2014 Chocolate Lily Award Shortlist

Chocolate Lily Award

The short-list for the 2014 Chocolate Lily Book Award has been announced. Tundra has two nominated titles under the Grades 4-6 category:

A Tinfoil SkyA Tinfoil Sky
Written by Cyndi Sand-Eveland
Hardcover | 224 Pages | Ages 10+
ISBN: 978-1-77049-277-6
“…Sand-Eveland’s gritty, riveting second novel…. Mel’s restrained narration has a blunt eloquence; her voice is all the more gripping for being understated. Through subtle shifts in tone and perspective, Eveland-Sand movingly shows how Mel’s stoicism gives way to the cautious hope that she can actually realize her dreams, not abandon them as her mother has done.” – The National Post

The Reluctant Journal of Henry K LarsenThe Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen
Written by Susin Nielsen
Hardcover | 256 Pages | Ages 10+
ISBN: 978-1-77049-372-8
“…Words and writing are often a salvation in Nielsen’s YA fiction. Henry is forced to keep a journal by his therapist; he is at first reluctant, then obsessive about it. A born diarist, he exhibits the idiosyncratic voice of a memoirist, one keenly interested in documenting both his inner and outer worlds. He captures both with humour and heart…. Yet the novel is a dramedy, and believably balances lightness and darkness. It is a shame when the reader must put down the journal and say goodbye to Henry.” – The National Post

The Chocolate Lily Award encourages grade school students to read some of the best fiction by British Columbia’s children’s authors and illustrators.

Congratulations to Cyndi Sand-Eveland and Susin Nielsen!

Launch of: The Pocket Mommy

The Pocket Mommy book launch
You’re invited to join Rachel Eugster at the launch of The Pocket Mommy!

Where: Kaleidoscope Kids’ Books
Address: 1018 Bank Street, Ottawa, ON K1S 3W8
Phone: (613) 232-7406
When: Sunday, September, 22, 2013
Time: 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

What readers are saying about The Pocket Mommy:

“With a mischievous tone, it pokes fun at mothering, while embracing the love that a child has for their mom.” – Apt 613

“Kids will find all the trouble pocket mommy gets into funny and this would be great to read aloud during the first day (or week) of school.” – Gidgets Bookworms

“While I’m waiting for someone to write the next book The Pocket Baby just for me, take a look at this adorable book, The Pocket Mommy, perfect for kids just starting school!” – Mom vs The Boys

“This is a lovely tale about a little boy who is dealing with the struggle of staying with the familiar and letting go to explore something new.” – Lost in a Great Book

Eden Mills Writers’ Festival 2013

Eden Mills Writers Festival
You know it’s autumn when there is an array of literary festivals during the weekends! Please join author, Monica Kulling, at the Eden Mills Writers’ Festival on Sunday, September 15, 2013. She will be at Jenny’s Place (Backyard) from 3:10-3:30pm along with other children’s book authors.

MonicaKulling
Photo Credit: Erin Woods

Monica Kulling lives in Toronto and has published over 35 children’s titles including Merci, Mister Dash! and In the Bag! Margaret Knight Wraps it Up (which Smithsonian Magazine cited as one of 10 Great Science Books for Kids). Her books have been regularly nominated for awards, including the Silver Birch Express Award for All Aboard! Elijah McCoy’s Steam Engine.

2013 Telling Tales: A Festival of Stories

Telling Tales

This year, the 5th annual Telling Tales: A Family Festival of Stories is being held on Sunday, September 15, 2013 at the Westfield Heritage Village. Gates open at 9:30am and the festival ends around 4:00pm. Parents, grandparents, educators, aspiring writers and illustrators, established writers and illustrators, storytellers, musicians, literacy champions, history buffs, and lovers of stories will enjoy Telling Tales!

Cary Fagan at Telling Tales
Cary Fagan reading Mr. Zinger’s Hat at Telling Tales in 2012.

Location:
Westfield Heritage Village
Rockton, ON L0R 1X0

Located about 30 minutes from Hamilton, Kitchener, Cambridge, Waterloo, Brantford, Burlington, Oakville, and Milton. Guests can park at the Rockton Fairgrounds and take the 5 minute complimentary shuttle service (thanks to Hillfield-Strathallan Colleges) to Westfiled Heritage Village. All free of charge! There is NO General parking at Westfield.

Marthe Jocelyn sharing Ones and Twos at Telling Tales in 2012.
Marthe Jocelyn sharing Ones and Twos at Telling Tales in 2012.

Don’t forget to meet our authors at the festival this year:

My Name Is BlessingERIC WALTERS
Jerseyville Railway Station from 10:30 am – 11:00 am
Bryan Prince Bookseller tent at 11:15 am and 2:15 pm
Lockhart Meadow from 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Clever KatarinaKEN SETTERINGTON
Mountsberg Church from 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm
Bryan Prince Bookseller tent at 12:45 pm and 2:15 pm
Native Village from 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm

SplintersKEVIN SYLVESTER
Jerseyville Railway Station from 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm
Bryan Prince Bookseller tent at 1:15 pm and 3:45 pm
Bandstand from 3:00 pm – 3:30 pm

For more information about the festival, visit the Telling Tales website or download the schedule and program. There’s even a festival app!

