Awards & Commendations for Mr. Byrd:
Governor General FINALIST, 2026
Telling Tales Reading List Selection 2026
CCBC Best Books for Kids and Teens Spring 2026
SYRCA Shining Willow Award 2026-2027
49th Shelf "Fall 2025 Most-Anticipated" Early Chapter Book

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A leather-bound copy of FIREFLY, a gift from the Governor General. Click image for more photos and news about the GG award ceremonies.

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FIREFLY AWARDS
WINNER Governor General's Literary Award
WINNER Ruth & Sylvia
​Schwartz Children's Book Award

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Welcome

Philippa Dowding is the winner of the Governor General's Literary Award and The Ruth & Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Award for her book FIREFLY (DCB), and a two-time Governor General Finalist with THE LOVE SONG OF MR. BYRD in 2026.

Philippa is also a poet, musician, and copywriter, winning marketing awards for Zoomer, Maclean's, Chatelaine, Today’s Parent, Canada's History, and more. Her poetry and short fiction have appeared in Taddle Creek Magazine, The Adirondack Review, The Literary Review of Canada, and elsewhere. She writes full-time from her home in Toronto. FULL BIO

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INTRODUCING The War Lantern (October)
Reviews:
Starred Review, School Library Journal (July, 2026)
Kirkus Review, August 2026
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​Hot Off The Press Selection, 10/2026, The Children's Book Council​
​SLJ Highly Anticipated MG Fiction, 2026
24 Incredible Books SLJ Aug 2024
INDIGO MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK 2026

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Philippa's Blog
Order Books Online ​