books Archives - Page 255 of 260

September 21, 2009September 29, 2009

Launch of: Bird Child

Nan Forler celebrated the launch of her debut picture book, Bird Child, on Saturday, September 19, 2009. The book launch was held at The Great Hall in Conrad Grebel University College from 2-4pm. Have a look at all the Bird Child related activities from the launch in our gallery below:

For more photos from the event, please visit our facebook page. Thank you to Tricia and Bronwyn of Words Worth Books for attending and selling copies of the book at the event. Also, many thanks to Nan’s family and friends, all the volunteers, the dancers, and the musicians!

“Magical and ethereal do not typically describe tales of bullying, but this lyrical combination of realism and fantasy defies expectation…. The complex images and constantly shifting visual perspective perfectly match the ambiguous nature of the text. This is a beautiful book with a somber tone, buoyed by Eliza and Lainey’s triumph in imagining possibilities. They do not fight the bully, but defy him by becoming friends.” – School Library Journal

On Saturday, October 3, Nan Forler will be reading at The Freckled Lion bookstore during a special story time at 10:30am.
On Saturday, November 14, Nan Forler will be reading at McNally Robinson Booksellers at 3:00pm.
On Tuesday, November 17, Nan Forler will be reading at the Toronto Public Library’s Locke Branch at 2:00pm.

September 19, 2009August 22, 2014

Talk Like a Pirate Day

Y’arrr! Today be International Talk Like a Pirate Day! Here are some treasures for ye!

A Thousand Years of Pirates
Written and illustrated by William Gilkerson
ISBN 978-0-88776-924-5
Ages 10+ | 96 Pages | Hardcover
Governor General’s Award-winning author and artist William Gilkerson has spent years researching and painting their colorful history. From the terrible Black Beard to the fascinating Granuaile, or Grace O’Malley as the English called her, they have come to life under his brush. One can almost hear the creak of timbers, the snap of canvas while turning the pages. This gift book is a rich treasure in its own right.

Kidnapped
Adapted by Alan Grant
Illustrated by Cam Kennedy
ISBN 978-0-88776-843-9
Ages 10+ | 64 Pages | Paperback
This new adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Kidnapped, the dramatic and epic adventure story about a seventeen-year-old desperate to secure his inheritance, brings together two creative giants from the world of graphic novels — the absolute “dream team” of artist Cam Kennedy and scriptwriter Alan Grant.

The Ancient Ocean Blues
Written by Jack Mitchell
ISBN 978-0-88776-832-3
Ages 10-13 | 200 Pages | Paperback
Anyone who thinks ancient history is dry will think again after dipping into these ocean blues. Here, political corruption, intrigue, high-seas adventure, romance, and comedy are all presented in abundance by the likable Marcus Oppius Sabinus, a teenager with a very contemporary attitude. Marcus is unwittingly involved by his cousin in “promoting” the ambitious young Julius Caesar in an upcoming Roman election. Given very little choice but to accept his assignment, Marcus travels to Greece, but not before he is sidelined by shipwreck, enslavement, and pirate attack. Oh, yes, and the beginnings of love.

X Doesn’t Mark the Spot: Tales of Pirate Gold, Buried Treasure, and Lost Riches
Written by Ed Butts
ISBN 978-0-88776-808-8
Ages 11+ | 88 Pages | Paperback
Ed Butts’s tales of adventure, of shattered hopes, and, occasionally, of dreams come true expose the greed and the challenges that motivated the searchers. A few of them got lucky. But X didn’t mark the spot for most of these adventurers — and that means undiscovered treasures still lie ready to ignite the imagination.

Jacob Two-Two on the High Seas
Written by Cary Fagan
Illustrated by Dušan Petričić
ISBN 978-0-88776-895-8
Ages 8-11 | 128 Pages | Hardcover
He’s back! After Jacob Two-Two’s father writes a very important novel, the family makes plans to move to Canada. They board the SS Spring-a-Leak for a journey across the ocean. But something is wrong on the SS Spring-a-Leak. Will the intrepid Shapiro and the fearless O’Toole really be left on a desert island? Will Jacob Two-Two be made to walk the plank? Jacob Two-Two on the High Seas is a treat for those who know Jacob and for those who are about to meet one of the most endearing characters in children’s literature.

September 9, 2009September 15, 2009

Guest Post: Michael Mazo and Michael Soloviov

Do you remember the previous guest post by Michael Mazo and Michael Soloviov? Well now we have a behind-the-scenes look at how the author and illustrator collaborated!

Finding inspiration from The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, author Michael Mazo and illustrator Michael Soloviov created their own version of Robert Ford vs. Jesse James. In their adaptation, Julius the Elder and William the Upstart, are the two characters from their debut picture book Brothers.

