Maurice Vellekoop wins Trillium Book Award for graphic memoir
TORONTO - Illustrator Maurice Vellekoop has won Ontario's top literary award for his graphic memoir 'I'm So Glad We Had This Time Together.'
Ontario Creates announced Vellekoop as the winner of the $20,000 Trillium Book Award at a gala dinner in Toronto on Wednesday night.
The autobiographical project tells the story of Vellekoop's early life, growing up outside Toronto as the gay son of devoutly Christian Dutch immigrants.
Jake Byrne took home the $10,000 Trillium Book Award for Poetry at the same ceremony for their collection 'Daddy,' which explores patriarchy and queer desire.
The French-language book award went to Aristote Kavungu for 'Céline au Congo.'
The French-language children's literature prize was given to 'Le bonnet magique' by Mireille Messier.
The Trillium Book Awards are handed out annually by Ontario Creates, an agency of the provincial government.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 18, 2025.
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