author – Page 217 – Tundra Book Group

April 9, 2013May 7, 2025

Tuesdays with Tundra 28

Tuesdays with Tundra is a monthly post on our new releases. The following books are available today in stores and online!

Nana’s Summer Surprise
Written by Heather Hartt-Sussman
Illustrated by Georgia Graham
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 4-6
ISBN: 978-1-77049-324-7
“…The artwork … is a lovely display of chalk pastel … the colors look like they are lit from within, giving a fairy-tale quality to the work.” – Kirkus Reviews

More first books for fledgling readers that offer the enjoyment of a good story with the thrill of accomplishment that comes from independent reading. Written in short, easy phrases with carefully selected vocabulary and plentiful illustrations, each book helps youngsters achieve success as they have fun.

The series follows three friends who love to share stories. In each book, one is reminded of a well-known story:
It’s Not About the Ball! is based on The Frog Prince;
It’ Not About the Tiny Girl! is based on Thumbelina;
It’s Not About the Diamonds! is based on the story of Diamonds and Toads;
It’s Not About the Straw! is based on Rumpelstiltskin and
It’s Not About the Beanstalk! is based on Jack and the Beanstalk.

As one friend starts his story, the others are reminded of versions they know so each volume has three stories within one framework. The stories come from around the world, and Veronika Martenova Charles provides a note at the end of each book to describe the origins.

Easy-to-Read Wonder Tales are a great first step in developing a lifelong love of reading, and it makes a fine companion to Veronika Martenova Charles’s series, Easy-to-Read Spooky Tales.

Pub Date Giveaway: In the comments below, please tell us which new April release of Tundra’s you would love to read (the Easy-to-Read Wonder Tales count as one entry) and one lucky reader will receive their requested book(s)! One request per person and please review our rules. This giveaway ends at midnight on Monday, April 15, 2013!

Update: Congratulations to Laurie who will be getting the Easy-to-Read Wonder Tales!

March 20, 2013May 7, 2025

You’re Invited to the Launch of Miss Mousie’s Blind Date

You are invited to the launch of Miss Mousie’s Blind Date. Please join the award-winning author and illustrator team, Tim Beiser and Rachel Berman, as they celebrate their second collaboration!

When: Saturday, April 6, 2013
Time: 2 pm to 4 pm
Where: I N G R A M G A L L E R Y
Address: 49 Avenue Road, Toronto, ON M5R 2G3
Telephone: 416-929-2220
RSVP: RSVPCanada@randomhouse.com

In addition, the artwork from Miss Mousie’s Blind Date will be exhibited at Ingram Gallery from April 6-18, 2013.

Praise for Miss Mousie’s Blind Date:

“…Beiser’s playful rhymes ferry us merrily along to the tale’s satisfying resolution. Realizing they’re both pretending to be something they’re not, Miss Mousie calls a truce, which the mole accepts on bended knee, proposing, ‘If you’ll be you, then I’ll be me.’ Beiser and illustrator Rachel Berman previously collaborated on the equally enchanting Governor General’s Literary Award finalist Bradley McGogg, the Very Fine Frog. Once again, Berman’s formally attired creatures, their delicate hands and oversized heads rendered in muted tones, show Beatrix Potter’s influence in the best possible way. This is an utterly charming book and a gentle introduction to the lifelong perils of spring fever.” – Starred Review, Quill & Quire

“…Beiser’s sprightly text has warmth, heart and a valuable lesson. Berman’s pictures, in watercolor and gouache on rag, suggest Beatrix Potter, ably matching the crisp elegance of the story.” – Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews

“…The perfect collaboration of Tim Beiser and Rachel Berman takes Miss Mousie from crushing on the handsome rat to despairing over his disregard for her and finally to delight, with an ending that will please even those too young to know the pangs of first love but will understand the value of being oneself.” – CanLit for LittleCanadians

March 14, 2013May 7, 2025

The BC Book Prizes Finalists

The West Coast Book Prize Society has announced the finalists for the 2013 BC Book Prizes. The BC Book Prizes, established in 1985, celebrate the achievements of British Columbia writers. Congratulations to our authors and illustrators:

Finalist, Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize
The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen
Written by Susin Nielsen
Hardcover | 256 Pages
Ages 10 and up
ISBN: 978-1-77049-372-8
eBook: 978-1-77049-373-5
“…With fully developed adult and child characters and a solid sense of middle school humor, the author has crafted an insightful and nuanced novel about bullying and suicide, and familial love and resilience.” – Starred, School Library Journal

Finalist, Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize
Hey Canada!
Written by Vivien Bowers
Illustrated by Milan Pavlovic
Hardcover | 72 Pages
Ages 7-10 years
ISBN: 978-1-77049-255-4
“This is probably the best Canadian travel book written for pre-teens…. Filled with facts, simply related history, engaging tales and colour illustrations presented as souvenirs, postcards and slides, Wow Canada! is guaranteed to stimulate a youngster’s urge to explore the country.” – The Globe and Mail

The 28th Annual BC Book Prizes awards gala will be held on Saturday, May 4 at Government House in Victoria. Gala tickets include a sit down dinner and an open bar and will be available for purchase online on the BC Book Prize website beginning March 19th. For more information, please visit www.bcbookprizes.ca.

