Toronto's Melanie Florence wins $30,000 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award

Toronto-based aboriginal writer Melanie Florence has won the $30,000 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award.

Florence, who is of Cree and Scottish heritage, was awarded the prize at a gala in Toronto on Thursday night for "Missing Nimama," illustrated by Francois Thisdale and published by Clockwise Press.

Her debut picture book tells the story of a young mother -- one of many missing indigenous women -- watching over her small daughter from afar as the girl experiences key milestones in her life.

The 12th annual award recognizes the most distinguished English-language children's book of the year, and is one of the largest prizes in Canadian children's literature.

The winner of the $5,000 TD Fan Choice Award is "The Nest" by Toronto-based Kenneth Oppel, who was born in Port Alberni, B.C.

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  The cover of "Missing Nimama", written by Melanie Florence and illustrated by Francois Thisdale, is shown in this handout image. (HO/The Canadian Press)