around the world who are working hard to make the world a better place.

Have you read In Flanders Fields: The Story of the Poem by John McCrae? Which book do you think will take home the award in 2016? Let us know in the comments below!

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