Groundwood Books and Annick Press have been shortlisted for the Bologna Prize for Best Children’s Publisher of the Year, a new award created in celebration of Bologna Children’s Book Fair’s 50th anniversary.

The Toronto-based publishers are two of 29 finalists for the inaugural prize, which honours “publishers at the forefront of innovation in their activity for the creative nature of the editorial choices they have made,” the book fair website says.

Between four and five finalists from six geographical regions ” Asia, Africa, Central-South America, Europe, North America, and Oceania ” were selected by international publishing industry insiders.

The winners will be chosen by publishing houses participating in the book fair and announced March 26.