Month: November 2013

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Guest Post: Lorna Schultz Nicholson

From November 21 to 24, hockey players from across Canada, the United States, Finland, and Mexico came together for some team competition. Lorna Schultz Nicholson, the author of the Puckster series, went to cheer them on and celebrate!

Lorna Schultz Nicholson: Girls can and do play hockey! Over 62 teams and 1,100 players took part in Wickfest 2013 at WinSport in Calgary, Alberta. There were 150 games played in three short days. Olympic medalist, Hayley Wickenheiser, the tournament organizer was on hand the entire weekend to meet and greet. As well as running a top notch tournament, she put on her skates to give seminars to help others improve their skills. This year she had Bryan Trottier, Danielle Goyette, and Caroline Ouellette on the ice for the skills sessions. Also this year, the tournament had two international teams attend and girls flew in from Mexico City, (yes, Mexico has girls hockey and they were so excited, especially when they won a game and when they got their Puckster books) and Finland. When Hayley played in the men’s league in Finland she billeted with a family who had a little girl. Well, that girl now plays hockey so they flew overseas to play in the tournament.

I was thrilled to be on hand to sign Puckster books at the autograph session with other members of our Canadian Olympic Team. Of course, Puckster stole the show and was asked to pose for many photographs!

Lorna Schultz Nicholson
From left to right – Meghan Agosta-Marciano, Genevieve Lacasse, Jennifer Wakefield, Shannon Szabados, Hayley Wickenheiser, me, Laura Fortino, Lauriane Rougeau, Melodie Daoust, Vicki Bendas, and in front is artist Zinour Fathoullin.

Lorna Schultz Nicholson
Here I am with Genevieve Lacasse (blue) and Jennifer Wakefield (green). They love the Puckster books!

Lorna Schultz Nicholson
Look at the line-ups! Young girls waited over an hour to meet their heroes.

Lorna Schultz Nicholson
Puckster says hello!

Lorna Schultz Nicholson
I’m signing Puckster books and then the books were signed by the players!

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Invitation to the Little Chicken Duck Book Launch

LittleChickenDuck_booklaunch
Please join Tim Beiser and Bill Slavin in celebrating the launch of their newest book, Little Chicken Duck.

When: Sunday, December 1, 2013
Time: 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Where: Type Books
Address: 883 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M6J 1G3‎

Little Chicken DuckLittle Chicken Duck
Written by Tim Beiser
Illustrated by Bill Slavin
Hardcover | 24 Pages | Ages 3-7
ISBN: 978-1-77049-392-6
And so begins the charming story of Little Chicken Duck, whose fear of water prevents her from learning to swim. Taken under Froggie’s wing, she is brought into the forest clearing, where each of the birds, in turn, confesses their deepest fear and how they came to terms with it. This heartwarming tale in rhyme is lovingly illustrated by the playful, enchanting illustrations by artist Bill Slavin.

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We Remember

elephants

“Poppa,” I whisper, “why are you crying?”
“I am remembering,” he says. “A war is something you never forget.”
“Elephants never forget,” I tell him.
“Then let’s be elephants,” he says.
A soft rain falls as a bugler trumpets his notes up into the cold, gray sky. We link our hands and bow our heads.

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The Canadian Toy Testing Council’s Great Books

Canadian Toy Testing CouncilThe Canadian Toy Testing Council (CTTC), the leading authority on toys in Canada, has used its evaluation process to select Great Books for Children by Canadian creators and publishers. The books range from picture books to novels to non-fiction or science-based fact books. The diversity of titles shows that there are books available to appeal to every child!

CANADIAN TOY TESTING COUNCIL
TOY REPORT 2014 AWARD-WINNING BOOKS
GREAT BOOKS

The Pocket MommyThe Pocket Mommy
Written by Rachel Eugster
Illustrated by Tom Goldsmith
ISBN 978-1-77049-300-1
Ages 3+
“When a pocket-sized mommy joins him in kindergarten, Sammy actually discovers his independence. Children can relate to the story about missing mommy and appreciate the detailed, humorous illustrations. Parents find this a helpful story for children starting school or a new activity.”

JoJo the GiantJoJo the Giant
Written by Jane Barclay
Illustrated by Esperanca Melo
ISBN: 978-0-88776-976-4
Ages 4+
“This uplifting story about determination and compassion can inspire children to have faith in themselves and look beyond their shortcomings. Children enjoy the expressive, colourful illustrations, the text’s appealing language, and the surprise twist at the end.”

In the BagIn the Bag! Margaret Knight Wraps It Up
Written by Monica Kulling
Illustrated by David Parkins
ISBN 978-1-77049-239-4
Ages 5-7
“This story about the inventor Margaret Knight is a tale of perseverance and ingenuity. Children, especially young girls, are inspired by a young woman who did things others women could not do, who understood things others said women could not know. Readers also appreciated the detailed illustrations and accessible story, while parents liked the book’s educational quality.”

Hey CanadaHey Canada!
Written by Vivien Bowers
Illustrated by Milan Pavlovic
ISBN 978-1-77049-255-4
Ages 7-10
“Explore Canada from coast to coast to coast with this colorfully illustrated book that mixes photographs, comic strips, narrative and social media. Readers liked the humorous approach to information about Canada’s diverse geography, history, nature, etc. A great resource to understand this country better in an entertaining and accessible way.”

For the full list of Great Books, please click here!

CANADIAN TOY TESTING COUNCIL
TOY REPORT 2014 AWARD-WINNING BOOKS
RECOMMENDED READS

  • My Achy Body by Liza Fromer and Francine Gerstein, illustrated by Joe Weissmann
  • My Messy Body by Liza Fromer and Francine Gerstein, illustrated by Joe Weissmann
  • My Noisy Body by Liza Fromer and Francine Gerstein, illustrated by Joe Weissmann
  • My Stretchy Body by Liza Fromer and Francine Gerstein, illustrated by Joe Weissmann
  • Checkers and Dot at the Beach by J. Torres, illustrated by J. Lum
  • Checkers and Dot on the Farm by J. Torres, illustrated by J. Lum
  • Creatures Great and Small by Karen Patkau
  • Creatures Yesterday and Today by Karen Patkau
  • Ella May and the Wishing Stone by Cary Fagan, illustrated by Geneviève Côté
  • Here Comes Hortense! by Heather Hartt-Sussman, illustrated by Georgia Graham
  • Hockey 123 by Christopher Jordan
  • Hockey ABC by Christopher Jordan
  • Hockey Colours by Christopher Jordan
  • Hockey Opposites by Christopher Jordan
  • It’s Not About the Ball! by Veronika Martenova Charles, illustrated by David Parkins
  • It’s Not About the Beanstalk! by Veronika Martenova Charles, illustrated by David Parkins
  • It’s Not About the Straw! by Veronika Martenova Charles, illustrated by David Parkins
  • Man Overboard! by Curtis Parkinson
  • Nana’s Summer Surprise by Heather Hartt-Sussman, illustrated by Georgia Graham
  • Nini by François Thisdale
  • Noni Is Nervous by Heather Hartt-Sussman, illustrated by Geneviève Côté
  • Puckster’s First Hockey Game by Lorna Schultz Nicholson, illustrated by Kelly Findley
  • Puckster’s First Hockey Sweater by Lorna Schultz Nicholson, illustrated by Kelly Findley
  • Spot the Difference by Tak Bui
  • The French Fry King by Rogé
  • Where Do You Look? by Marthe Jocelyn and Nell Jocelyn
  • Who Needs an Iceberg? by Karen Patkau
  • Who Needs an Jungle? by Karen Patkau
  • Winterberries and Apple Blossoms by Nan Forler, illustrated by Peter Etril Snyder

For the complete list of Recommended Reads, please click here.

Tundra Book Group