Category: Fall 2017

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Remembrance Day Reading

This week, students from across the country will be reflecting on war and the sacrifices made by men and women on the front lines and the home front. Here are some titles to help contextualize the First and Second World Wars.

PICTURE BOOKS

Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion
By Jane Barclay
Illustrated by Renné Benoit
ISBN 9781770491274 | Ebook
Ages 4-6 | Tundra Books
During World War I, a goat named Billy was adopted by a platoon of soldiers and made his way across the ocean to be part of the war effort. This charming true story follows Sergeant Billy from his small prairie town to the trenches of World War I and back, through harrowing moments, sad moments, moments of camaraderie and moments of celebration. This unforgettable goat and the platoon that loved him will capture your heart!

Sergeant Billy: The True Story of the Goat Who Went to War
By Mireille Messier
Illustrated by Kass Reich
ISBN 9780735264427 | Hardcover
Ages 4-8 | Tundra Books
During World War I, a goat named Billy was adopted by a platoon of soldiers and made his way across the ocean to be part of the war effort. This charming true story follows Sergeant Billy from his small prairie town to the trenches of World War I and back, through harrowing moments, sad moments, moments of camaraderie and moments of celebration. This unforgettable goat and the platoon that loved him will capture your heart!

MIDDLE GRADE

Innocent Heroes: Stories of Animals in the First World War
By Sigmund Brouwer
ISBN 9781101918463 | Hardcover
Ages 9-12 | Tundra Books
Never before have the stories of animal war heroes been collected in such a special way. This book consists of eight connected fictional stories about a Canadian platoon in WW1. The Storming Normans have help from some very memorable animals: we meet a dog who warns soldiers in the trench of a gas attack, a donkey whose stubbornness saves the day, a cat who saves soldiers from rat bites, and many more. Each story is followed by nonfiction sections that tell the true story of these animals from around the world and of the Canadian soldiers who took Vimy Ridge

Broken Strings
By Eric Walters and Kathy Kacer
ISBN 9780735266247 | Hardcover
Ages 10-14 | Puffin Canada
It’s 2002. In the aftermath of the twin towers — and the death of her beloved grandmother — Shirli Berman is intent on moving forward. The best singer in her junior high, she auditions for the lead role in Fiddler on the Roof, but is crushed to learn that she’s been given the part of the old Jewish mother in the musical rather than the coveted part of the sister. But there is an upside: her “husband” is none other than Ben Morgan, the cutest and most popular boy in the school. Deciding to throw herself into the role, she rummages in her grandfather’s attic for some props. There, she discovers an old violin in the corner — strange, since her Zayde has never seemed to like music, never even going to any of her recitals. Showing it to her grandfather unleashes an anger in him she has never seen before, and while she is frightened of what it might mean, Shirli keeps trying to connect with her Zayde and discover the awful reason behind his anger. A long-kept family secret spills out, and Shirli learns the true power of music, both terrible and wonderful.

NON-FICTION

A Soldier’s Sketchbook: The Illustrated First World War Diary of R.H. Rabjohn
By John Wilson
Illustrated by R.H. Rabjohn
ISBN 9781770498549 | Hardcover
Ages 10+ | Tundra Books
A unique First World War diary, illustrated with more than a hundred stunning pencil sketches, for children learning history and also for adults interested in a new perspective on the War and authentic wartime artefacts.

The War to End All Wars: The Story of World War I
By Jack Batten
ISBN 9780887768798 | Hardcover
Ages 10+ | Tundra Books
In this riveting account of a tragic episode in world history, author Jack Batten takes readers through a far bloodier conflict than mankind had ever before endured. Meet the soldiers who fought the deadly battles along the Western Front. Follow the trail of flying ace Billy Bishop as he tangles in the air with the Red Baron. Learn the strategy of Britain’s Grand Fleet of warships as it heads into the biggest sea battle in history. Discover how civilians decoded virtually all the messages the Germans sent to their ships around the world.

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2019 Chocolate Lily Awards Winners

Created in 2002, the Chocolate Lily Book Awards strives to increase literacy for grade school children in British Columbia while celebrating BC authors and illustrators. Tundra Books would like to congratulate Rachelle Delaney and Cale Atkinson! The Bonaventure Adventures (Rachelle Delaney) won the Novel category and Where Oliver Fits (Cale Atkinson) won the Picture Book category!

The Bonaventure Adventures
By Rachelle Delaney
288 Pages | Ages 8-12 | Puffin Canada
ISBN 9780143198505

Sebastian Konstantinov has grown up in a travelling circus, surrounded by talented performers. Seb, however, has no circus skills at all. He can’t even turn a somersault. But he does know this: the old-fashioned circus his father founded is out of date and running low on money. If someone doesn’t figure out how to save it, the Konstantinovs will be in real trouble. Seb thinks he may have the answer, and it involves attending the highly selective Bonaventure Circus School in Montreal, Canada. Seb secretly writes to the school’s Directrice (conveniently leaving out the part about his lack of circus skills), and to his surprise, he gets accepted right away. Now all he has to do is keep his lack of talent a secret. But it turns out that Seb is not the only one with secrets. The school is literally crumbling beneath the students’ feet, and the Directrice is counting on Seb’s “talent” to save it.

Where Oliver Fits
By Cale Atkinson
40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Tundra Books
ISBN 9781101919071

Oliver has always dreamed about where he will fit. Will he be in the mane of a unicorn? The tentacle of a pirate squid? The helmet of an astronaut? When he finally goes in search of his perfect place, he finds that trying to fit in is a lot harder than he thought. But like any puzzle, a little trial and error leads to a solution, and Oliver figures out exactly where he belongs.

