Recently, the Burlington Public Library (BPL) announced the winners of its annual bookmark contest from a pool of 16 talented finalists.
The theme of this year’s contest was “be inspired by your favourite book,” and there were categories for kids aged 5 and under, 6 to 12 years, 13 to 17 years, and an adult 18+ category. After BPL staff narrowed down the 278 entries to the 16 finalists, the public was able to vote for their favourites in each group.
The winners were: Rori C. (for the age 5 and under group); Samreen K. (6- to 12-year group); Shannon B. (13- to 17-year group); and Hayley E. (from the 18+ category).
We wanted to know more about each winner’s favourite book that inspired their bookmark masterpieces. Here’s what we found out:
Rori C., who is 3 years old, was inspired by the books Mr. Gumpy’s Outing and Mr. Gumpy’s Motorcar by John Burningham. These whimsical Mr. Gumpy books by English author and illustrator Burningham won a number of awards and tell tales of Mr. Gumpy’s adventures with friends of various species.
The winner of the 6- to 12-year age group, Samreen K., is a grade 5 student in Halton. Her bookmark design was inspired by Moriah Elizabeth, her favourite artist. Moriah Elizabeth is a popular young artist on YouTube, who demonstrates her innovative crafts such as a DIY hot glue gummy bear bowl and her tutorials for fixing and making over squishies (if you don’t have kids in your life, squishies are soft and squishable toys that have been popular for a few years).
Shannon B., the winner of the 13- to 17-year-old age group, is a grade 12 student in Halton, who was inspired by the book Waiting for the Magic by Patricia McLachlan. The story revolves around a young brother and sister dealing with the separation of their parents, and the four dogs and one cat their mother brings home after their father leaves. The magic lies in the ability to communicate with the pets; four-year-old Elinor is able to hear them immediately, but other family members must open their minds to the magic first. That magic, and the love between all of the family members (furry and human), is what brings about their happy ending.
Finally, the winner of the adult category, Hayley E., was inspired by the classic novel A Room with a View by E. M. Forster. Published in 1908, this book tells the story of Lucy, a middle-class English woman who is very much of her time and place. But when she travels to Italy with her cousin Charlotte, her worldview expands upon meeting the eccentric characters she meets at the place they are staying. Returning to England, Lucy finds herself torn between what is expected of her and what her heart is telling her to do.
The winning bookmarks have been professionally printed and are available for library customers to choose and take home, for as long as supplies last. And if you’re not familiar with any of the winners’ inspirations, consider checking those out as well!
