Fall 2014 – Page 10 – Tundra Book Group

November 26, 2014May 7, 2025

Indigo’s Best Books of 2014 for Kids & Teens

For Ages 3-5 | Laugh Out Loud
If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur
Written by Linda Bailey
Illustrated by Colin Jack
Hardcover | 40 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-568-5
“There aren’t many books that have the courage to be this silly…. Simply wonderful.” – The Globe and Mail

For Ages 3-5 | Cuddle Up & Read
The Hockey Sweater, 30th Anniversary Edition
Written by Roch Carrier
Illustrated by Sheldon Cohen
Translated by Sheila Fischman
Hardcover | 48 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-762-7
“It’s a classic… you can’t really be a Canadian and not read it. It’s become part of our cultural lexicon.” – Canadian Children’s Book News

The Highest Number in the World
Written by Roy MacGregor
Illustrated by GeneviÃ¨ve Després
Hardcover | 32 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-575-3
“MacGregor’s writing packs an emotional punch without relying on sentimentality (“Gabe’s heart felt as if a skate had just run across it”). Expressive pencil drawings, brightened with color washes, perfectly capture the characters’ feelings. From the moment Grandma begins to share her past and her passion hockey, the story’s context becomes broader, more complex, and more meaningful. A memorable, intergenerational picture book perfect for sharing.” – Starred Review, Booklist

For Ages 9-12 | Contemporary Adventures
Viminy Crowe’s Comic Book
Written by Marthe Jocelyn and Richard Scrimger
Illustrated by Claudia DÃ¡vila
Hardcover | 336 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-479-4
eBook: 978-1-77049-480-0
“A harmonious blend of narrative and intertwined graphic sequences finds two preteens at a comics convention closer to the action than they ever imagined…. The book’s creators clearly had a grand time, filling it with fantastic steampunk creations…. This wholly imagined fantasy is well-fleshed out and keeps the pages flying with its extremely clever story within a story. As it embraces so many different genres and formats-comics, steampunk, adventure-expect this to resonate with a wide readership. A thrilling and imaginative reminder that adventure and magic can be found anywhere, especially where one least expects it….” – Starred Review, Kirkus

November 25, 2014May 7, 2025

Kirkus Reviews: Best Children’s Books of 2014

Kirkus Reviews compiles a great list of the best children’s and teen books annually. Congratulations to all of the amazing authors and illustrators for their achievement and for being included in the categories as well! We’re happy to share that two of our titles made the list this year!

Congratulations to CybÃ¨le Young, Nancy Knows was selected as one of the Best Picture Books of 2014 to Start a Conversation:

Nancy Knows
Written by CybÃ¨le Young
Hardcover | 40 Pages | Ages 3-7
ISBN: 978-1-77049-482-4
“…the vehicle for a truly beautiful and unique visual tour de force. Young creates delicately worked, detailed illustrations of the things Nancy does remember and sorts them into a wide variety of categories shown within graphite-pencil outlines of Nancy’s elephantine body in front, back, overhead and sideways perspectives. She appears standing or rearing, sleeping or sitting. Things are remembered neatly or jumbled up; sights, sounds and smells are recalled, as well as places and objects, all in interesting juxtapositions. Each item is a tiny, intricate sculpture made with Japanese papers. Colorful shapes in abstract design and amazingly detailed, seemingly three-dimensional objects demand intense, close examination, and fingers will tingle with the wish to lift them off the page. It’s a work to be shared in wonderment and delight. Pure fascination.” – Starred Review, Kirkus

Congratulations to Dan Bar-el and Tatjana Mai-Wyss, Audrey (cow) was selected as one of the Best Middle-Grade Science Fiction, Fantasy & Adventure of 2014 AND Best Middle-Grade Books of 2014 for Readers Who Like Quirky:

Audrey (cow)
Written by Dan Bar-el
Illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss
Hardcover | 240 Pages | Ages 7-10
ISBN: 978-1-77049-602-6
eBook: 978-1-77049-604-0
“Move aside Wilbur and Babe. There’s a new farmyard hero in town, and she has no desire to end up hamburger. Audrey isn’t like the other cows … the feisty Charolais concocts an elaborate escape for herself using the expertise and help of her barnyard friends…. In a multiple-perspective, documentary-like format, each animal tells its part of the story with terrific humor and personality … the many voices make the book an ideal read-aloud for a classroom and ideal fodder for readers’ theater…. Part Great Escape, part Hatchet, part Charlotte’s Web, all wonderful.” – Starred Review, Kirkus

November 21, 2014May 7, 2025

2014 Holiday Showcase with Small Print Toronto

You’re invited to the 2014 Holiday Showcase with Small Print Toronto! Santa’s had his parade and we’ve had our first snowstorm, but the festive season begins for book-lovers aged 2-12 at our Holiday Showcase!