Michael Mazo: So the illustration that I kindly wanted Mr. Soloviov to create was like this one. As you can see I’ve been taking art classes. One of the dogs is raising his paws in victory. The other is on his knees in defeat. It’s an old western town. It’s meant to look like a gunfight, like the gunfight in Back to the Future 3:

MM: I really wanted Julius to show the utter agony of defeat (like a defeated athlete on his knees). Mr. Soloviov replied with, “Oh yeah, Mike, so you’ve seen a lot of dogs on their knees?” But he is a magician and can do anything. This was the first draft:

MM: I only asked for one correction: to make our hero’s stomachs bigger and stuff their cheeks (especially William because he is the winner):

MM: And this is the final illustration. The only corrections I asked for were to dress the dogs (and put bones where guns would go) and add some hay rolling across the street like in a movie:

MM: And then I kindly asked Mr. Soloviov to take the text I wrote and make it look like it came from an old newspaper. You can see the result by clicking here and click here to view the original New York Times story about Jesse James.

September 4, 2009September 4, 2009

It’s a Snap! Podcast

On this day in 1888, George Eastman registered the trademark Kodak. Click HERE to listen to the podcast of It’s a Snap! on “Just One More Book!”

Just One More Book! is a thrice-weekly internet radio program which promotes and celebrates literacy and great children’s books. Each weekday morning, we take a few minutes out of our morning coffee ritual to discuss one of our many favourite children’s books. We also feature weekly interviews with authors, illustrators and experts and enthusiasts in the areas of children’s literature and literacy as well as listener-submitted book reviews.

After 3+ years and more than 600 episodes of free and fervent praise for publishing products and personalities, our completely sponsorship-free Just One More Book! online radio program and related site has built up a strong and faithful following of librarians, teachers, literacy advocates, publishers and parents.

Busy parents and educators can now discover great read-aloud children’s books while they are busy doing the many tasks that would otherwise rob them of the opportunity to research great children’s books in more traditional ways.

Thank you to Andrea and Mark for their review of It’s a Snap! and for all their hard work in maintaining “Just One More Book!” Click here to listen to previous podcasts of Tundra’s books. You can even follow them on twitter for updates.

It’s a Snap!
George Eastman’s First Photograph
Written by Monica Kulling
Illustrated by Bill Slavin
ISBN 978-88776-881-1
Hardcover | 32 Pages
Ages 5-8

Monica Kulling’s spunky, playful text is beautifully complemented by the stunning pen-and-ink with watercolor illustrations of artist Bill Slavin. It’s a Snap! George Eastman’s First Photograph introduces a new series for Tundra — the Great Idea Series — a must-have for schools, libraries, and parents alike.

Book Launch:
Get snap happy! Join Monica Kulling and Bill Slavin on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at the Stephen Bulger Gallery/Camera Bar (Toronto, ON) from 7pm to 9pm. The author and illustrator will be happy to have their photos taken and to sign books.

August 20, 2009August 20, 2009

2009 Canadian Children’s Book Centre Awards

The finalists for the 2009 Canadian Children’s Book Centre Awards has been announced. Congratulations to Nicolas Debon, Cary Fagan, Jack Mitchell, Susin Nielsen, and Shane Peacock! The winners will be announced on November 3, 2009.

SHORT-LISTED FOR THE TD CANADIAN CHILDREN’S LITERATURE AWARD:

Death in the Air: The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His Second Case
Written by Shane Peacock
ISBN 978-0-88776-851-4
Ages 10-14

“This second installment of ‘The Boy Sherlock Holmes’ series maintains tension from beginning to end… Pacing is superb, great character development, breath-taking from beginning to end.” – The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC)

Thing-Thing
Written by Cary Fagan
Illustrated by Nicolas Debon
ISBN 978-0-88776-839-2
Ages 4-7

“A fresh and charming book about a spoiled child and an unloved toy thrown out the window… The quirky gouache and collage illustrations offer a sense of speed and uncanny stories on each floor… A book to fall for.” – The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC)

Word Nerd
Written by Susin Nielsen
ISBN 978-0-88776-875-0
Ages 9+

“A humourous and cleverly written novel with likeable, unusual characters from the wrong side of the tracks… An original novel about regaining self confidence and trust.” – The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC)

SHORT-LISTED FOR THE MARILYN BAILLIE PICTURE BOOK AWARD:

Thing-Thing
Written by Cary Fagan
Illustrated by Nicolas Debon
ISBN 978-0-88776-839-2
Ages 4-7

“This unique story of Thing-Thing’s fall from the sixth floor of the Excelsior Hotel becomes a slow-motion vehicle for a touching and funny contemplation of life and love from a host of characters inspired by his fleeting image.” – The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC)

SHORT-LISTED FOR THE GEOFFREY BILSON AWARD FOR HISTORICAL FICTION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE:

The Ancient Ocean Blues
Written by Jack Mitchell
ISBN 978-0-88776-832-3
Ages 10-13

“A fast-paced spoof on Greek tales… Laugh-out-loud funny with great characters… A new take on the old classics… This book is original, delightful and engaging.” – The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC)