A story of young ninjas cutting loose and a collection of stories delving into the effect of secrets kept and revealed took home top honours at the annual Victoria Book Prize gala Wednesday night at the Union Club.
Chris Tougas, who won the inaugural Bolen Children’s Book Prize in 2008, repeated the feat this week as Dojo Daycare took the award.
Julie Paul won the City of Victoria Butler Book Prize for her short-story collection The Pull of the Moon. That prize has been handed out for 12 years.
Both authors won $5,000 for their efforts.
Dojo Daycare is the tale of six young ninjas running wild after being dropped off by their ninja moms and ninja dads.
Tougas was the writer-illustrator of the book.
The Pull of the Moon is a collection of 12 unsettling stories exploring the relationships between friends, family and lovers and examines what happens when secrets are kept and then revealed.
Wednesday’s event was opened by Victoria Poet Laureate Yvonne Blomer reading from her recent works.
The City of Victoria Butler Book Prize is a partnership between the City of Victoria and Brian Butler of Butler Brothers Supplies. The Bolen Books Children’s Book Prize founded by Mel Bolen provides authors and illustrators of children’s and youth literature an increased opportunity for recognition.
