Started in 1994, students and staff were given the opportunity to vote for the best picture book of the year. A contest was held to design an award symbol to be attached to the winning book, which has continued to be used every year. This event proved so popular that this has become an annual event.

Each year the library staff decides on 4 books that were recently acquired and published. In Spring 2019 the Grade 12 Composition class was included in the evaluation and recommendation of finalists. This year, the grade 12s analyzed and voted for the top 4 nominees.

During K-5 library periods these books are read to the students and aspects of evaluating the writing and illustrations are discussed. These classes then vote for the book they think should receive our special award.

We want to continue this tradition. Each week in May, a story time for one of the 4 finalists will be posted to our Virtual Learning Commons at students.mrcs.ca, on the MRCS Picture Book Award 2020 tab. Final votes will be cast online May 29th when the 4th finalist video is posted.