Finalists for the 2013 Canadian Children’s Book Centre Awards

The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC) has announced the finalists for its seven major children’s book awards – the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, Prix TD de littérature canadienne pour l’enfance et la jeunesse, Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award, Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction, Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People, John Spray Mystery Award, and the Monica Hughes Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy.

The nominated books exemplify some of the best work by Canadian authors and illustrators. The following Tundra titles have been shortlisted:

TD CANADIAN CHILDREN’S LITERATURE AWARD

The Reluctant Journal of Henry K LarsenThe 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
The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen provides an impressively nuanced portrayal of family dynamics in the aftermath of an unpredictable and nearly unspeakable tragedy… This powerful novel is infused with humour, while not turning away from the hard reality of grief… With this book, Nielsen secures her place as one of Canada’s most powerful writers for young people, and she delivers what they need most: an appropriate, satisfying, realistic measure of hope.” – Jury’s Comments

Congratulations to the other finalists in this category: Kids of Kabul: Living Bravely Through a Never-Ending War written by Deborah Ellis; One Year in Coal Harbour written by Polly Horvath; The Stamp Collector written by Jennifer Lanthier, illustrated by François Thisdale; and Virginia Wolf written by Kyo Maclear, illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault.

MARILYN BAILLIE PICTURE BOOK AWARD

Mr Zingers HatMr. Zinger’s Hat
Written by Cary Fagan
Illustrated by Dušan Petričić
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 4-6
ISBN: 978-1-77049-253-0
“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… Petričić’s engaging artwork deftly juxtaposes two distinct styles which portray a real-life setting and an imaginary world.” – Jury’s Comments

Congratulations to the other finalists in this category: Mr. King’s Things written and illustrated by Geneviève Côté; The Stamp Collector written by Jennifer Lanthier, illustrated by François Thisdale; Uncle Wally’s Old Brown Shoe written and illustrated by Wallace Edwards; and Virginia Wolf written by Kyo Maclear, illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault.

NORMA FLECK AWARD FOR CANADIAN CHILDREN’S NON-FICTION

Going Up - Elisha Otis Trip to the TopGoing Up!
Elisha Otis’s Trip to the Top

Written by Monica Kulling
Illustrated by David Parkins
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 5-8
ISBN: 978-1-77049-240-0
“The story of Elisha Otis, the inventor of the passenger elevator, is one of creativity, vision and ultimately, perseverance… Kulling’s exuberant account of this remarkable invention has all the lift of its subject and Parkins’s illustrations effectively blend realism with whimsy… It reads like a picture book but leaves us with a clear picture of the science behind the concept.” – Jury’s Comments

Rescuing the ChildrenRescuing the Children
The Story of the Kindertransport

Written by Deborah Hodge
Hardcover | 64 Pages | Ages 10 and up
ISBN: 978-1-77049-256-1
eBook: 978-1-77049-366-7
“Hodge presents an unforgettable account of how ten thousand Jewish children escaped from Nazi Germany before the war… The timelines, artifacts, survivor interviews and artwork blend harmoniously to create a brave tableau of both the children and adults involved in this astonishing historical enterprise… The individual stories enrich the larger story with an insider’s knowledge of the anguish of leaving home, perhaps forever.” – Jury’s Comments

Congratulations to the other finalists in this category: Kate & Pippin: An Unlikely Love Story written by Martin Springett, photographs by Isobel Springett; Kids of Kabul: Living Bravely Through a Never-Ending War written by Deborah Ellis; and Real Justice: Fourteen and Sentenced to Death – The Story of Steven Truscott written by Bill Swan.

JOHN SPRAY MYSTERY AWARD

Becoming HolmesBecoming Holmes
The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His Final Case

Written by Shane Peacock
Hardcover | 264 Pages | Ages 10 and up
ISBN: 978-1-77049-232-5
eBook: 978-1-77049-291-2
“Becoming Holmes pulls off a remarkable feat: being at once an exceptionally satisfying conclusion to the Boy Sherlock Holmes books and a gripping entry point for a first-time reader of the series… With vivid writing, complex characters and dark plotting, Peacock proves himself to be a master of the genre.” – Jury’s Comments

Congratulations to the other finalists in this category: Breakaway written by Michael Betcherman; Devil’s Pass written by Sigmund Brouwer; The Lynching of Louie Sam written by Elizabeth Stewart; and Neil Flambé and the Tokyo Treasure written and illustrated by Kevin Sylvester.

For the first time ever, TD is partnering with CBC Books to present the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Fan Choice Award. Young readers will be asked to pick their favourite book from the shortlisted TD Award titles in an online poll starting on Monday, September 9. The book with the most votes will win, and one lucky entrant will win a trip to Toronto to present the award at the gala ceremony. The event will be hosted by Shelagh Rogers, host of The Next Chapter on CBC Radio One.

Look for all the details regarding the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Fan Choice Award and enter the contest starting Monday, September 9 at CBC Books.

Congratulations to our authors, illustrators, and to our hardworking publishing team! The winners will be announced at the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Awards on Tuesday, October 22, 2013.

Tundra Book Group