Science Writers Award Finalist
June 25th, 2024
Author Philippa Joly is a finalist for the Child and Youth category of the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada 2023 Book Awards for her book, A Kid’s Guide to Plants of the Pacific Northwest (Harbour $26.95). The winners will be announced on the SWCC website during Science Literacy Week in September 2024.
This middle-grade guide introduces the Pacific Northwest flora through engaging outdoor activities, games, and quizzes, making nature exploration fun for families and educators. Children can dig up roots, observe carnivorous plants, taste miner’s lettuce, and hunt for unique natural creations like the arbutus tree. The book also includes instructions for making plantain salve and tips on distinguishing edible berries from harmful ones. Emphasizing the benefits of outdoor time, such as increased self-confidence, attention span, and physical well-being, author Philippa Joly draws on her experience as a herbalist and educator. The guide features over fifty illustrated plant profiles, detailing their identification, ecology, uses in Coastal Indigenous cultures, and related activities, making it accessible and engaging for all ages.
The book was also awarded the Silver Medal in the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards (2023), and longlisted for the AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books (2024).
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ABOUT THE AWARD
Science Writers & Communicators of Canada (SWCC) was founded in 1970 as the Canadian Science Writers’ Association by a small group of science and medical reporters who recognized their role in helping other Canadians better understand rapid changes occurring in our world. Each year, SWCC’s Book Awards program offers awards that recognize excellence in Canadian science writing.
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