Annick Press

Annick Press is a Canadian independent book-publishing company focused on literature for children and young adults. The company was founded in Toronto, Ontario, in 1975 by Anne Millyard and Rick Wilks. From its early years, the press developed a catalogue spanning picture books, illustrated nonfiction, middle-grade fiction, and young-adult literature rather than concentrating on a single age band or format. Its list has included work by Canadian and international authors and illustrators, with an emphasis on books intended for children, families, educators, libraries, and schools. The company’s publishing programme includes both fiction and nonfiction and has historically released approximately thirty new titles a year. Its catalogue has included books for beginning readers and younger children as well as more complex novels and topical works for teenagers. Annick Press has been associated with authors and creators including Priscilla Galloway, K. V. Johansen, Robert Munsch, Bill Richardson, Roslyn Schwartz, and Kathy Stinson. These publishing relationships have connected the press with picture-book series, humorous writing, literary fiction, educational material, and books addressing the experiences of children and young people. The business expanded beyond its original Toronto base when a second editorial office was opened in Vancouver in 1999 under Colleen MacMillan. Rick Wilks became the company’s sole owner in 2000. The two-office structure supported Annick Press’s role as a Canadian publisher while maintaining access to authors, illustrators, and publishing networks in different parts of the country. Several Annick Press titles have received significant recognition. The illustrated picture book The Man With the Violin, written by Kathy Stinson and illustrated by Dušan Petričić, won the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award in 2014. Mattland, written by Hazel Hutchins and Gail Hébert and illustrated by Dušan Petričić, won the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator’s Award in 2009. Leslie’s Journal by Allan Stratton was selected for the American Library Association’s Best Books for Young Adults list. The company has also published the Mole Sisters books by Roslyn Schwartz, which were later adapted into a television programme, and Kathy Stinson’s The Bare Naked Book, originally published in 1986 and reissued in 2021 with updated illustrations by Melissa Cho. Annick Press participates in the Canadian publishing ecosystem through membership in organizations including the Association of Canadian Publishers, the Organization of Book Publishers of Ontario, and IBBY Canada. It has also been included in the Canadian government’s Read Up On It programme through Library and Archives Canada. These affiliations reflect the press’s role in Canadian children’s literature and literacy initiatives. Annick Press remains a privately held, active publisher whose identity is closely tied to independently produced books for younger readers and young adults.

Annick Press was established in Toronto, Ontario, in 1975 by Anne Millyard and Rick Wilks. It entered the Canadian publishing field as an independent press specializing in books for children and young adults. Rather than limiting itself to one format, the company developed a list that included picture books, illustrated nonfiction, children's fiction, middle-grade literature, and young-adult novels. Its catalogue has consequently served several overlapping audiences: young readers, parents, schools, libraries, and general booksellers. The press's publishing programme has included approximately thirty fiction and nonfiction titles in a typical year. Over time, Annick Press became associated with a range of Canadian writers and illustrators, including Priscilla Galloway, K. V. Johansen, Robert Munsch, Bill Richardson, Roslyn Schwartz, and Kathy Stinson. Their work illustrates the breadth of the list, which has covered humorous books, literary fiction, picture-book series, educational subjects, and stories dealing with the experiences of children and adolescents. A significant organizational development occurred in 1999, when a second editorial office opened in Vancouver under Colleen MacMillan. The Vancouver presence complemented the company’s original Toronto operation and broadened its editorial reach within Canada. In 2000, Rick Wilks became Annick Press’s sole owner. The company continued to operate as an independent Canadian publisher rather than as an identified imprint of a larger publishing conglomerate. Recognition for Annick Press titles has included major Canadian literary and illustration awards. Mattland, written by Hazel Hutchins and Gail Hébert and illustrated by Dušan Petričić, won the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator’s Award in 2009. The Man With the Violin, written by Kathy Stinson and illustrated by Dušan Petričić, won the TD Children’s Literature Award in 2014. Allan Stratton’s Leslie’s Journal was included on the American Library Association’s Best Books for Young Adults list. The press has also published enduring children’s properties, including Roslyn Schwartz’s Mole Sisters books, which were adapted for television, and Kathy Stinson’s The Bare Naked Book, originally released in 1986 and reissued in 2021 with revised illustrations by Melissa Cho. Annick Press operates within the broader Canadian book and literacy network. It is identified as a member of the Association of Canadian Publishers, the Organization of Book Publishers of Ontario, and IBBY Canada. The press was also included in the Canadian government’s Read Up On It programme through Library and Archives Canada. These affiliations and initiatives place the company within national efforts to support reading, children’s literature, and Canadian publishing. Publicly available reference material does not establish a current annual revenue figure, employee count, or detailed ownership structure beyond Rick Wilks’s ownership. The company is described as an active Canadian publisher.

