2012 Book of the Year for Children Award Shortlist

The Canadian Library Association has announced the shortlist for the 2012 Book of the Year for Children Award. This award recognizes a Canadian author of an outstanding book published in Canada in 2011, which appeals to children up to and including age 12.

This year, the committee was presented with 218 books, of which 32 were ultimately long‐listed for a thorough reading and review!

Tundra would like to congratulate the authors and illustrator for being on the 2012 CLA Book of the Year for Children Award shortlist:

From Then to Now
A Short History of the World
Written by Christopher Moore
Illustrated by Andrej Krystoforski
Hardcover | 192 pages | Ages 10+
ISBN: 978-0-88776-540-7
eBook: 978-1-77049-120-5
“Capably told and uniquely illustrated, From Then to Now explains how imaginative human cultures have produced an intellectually and socially dynamic world…. Far from a history of conquerors, this exceptional history of humanity is a breath of fresh air” – School Library Journal

The Dragon Turn
The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His Fifth Case
Written by Shane Peacock
Hardcover | 240 pages | Ages 10-14
ISBN: 978-1-77049-231-8
eBook: 978-1-77049-273-8
“…Shane Peacock delivers another intriguing novel exploring the boy detective…. His Sherlock is a penniless but resourceful young man living with an eccentric apothecary who encourages his curiosity and his powers of observation. In The Dragon Turn, he attempts to unravel the mystery of a magician’s illusion, which has apparently caused the death of a rival magician … the Canadian-made Sherlock has a real feeling for Victorian London.” – Winnipeg Free Press

The winners of the 2012 Book of the Year for Children Award and Honour Books will be announced prior to the Canadian Library Association National Conference. The award will be presented at the CLA National Conference and Trade Show at the Ottawa Convention Centre in Ottawa, Ontario on 31 May 2012.

Notable Books for a Global Society Book Award

Tundra Books would like to congratulate the co-authors of Five Thousand Years of Slavery, Marjorie Gann and Janet Willen! Their book has been selected as one of the 25 winning titles for the 2012 Notable Books for a Global Society Book Award!

Five Thousand Years of Slavery
Written by Marjorie Gann and Janet Willen
Hardcover | 176 pages
Ages: 11+
ISBN: 978-0-88776-914-6
eBook: 978-1-77049-151-9
Praise: “This well-researched global survey introduces readers to slavery practices, customs, suffering, uprisings, and revolts as well as antislavery efforts from ancient Greece and Rome to today’s world…. The authors promote global awareness and issue a call to action…. Informative documentary photos and factually rich sidebars enhance the text. A timeline lists pivotal moments from the rise of Sumerian cities to the 2001 Cocoa Protocol denouncing child labor on African cocoa plantations. This groundbreaking title brings the disturbing subject into historical and contemporary focus.” – Starred Review, School Library Journal

MARJORIE GANN, an educator for thirty years, has written language arts curricula, review articles on children’s literature, and sat on the jury for the Canadian Jewish Book Awards. She lives in Toronto with her husband and has two grown children.

JANET WILLEN has been a writer and editor for more than thirty years, working on publications ranging from remedial writing curricula to articles on health and safety. She holds a master’s degree in political philosophy from the New School for Social Research. Janet Willen lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, with her husband

About Notable Books for a Global Society
Annually, a committee of the Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group of the International Reading Association selects 25 outstanding trade books for enhancing student understanding of people and cultures throughout the world. The committee reviews books representing all genres intended for students K-12. The Mission of the Children´s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group is to promote the educational use of children’s books by focusing on recently published children’s literature, supportive professional books, issues relative to children’s literature, and current research findings.