March 13, 2013May 7, 2025

2013 Willow Award Nominations

The Saskatchewan Young Readers’ Choice Award (SYRCA) has three awards-the Shining Willow Award, kindergarten to grade 3; the Diamond Willow Award, grades 4 to 6; and the Snow Willow Award, grades 7 to 9. Ten books written by Canadian authors are nominated at each level. We are happy to announce the following Tundra nominations for the 2013 Willow Awards:

Shining Willow:
Here Comes Hortense!
Written by Heather Hartt-Sussman
Illustrated by Georgia Graham
Hardcover | 32 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-221-9
What could be more fun for a six-year-old than having your nana and her new husband take you to a theme park? But Nana and Bob announce that they’ve planned a surprise: they are going to be joined by Bob’s granddaughter, Hortense. It turns out to be the worst surprise ever.

Diamond Willow:
A Tinfoil Sky
Written by Cyndi Sand-Eveland
Hardcover | 224 Pages
Pub Date: January 2012
ISBN: 978-1-77049-277-6
eBook: 978-1-77049-294-3
Twelve-year-old Mel and her mother Cecily live in poverty, and eventually end up homeless. When Cecily is jailed, Mel must live with her grandmother Gladys, who is very distrustful. Mel is determined to beat incredible odds and steer her own destiny, but she has some tough decisions to make.

Snow Willow:
The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larson
Written by Susin Nielsen
Hardcover | 256 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-372-8
eBook: 978-1-77049-373-5
Henry’s family is trying to put back the pieces of their lives, after the worst-case bully scenario leaves them each shattered in their own way. Henry tries to keep his past a secret, and his new group of oddball friends help him navigate the waters of life after “IT”.

Congratulations to our authors!

In 2011, over 13,000 children and young adults throughout the province voted for their favourite book. That same year, Dear George Clooney, Please Marry My Mom by Susin Nielsen won the Snow Willow Award.

Students are still in the process of voting for the 2012 awards. Award winners will be announced in April at the annual Gala. Tundra’s 2012 Shining Willow nominees include Ella May and the Wishing Stone by Cary Fagan, illustrated by GeneviÃ¨ve CÃ´té and In the Bag! by Monica Kulling, illustrated by David Parkins.

For more information, please visit www.willowawards.ca.

March 12, 2013May 7, 2025

Tuesdays with Tundra 27

Tuesdays with Tundra is a monthly post on our new releases. The following books are available today in stores and online!

Mister Dash and the Cupcake Calamity
Written by Monica Kulling
Illustrated by EsperanÃ§a Melo
Format: Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 3-6
ISBN: 978-1-77049-396-4
Mr. Dash may not have a pedigree (he can count five different breeds of dogs as family), but from his furry head to his wagging tail, he is a gentleman. His fine manners make him a perfect companion to Madame Croissant. Their life together is graceful and civilized, what with walks in the park, stamp-collecting, and a passion for flowers. Mr. Dash is also in charge of delivering Madame Croissant’s world-famous cupcakes. All is well until Daphne, Madame Croissant’s rather lively niece, arrives to turn the cupcake world upside down.

Beyond the Moongate
True Stories of 1920s China
Written by Elizabeth Quan
Hardcover | 40 Pages | Ages 6-8
ISBN: 978-1-77049-383-4
eBook: 978-1-77049-382-7
“Anecdotal paintings and reminiscences of two childhood years spent in China, by an artist now in her 90s … Quan recalls 17 experiences or incidents during the stay…. It’s a sunny picture, but there are references to the real dangers of pirates and brigands, as well as a comment about the author’s beloved Popo (grandmother) walking to church on bound feet. These, along with a final parting made particularly poignant … warm, humorous and engaging overall.” – Kirkus Reviews

The Dragon Turn
The Boy Sherlock Holmes , His 5th Case
Written by Shane Peacock
Trade Paperback | 256 Pages | Ages 10-14
ISBN: 978-1-77049-411-4
“…The Dragon Turn is a wonderful book. I think its target audience will love it for its adventure, mystery and characters, and, as an older reader, I enjoyed it for the way Peacock wrote Sherlock Holmes.” – Literary Treats

Pub Date Giveaway: In the comments below, please tell us which new March release of Tundra’s you would love to read and one lucky reader will receive their requested book! One request per person and please review our rules. This giveaway ends at midnight on Monday, March 18, 2013!