Tuesdays with Tundra 49
Tuesdays with Tundra is a monthly post on our new releases. The following books are available today in stores and online!
InvisiBill
Written by Maureen Fergus
Illustrated by DuÅ¡an PetriÄić
Hardcover | 40 Pages | Ages 5-9
ISBN: 978-1-77049-613-2
“InvisiBill is a brilliant portrayal of the frustrations that come with feeling young and powerless in everyday scenarios…. Fergus spins the situation into a lighthearted comedy without losing sight (pun maybe intended) of the story’s compassionate side…. InvisiBill is a book equal parts silly and humane.” – National Post
The Good Little Book
Written by Kyo Maclear
Illustrated by Marion Arbona
Hardcover | 40 Pages | Ages 5-9
ISBN: 978-1-77049-451-0
“Arbona presents a compelling, sequential, aerial view of a sullen child who nonetheless becomes fascinated by reading. Vivid, fantastical artwork augments the ensuing … sentences about book-induced trips to faraway places and varied emotions.” – Kirkus Reviews
Sonya’s Chickens
Written by Phoebe Wahl
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 4-8
ISBN: 978-1-77049-789-4
“A father’s thoughtful explanation provides a helpful perspective for a child’s loss…. There’s an old-fashioned feel to this simple story and its timeless illustrations, created with watercolor, collage, and colored pencil and reminiscent of Goodnight Moon in mood, design, and palette…. Both words and illustrations emphasize comfort and the security a family can provide…. A reassuring story about death in the natural world, thoughtfully designed and illustrated.” – Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews
The Bambino and Me
Written by Zachary Hyman
Illustrated by Zachary Pullen
Trade Paperback | 48 Pages | Ages 6-9
ISBN: 978-1-77049-628-6
“The tale is entirely fictional, but it manages to capture the essence of that extraordinary time and the larger-than-life persona that was Babe Ruth. Hyman invests George’s voice with boyish enthusiasm and conversational language filled with contemporary syntax. Pullen’s oddly proportioned, compelling illustrations, rendered in oil paint and walnut oil, are in perfect tandem with the nostalgic spirit of the text and wonderfully depict every aspect of the characters’ emotions…. Lively, fun-filled and altogether delightful.” – Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews
Pub Date Giveaway: In the comments below, please tell us which new July/August 2015 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, August 17, 2015!
UPDATE: Congratulations to Sandra, winner of a copy of Sonya’s Chickens.
TD Summer Reading Club 2015
TD Summer Reading Club is an inclusive program that strives to engage all children in the joy of reading during the summer months while championing Canadian writers and illustrators. The program helps connect families with books and build confidence in reading through the delivery of free incentives and fun, accessible library activities. All summer long across Canada, libraries aim to inspire a sense of adventure and wonder, nurture children’s imaginations and celebrate their accomplishments.
Children who register for the TD Summer Reading Club at their local library receive free program materials and are encouraged to earn twelve collectible stickers by reading books over the summer. They are also invited to participate in programs organized at their local library and share their love of reading with children across the country through the TD Summer Reading club website. Sign up anytime from June 26 to September 7!