OLA Best Bets 2011

Each year the OLA Best Bets Committee selects the top 10 Canadian picture books, fiction and non fiction for children and fiction for teens. The lists were announced at OLA Superconference today. Here are the Tundra titles that made the 2011 lists:

Non Fiction:

  • In the Bag! Margaret Knight Wraps it Up by Monica Kulling, illustrated by David Parkins
  • Honourable mention goes to the Body Works series by Liza Fromer and Francine Gerstein MD, illustrated by Joe Weissmann

Young Adult:

  • Honourable mention goes to First Descent by Pam Withers
  • Honourable mention goes to “Scribbling Women” by Marthe Jocelyn is a noteworthy title (there’s isn’t a nonfiction category)

Picture Book:

  • Honourable mention goes to Noni Says No by Heather Hartt-Sussman, illustrated by Geneviève Côté

Junior Fiction:

  • Honourable mention goes to Stones for My Father by Trilby Kent

Congratulations to our authors and illustrators!

2011 Governor General’s Literary Award Winner


Today, the Governor General’s Literary Award winners were announced at the Enwave Theatre at Harbourfront Centre.

Tundra is happy to announce that From Then to Now by Christopher Moore is the winner of the 2011 Governor General’s Literary Award in Children’s Literature – Text.

Congratulations to Christopher Moore!

From Then to Now
A Short History of the World

Written by Christopher Moore
Illustrated by Andrej Krystoforski
Hardcover | 192 Pages
Ages 10+
ISBN 978-0-88776-540-7
From Then to Now: A Short History of the World, by Christopher Moore, is a fascinating examination of the evolution of human civilization that is global in its span and inclusive in its outlook. The energetic narrative tells a story that rivals the very best fiction.” – Canada Council for the Arts

Top 10 Great Books For Children 2012

Congratulations to our authors and illustrators! The Canadian Toy Testing Council (CTTC) have listed the following Tundra books as some of the top ten “Great Books” for 2012:

Gunner: Hurricane Horse
By Judy Andrekson
illustrated by David Parkins
Trade Paperback | 104 Pages
Ages 8-11
ISBN: 978-0-88776-905-4
eBook: 978-1-77049-227-1
“…an emotional true story which educates readers about horses and reminds readers to be resilient during periods of hardship. Telling black and white illustrations decorate chapter headings, and a striking cover complements this well researched story. This newest book in the “True Horse Stories” series is a quick read and contains more humor than the first five books in the series. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book to a girl or a boy who is looking for the latest book about horses….” – Recommended, CM Magazine

Merci Mr. Dash!
By Monica Kulling
Illustrated by Esperança Melo
Hardcover | 32 Pages
Ages 3-6
ISBN: 978-0-88776-964-1
“…Brightly colored acrylic paintings show Mr. Dash at his best…. Generously sprinkled with easily understood French phrases, this well-paced portrait of patience and toleration ends with a satisfying nap by the fire and the promise of a quiet, Daphne-free day. Children will empathize with Daphne and Mr. Dash and perhaps gain an understanding of both positions. A good choice to generate discussion, this will appeal to energetic youngsters and dog lovers alike.” – Kirkus Reviews

A Night on the Town
By Caroline Merola
Hardcover | 32 Pages
Ages 3-6
ISBN: 978-1-77049-200-4
“… Caroline Merola’s bold illustrations saturate every page with colour and create a rich, expressive backdrop to the story. The narrative flows naturally, with light, playful dialogue and a lively pace that will make reading aloud a pleasure. Pickles McPhee and Martha made loveable, spirited heroines…. A Night on the Town is a good-natured, charmingly illustrated book – just the ticket for a vicarious nighttime romp.” – Quill & Quire

It’s Not about the Apple!
By Veronika Martenova Charles
Illustrated by David Parkins
Trade Paperback | 64 Pages
Ages 5-8
ISBN: 978-0-88776-955-9
eBook: 978-1-77049-215-8
“I really loved this book! It captures the story of Snow White from four different cultural perspectives, and each one pulled me away from the Walt Disney version in a delightful way … to read this text and experience Snow White from different cultural perspectives was completely refreshing…. The theme of this classic fairy tale remains the same, but the uniqueness presented from each culture adds great flavour to the original….” – Highly Recommended, CM Magazine

The other books on this year’s list are:

  • Not a Baby Anymore
  • Le meilleur endroit
  • The Loud Book
  • Kiss Me (I’m a Prince)
  • Savais-tu? Les corneilles!
  • Magalie Lance et compte

Congratulations to all!

Tundra Book Group