MONTREAL, Oct. 25 /CNW/ - TD Bank Financial Group (TDBFG) and the
Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) are proud to announce that Montreal
author André Leblanc is the winner of the 2007 TD Canadian Children's
Literature Award for his work L'Envers de la chanson : des enfants au travail,
1850-1950. Leblanc receives a $20,000 prize, one of the largest prizes
available for children's literature in Canada, in recognition of the
exceptional quality of his work. The book's publisher Les 400 coups will also
receive $2,500 for promotional purposes.
    L'Envers de la chanson : des enfants au travail, 1850-1950 consists of
original text and photo archives and is written for children aged seven and
up. It paints a picture of the everyday working lives experienced by children
in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The judges believe that the book
takes a unique look at the historic reality of our country, a reality worth
sharing with our children and one that still exists in parts of the world. The
overall quality of the book and the perfect matching of text to photographs
depict a certain joie de vivre, despite the somewhat sensitive subject matter.
    This year's judges for the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award were
Charlotte Guérette, a retired professor associated with Université Laval;
Pascale Grenier, librarian at Espace jeunes, head of the Centre québécois en
littérature pour la jeunesse - Direction des services à la clientèle
Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec; Manon Richer, a children's
literature instructor and expert; Céline Rufiange, a reading resource teacher
and contributor to Lurelu magazine; and Nathalie Tremblay, a children's
bookseller at Alire bookstore.
    "TD Bank Financial Group is very proud to be associated with these very
talented francophone artists and to support their creative passion with such a
substantial award. Promoting literacy, children's education and learning in
Quebec and their exposure to quality literature is a priority for TD," said
Christine Marchildon, Senior Vice President Québec Region, TD Canada Trust.
    Original Canadian publications of all literary genres that were written
in French for children aged 0 to 12 were eligible for the award. Judging was
based on the quality of work, their overall contribution to children's
literature and the contribution they made to young readers. In addition to the
$20,000 prize for the winner, an amount of $10,000 will be shared among the
four finalists, Le Chat du Père Noé by Daniel Mativat; Frisson l'écureuil by
Mélanie Watt; Les Enfants de l'eau by Angèle Delaunois and Gérard Frischeteau,
and Hush ! Hush ! by Michel Noel.
    The English language portion of the award was held on October 15, 2007 in
Toronto. Sarah Ellis received $20,000 for her work Odd Man Out and the
finalists shared in a $10,000 award.

    About TD Community Giving: Making a Difference Together

    Children's health, literacy and education, and the environment are the
three primary areas of focus for TD's community giving. The major flagship
programs within these areas are: TD Children's Hospital Fund, TD Friends of
the Environment Foundation and the TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, TD
Canadian Children's Book Week, TD Canada Trust Scholarships for Community
Leadership, and the TD Summer Reading Club. In addition, through the support
of our customers and employees, TD is involved with a host of national,
regional and local programs in support of diversity, arts and culture and
other causes. In 2006, TD donated $33 million to more than 1,600 charities and
not-for-profit organizations across Canada.

    About the Canadian Children's Book Centre (www.bookcentre.ca)

    A national not-for-profit organization and registered charity, the
Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) was founded in 1976 to promote, support
and encourage the reading, writing and illustrating of Canadian books for
children and teens. With book collections and extensive resources in five
cities across Canada, the CCBC is a treasure-trove for anyone interested in
Canadian books for young readers.

For further information: Amély Tremblay, Morin Relations Publiques,
(514) 289-8688, extension 226, Cellular: (514) 774-8522, amely@morinrp.com