Date: Saturday, November 29, 2014
Time: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Place: Lillian H. Smith Library
Address: 239 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 1R5

Between 1:00-2:30 pm, award-winning creators Julie Kraulis, Kyo Maclear, and Cybéle Young will read and conduct cool crafts for readers aged 2-8.

Between 2:30-3:30 pm, acclaimed authors Natale Ghent, Marthe Jocelyn, and Richard Scrimger will deliver presentations and run activities for the 8-12 set.

Throughout the day, readers of all ages can draw, write and add their stamp to a giant, group comic book.

Since few gifts give as much long-lasting joy as a signed book, TYPE Books will make books available for purchase at the event.

For FREE Tickets, just click here. For more details, visit Small Print Toronto.

November 11, 2014May 7, 2025

Tuesdays with Tundra 44

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

Audrey (cow)
Written by Dan Bar-el
Illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss
Hardcover | 240 Pages | Ages 7-10
ISBN: 978-1-77049-602-6
eBook: 978-1-77049-604-0
“Move aside Wilbur and Babe. There’s a new farmyard hero in town, and she has no desire to end up hamburger. In a multiple-perspective, documentary-like format, each animal tells its part of the story with terrific humor and personality … the many voices make the book an ideal read-aloud for a classroom and ideal fodder for readers’ theatre. Bar-el is also unafraid to engage in truly lovely descriptive writing. Part Great Escape, part Hatchet, part Charlotte’s Web, all wonderful.” – Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews
“…[a] cleverly constructed story…. Bar-el creates a humorous chorus of perspectives, temperaments, dialects, and cadences….. Thoroughly charming….” – Starred Review, Publishers Weekly
“At its heart, Audrey (cow) encourages kids to think even as it entertains – the mark of wonderful children’s literature.” – Starred Review, Quill and Quire

The Hockey Sweater, Anniversary Edition
Written by Roch Carrier
Illustrated by Sheldon Cohen
Translated by Sheila Fischman
Hardcover | 48 Pages | All Ages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-762-7
“It’s a classic … you can’t really be a Canadian and not read it. It’s become part of our cultural lexicon.” – Canadian Children’s Book News

The Green Man
Written by Michael Bedard
Trade Paperback | 320 Pages | Ages 10+
ISBN: 978-1-77049-511-1
“Mystery, fantasy, romance, horror, and poetry come together in this classic outsider story with sometimes shocking twists and turns that reveal heartfelt connections…. [T]he action is fast, and the simple prose is pitch-perfect….” – Booklist

You know what else releases today? Our newly packaged L.M. Montgomery hardcover books!!!

Pub Date Giveaway: In the comments below, please tell us which new November 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, November 17, 2014!

UPDATE: Congratulations to Kris, you’ve won a copy of The Green Man!

November 6, 2014May 7, 2025

Launch of: An Armadillo in Paris

What a lovely launch for An Armadillo in Paris! The event was held on Wednesday, November 5 at Café Plenty with Mabel’s Fables on hand to sell books. A fantastic turnout of friends, families, and fans came to congratulate Julie Kraulis on her second picture book publication. Here are some photos from the reception:
Yes, a knitted armadillo was present at the launch. With an interchangeable scarf, wonder what the colours will be for Arlo’s next adventure in New York City?
Julie brought in the original art to display so everyone could see the amazing details in her work.
A Parisian-themed launch wouldn’t be complete with some treats, especially macarons!
Great to see the support and love from friends and family! But … were they there to see Julie or Arlo?
Editor Samantha Swenson (right) saying a few words, she’s also the one who knitted the armadillo!
So many kids came by to get their books signed!
If you’re looking for Arlo prints and postcards, you can order them from Julie’s website here. Thank you to those who came out on the splendid Wednesday evening and many thanks to the team at Café Plenty and Mabel’s Fables!