1. 2021The Bare Naked Book is reissued

   The Bare Naked Book returns in a new edition featuring updated illustrations by Melissa Cho.

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2. 2014The Man With the Violin wins the TD Children’s Literature Award

   The Man With the Violin wins the TD Children’s Literature Award.

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3. 2009Mattland wins an illustration award

   Mattland receives the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator’s Award from the Canadian Library Association.

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4. 2000Rick Wilks becomes sole owner

   Rick Wilks becomes the sole owner of Annick Press.

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5. 1999Vancouver editorial office opens

   Annick Press opens a second editorial office in Vancouver under Colleen MacMillan.

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6. 1986The Bare Naked Book is first published

   Kathy Stinson’s The Bare Naked Book is originally published by Annick Press.

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7. 1975Annick Press is founded in Toronto

   Anne Millyard and Rick Wilks establish Annick Press as a Canadian publisher focused on books for children and young adults.

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An independent Canadian children's and young-adult publisher with a broad fiction and nonfiction list, serving both trade and educational reading markets.

• The Man With the ViolinPicture book

  A picture book written by Kathy Stinson and illustrated by Dušan Petričić. The title received the TD Children’s Literature Award in 2014, making it one of the most prominently recognized books in Annick Press’s catalogue.

• The Bare Naked BookChildren's nonfiction picture book1986

  Kathy Stinson’s children’s book, first published in 1986 and later reissued in 2021 with updated illustrations by Melissa Cho. It is an established Annick Press title with a revised-edition history spanning several decades.

• Mole Sisters booksPicture-book series

  A series created by Roslyn Schwartz and published by Annick Press. The Mole Sisters books became a notable children’s property and were subsequently adapted into a television programme.

• MattlandIllustrated children's book

  A book written by Hazel Hutchins and Gail Hébert and illustrated by Dušan Petričić. Its recognition with the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator’s Award in 2009 reflects the importance of visual storytelling in Annick Press’s list.

• Leslie's JournalYoung-adult fiction

  A young-adult title by Allan Stratton that was selected for the American Library Association’s Best Books for Young Adults list.

• 2021Reissue of The Bare Naked Book with updated illustrationsGeneration change

  The Bare Naked Book had originally been published in 1986 and remained part of Annick Press’s children’s catalogue.

  What changed. Annick Press issued a new edition featuring updated illustrations by Melissa Cho.

  Aftermath. The reissue extended the availability of an established title for a newer generation of readers.

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• 2021The Bare Naked Book is reissued with updated illustrations

  Annick Press reissued Kathy Stinson’s The Bare Naked Book, first published in 1986, with updated illustrations by Melissa Cho.

  Product generationProduct launch
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• 2014The Man With the Violin wins the TD Children’s Literature Award

  The Man With the Violin, written by Kathy Stinson and illustrated by Dušan Petričić, received the TD Children’s Literature Award.

  Other
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• 2009Mattland receives the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator’s Award

  Mattland, written by Hazel Hutchins and Gail Hébert and illustrated by Dušan Petričić, won the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator’s Award from the Canadian Library Association.

  Other
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1. Annick Press
2. Annick Press official website