Nominations announced for 2026 PEI Book Awards

Press Release

May 14, 2026

More than a dozen Island authors are being recognized for their work after being nominated for the 2026 PEI Book Awards.

The short list of nominees is as follows:

Children’s Literature
My Little Ogichidaa: An Indigenous Lullaby by Willie Poll
he Sandcastle that Jack Built by Judith Graves
Sarah Ponakey, Storycatcher and Âhâsiw’s Forest Powwow by Sita MacMillan

Fiction
The Baby Train by Stella Shepard
The Floating Days by Susan Rodgers
Ken’s Corner by Katie Mac

Non-Fiction
Called by Mother Earth by Greg F. Naterer
Canada’s Defence Procurement Woes by Jeffrey F. Collins
Erica Rutherford: Her Lives and Works by Pan Wendt

Poetry
The Geography of Home by Edward MacDonald
A Skeptic in Springtime by Brent MacLaine
The Work by Bren Simmers

“Storytelling is at the heart of Island culture, and it is important that we recognize authors who add to that tradition. I congratulate the nominees on this recognition, and I urge Islanders to read the works.

-Minister of Education and Early Years Robin Croucher

Submissions were assessed by an independent jury based on quality of writing, social and cultural merit, and originality of content, approach, and technique. One award will be presented in each category. Each award includes a cash prize, a handcrafted commemorative gift, and a specially designed seal for display on the award-winning book.

The PEI Book Awards are presented every two years and are sponsored by the Department of Education and Early Years.  The poetry award is sponsored by The Bookmark in Charlottetown.

The awards will be held on Sunday, May 24 at 10 a.m. at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre with host Shawn Hogan. Tickets are free but should be reserved online at PEI Book Awards 2026.

For more information on the awards and a list of past winners, visit  PrinceEdwardIsland.ca/BookAward

Media contact:
Andrew Sprague
Department of Education and Early Years
asgsprague@gov.pe.ca

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