author – Page 206 – Tundra Book Group

November 25, 2013May 7, 2025

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!

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.

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

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

Puckster says hello!

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

November 20, 2013May 7, 2025

Invitation to the Little Chicken Duck Book Launch

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 1G3â€Ž

Little 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.

November 11, 2013May 7, 2025

We Remember

“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.

November 6, 2013May 7, 2025

The Canadian Toy Testing Council’s Great Books

The 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 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 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 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 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 GeneviÃ¨ve CÃ´té
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 FranÃ§ois Thisdale
Noni Is Nervous by Heather Hartt-Sussman, illustrated by GeneviÃ¨ve CÃ´té
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.

October 25, 2013May 7, 2025

2013 Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award

The winners were announced on Tuesday night for the 2013 Canadian Children’s Literature Awards. Tundra is extremely happy to tell you that we took home the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award, an award that honours excellence in the illustrated picture book format, for children aged 3 to 8. Congratulations to Cary Fagan and DuÅ¡an PetriÄiÄ‡!

Mr. Zinger’s Hat
Written by Cary Fagan
Illustrated by DuÅ¡an PetriÄiÄ‡
“A charming, marvelous tale surrounding the art of creating and telling stories, Mr. Zinger’s Hat celebrates the budding friendship between an elderly writer and a young boy who discovers a storyteller within … Fagan’s writing is beautifully crafted. The exchanges between his protagonists are so vivid that one feels as if one is eavesdropping in on a real conversation … PetriÄiÄ‡’s engaging artwork deftly juxtaposes two distinct styles which portray a real-life setting and an imaginary world … The illustrations vividly depict the storyteller’s wry humour and the boy’s wide-eyed innocence.”

Many thanks to the jury memebers: Lorraine Filyer, former Literature Officer, Ontario Arts Council; Todd Kyle, CEO, Newmarket Public Library and President, Board of Directors, Canadian Children’s Book Centre; and Senta Ross, children’s book reviewer and former elementary teacher and teacher-librarian.

This year, TD Bank Group, sponsor of the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, partnered with CBC Books to present the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Fan Choice Award. Young readers were asked to pick their favourite book from the shortlisted TD Award titles in an online poll. Annaka Leib of Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan, was in attendance to present the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Fan Choice Award to Polly Horvath for her novel, One Year in Coal Harbour. The other winners were:

TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award
One Year in Coal Harbour written by Polly Horvath

Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction
Kids of Kabul: Living Bravely Through a Never-Ending War written by Deborah Ellis

Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People
The Lynching of Louie Sam written by Elizbeth Stewart

John Spray Mystery Award
The Lynching of Louie Sam written by Elizbeth Stewart

Monica Hughes Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy
Seraphina written by Rachel Hartman

Congratulations to all the authors and we have photos from the ceremony on Instagram!