Grand Prize, Ex aequo - 2000 Luxcanada, illustration, children's book

Most chickens have enough sense to run when a coyote comes near. Not Emma. She thinks she can outfox a hungry canine despite the warnings of the farmer and his family.

One day the suspense reaches a peak when the hungry coyote comes a little too close. Will Emma's "uncanny good luck" hold out even if her common sense doesn't?

Margriet Ruurs has once again created a hen-house farce that will draw chuckles from fans of this plucky chicken. Barbara Spurll's trademark animal caricatures will delight as they bring this barnyard comedy to life.

Margriet Ruurs is the author of over 30 books for children, including Wild Babies and A Pacific Alphabet. Two previous Emma books, Emma and the Coyote and Emma's Cold Day, won the Mr. Christie's Book Award Silver Seal.

Born in the Netherlands, Margriet has lived in California, the Yukon, Alberta, and British Columbia. Currently she lives on Salt Spring Island where she runs a booklovers' B and B. Margriet conducts author visits and writing workshops at international schools around the world.

Barbara Spurll is best known for her renderings of animals with attitude. Besides her award-winning work on the Emma series, Barbara's artwork enlivens many other books for children, including Mooki and the Too Proud Peacock, The Flying Tortoise, and Rhinos for Lunch and Elephants for Supper! Born in England, Barbara now lives in Toronto, Ontario.