Here are some of the Tundra titles that are being featured in the reading lists this year, make sure you check them out at your local library:
Bob’s Hungry Ghost
Written by Geneviève Côté
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 3-7
ISBN: 978-1-77049-713-9
“… [a] zany take on a ghost story…. In keeping with the hyperactive mood of the story, Côté’s illustrations practically sail off the page.” – The New York Times
I Like to Play
World Vision Early Readers
Written by Marla Stewart Konrad
Hardcover | 24 Pages | Ages 3-7
ISBN: 978-0-88776-998-6
“…full of gorgeous photographs and simple text…. The pictures are thought provoking and will prompt many questions from young readers…. There is so much joy and focus in these pictures… highly recommended….” – Excellent, Resource Links
Nancy Knows
Written by Cybèle Young
Hardcover | 40 Pages | Ages 3-7
ISBN: 978-1-77049-482-4
“This story is told in simple, evocative language and is illustrated in minimalist style. Nancy appears as a blank slate drawn in graphite on plain white backdrops. Her elephantine shape is filled with colorful Japanese paper sculptures that reflect what’s on her mind. Nancy is a charming protagonist with a memory like an elephant. She won’t be soon forgotten.” – Starred Review, School Library Journal
Reality Check in Detroit
Written by Roy MacGregor
Trade Paperback | 208 Pages | Ages 9-12
ISBN: 978-1-77049-422-0
“Reality Check in Detroit, the latest in Roy MacGregor’s Screech Owls hockey series, delivers the goods: robust players, playful banter, zippy descriptions of hockey games, and a troubling mystery for the team to solve. With an affectionate homage to the hockey legends associated with the Detroit Red Wings and some thoughtful social commentary, it makes a satisfying read for kids who love hockey.” – National Reading Campaign
Splinters
Written by Kevin Sylvester
Hardcover | 40 Pages | Ages 6-9
ISBN: 978-0-88776-944-3
“…Sylvester’s puckish (sorry) take on the Cinderella story is reflected in squiggly, exaggerated watercolor-and-ink pictures. Most of them float on the page as if on the ice, and this works wonderfully, from Cindy’s parents’ frozen basement apartment to the wide rink. The Fairy Goaltender, by the way, works her magic by whacking Cindy across the legs with her magic hockey stick. Goal!” – Kirkus Reviews
Viminy Crowe’s Comic Book
Written by Marthe Jocelyn and Richard Scrimger
Illustrated by Claudia Dávila
Hardcover | 336 Pages | Ages 9-12
ISBN: 978-1-77049-479-4
“The numerous black-and-white comic panels help bring the story to life for traditional and graphic novel fans, also bridging the two settings and the story-within-a-story narrative structure. Comic geeks or not, many are likely to enjoy this humorous and action-packed adventure.” – School Library Journal
This program is a joint initiative between TD Bank Group, Toronto Public Library, and Library and Archives Canada. Every year a theme is selected from suggestions made across the country. Supporting materials for the program are developed by a team of children’s librarians from Toronto Public Library with the francophone component developed by librarians from Ottawa, Quebec City, and Montreal.
Please click here for more information about Josée Bisaillon, the illustrator who created the artwork for this year’s Reading Club!
The 2014 Shining Willow Award Winner
The Saskatchewan Young Readers’ Choice’s Willow Awards promotes reading by granting a Willow Award to the Canadian books voted by students to be the best of those nominated in three categories: Shining Willow, Diamond Willow, and Snow Willow. The 2014 Willow Awards winners were announced at the SaskEnergy Willow Awards Gala 2015 on May 14, 2015.
Congratulations to K’naan, Sol Guy, and Rudy Gutierrez for winning the Shining Willow Award!
When I Get Older
The Story behind “Wavin’ Flag”
Written by K’naan and Sol Guy
Illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 6-9
ISBN: 978-1-77049-302-5
“Somali-Canadian musician K’naan’s first children’s book tells the inspirational story of his immigration to Canada to escape the Somali War. K’naan uses accessible yet poetic language to draw in young readers, exploring his adjustment to Canada and how music kept him connected to his family. Gutierrez’s artwork powerfully conveys a new immigrant’s sense of alienation.” – Parents Canada
2015/2016 Chocolate Lily Award Shortlist
The short-list for the 2015/2016 Chocolate Lily Book Award has been announced. Tundra has a nominated title under the Picture Book category, congratulations to Linda Bailey and Colin Jack!
If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur
Written by Linda Bailey
Illustrated by Colin Jack
Hardcover | 40 Pages | Ages 3-7
ISBN: 978-1-77049-568-5
“This playful picture book encourages children to contemplate the ‘oddles of things you can do with a dinosaur’ through a subtly ironic narrative that speaks directly to them. Two-page spreads capture the many hilarious scenarios…. Buried in all the rambunctious fun, the story leaves young ones with a message that can be applied to real-life situations: if you take the time to think critically and creatively, you can make effective and logical choices.” – Booklist
The Chocolate Lily Award encourages grade school students to read some of the best fiction by British Columbia’s children’s authors and illustrators.