Canada gets new children's book prize

(CBC) - The former CEO of TD Bank Financial Group is launching a new $10,000 children's book award.

Charles Baillie announced Tuesday that he's funding the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award to be given out each year, beginning in November.

The prize is named after his wife, a writer of children's books.

Books eligible for the award must be written in English, be aimed at readers aged three to six, be written and illustrated by Canadians and be published first in Canada.

The prize will be administered by the Canadian Children's Book Centre, a non-profit organization that supports Canadian books for young people.

"We are thrilled that Charles Baillie has entrusted us with the co-ordination of this important and generous new award," said Charlotte Teeple, executive director of the book centre. "It will ... help bring national recognition for Canadian children's authors and illustrators."

Baillie and his wife are no strangers to philanthropy. The couple recently added another $3 million to the $2 million they had donated for renovations to the Art Gallery of Ontario. Charles Baillie is the gallery's president. The AGO's new hosting venue will be named Baillie Court.

The Baillies are also high-profile supporters of the Soulpepper Theatre Company, the Shaw Festival, the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the United Way.

© the CBC, 2006