Where Oliver Fits is a sweet and funny story that explores all the highs and lows of learning to be yourself and shows that fitting in isn’t always the best fit.

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2019 Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award Winner

The Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award is a literary program for young readers in Atlantic Canada, inspired by (and for the same age group of 9-12 as) the Silver Birch Award in Ontario and the Red Cedar Award. Tundra Books would like to congratulate Charis Cotter! The Painting tied for first place in the English Fiction category!

The Painting
By Charis Cotter
288 Pages | Ages 9-12 | Tundra Books
ISBN 9781101918876

A haunting, beautiful middle-grade novel about fractured relationships, loss, ghosts, friendship and art.

Annie and her mother don’t see eye to eye. When Annie finds a painting of a lonely lighthouse in their home, she is immediately drawn to it–and her mother wishes it would stay banished in the attic. To her, art has no interest, but Annie loves drawing and painting.

When Annie’s mother slips into a coma following a car accident, strange things begin to happen to Annie. She finds herself falling into the painting and meeting Claire, a girl her own age living at the lighthouse. Claire’s mother Maisie is the artist behind the painting, and like Annie, Claire’s relationship with her mother is fraught. Annie thinks she can help them find their way back to each other, and in so doing, help mend her relationship with her own mother.

But who IS Claire? Why can Annie travel through the painting? And can Annie help her mother wake up from her coma?

The Painting is a touching, evocative story with a hint of mystery and suspense to keep readers hooked.

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How to Make a Ghost Friend

How to make a ghost friend
Happy 1st of October! Now that it’s sweater season, you’re going to need something cute and cozy to decorate your space with. We’re recommending a little felt ghost inspired by How to Make Friends with a Ghost by Rebecca Green.

You will need:
2 felt patches about 5 x 5 inches
1 bundle of stuffing
1 ghost stencil + printer
1 needle and thread
1 pair of scissors
1 pink colored pencil
1 black permanent marker

How to make it:
How to Make a Ghost Friend - Talking withTundraPS: We also have an activity kit and coloring sheets that you can download and print!

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International Children’s Book Day 2018

International Children's Book Day
Since 1967, on or around April 2, Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday, people around the world celebrate International Children’s Book Day to inspire a love of reading and to call attention to children’s books.

We thought we’d spotlight our incredibly talented international authors and illustrators today. Here are 10 books that you should look out for:

Can You Find My Robot's ArmCan You Find My Robot’s Arm?
By Chihiro Takeuchi
ISBN 9781101919033
07/04/2017
Hardcover | Ages 2-5
Chihiro Takeuchi is a renowned paper cut artist living in Osaka, Japan. In 2015 and 2016, Chihiro was part of a select group of artists to exhibit at the prestigious Bologna Book Fair. She has created several books in Japanese. Can You Find My Robot’s Arm? is her first children’s picture book in English.

From the Heart of AfricaFrom the Heart of Africa
Collected by Eric Walters
ISBN 9781770497191
01/02/2018
Hardcover | Ages 6-9
Illustrators in this book include Joe Morse, Canada; Maaike Beker, South Africa; Eugenie Fernandes, Canada; Sindiso Nyoni, Zimbabwe; Toby Newsome, South Africa; Eva Campbell, Canada; Thomas Gonzalez, USA; Roge, Canada; Xanale Puren, South Africa; Loveis Wise, USA; Iain McIntosh, UK; Melinda Josie, Canada; Jeannie Phan, Canada; Setor Fiadzigbey, Ghana; and Eliscer Elliott, Canada.

PetraPetra
By Marianna Coppo
ISBN 9780735262676
02/06/2018
Hardcover | Ages 3-7
Marianna Coppo is an author/illustrator from Italy. She studied editorial illustration at MiMaster in Milan, and now focuses on freelance illustration in Rome. She is one of the curators of Tentacoli, an independent label which specializes in fanzines and handmade products. Petra is her first picture book.

Sakura's Cherry BlossomsSakura’s Cherry Blossoms
By Robert Paul Weston
Illustrated by Misa Saburi
ISBN 9781101918746
02/20/2018
Hardcover | Ages 3-7
Robert Paul Weston was born in Dover, England, but did most of his growing up in the small town of Georgetown, Ontario. Since then, he’s also spent time living in the US, Japan, Switzerland, and the UK. He holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of British Columbia and has been nominated for the Journey Prize and the Fountain Award for Speculative Fiction. He has written several novels for young readers, including Zorgamazoo, Dust City, and Blues for Zoey. Sakura’s Cherry Blossoms is his first picture book. He currently lives in London, England.

The Adventures of Miss Petitfours - paperbackThe Adventures of Miss Petitfour
By Anne Michaels
Illustrated by Emma Block
ISBN 9780735263222
03/27/2018
Trade Paperback | Ages 6-9
Emma Block is the author and illustrator of Tea and Cake and has illustrated several books for children. She has worked for clients including Orla Kiely, UNIQLO, Anthropologie, Time Out, and Hallmark. She likes charity shops, tea and very sharp pencils. Her art is inspired by the people she meets in her everyday life, old photos, vintage clothes, travel, 1950s illustration, and 1930s jazz.

The Golden GlowThe Golden Glow
By Benjamin Flouw
ISBN 9780735264120
5/15/2018
Hardcover | Ages 4-8
Benjamin Flouw graduated from a CG animation school in France and moved to London to create backgrounds for Cartoon Network’s show The Amazing World of Gumball. He is now based in Paris where he works as a freelance designer and illustrator for films and advertisements, with clients such as Variety, Martha Stewart Living, and American Express. His influences run from mid-century illustrators like Miroslav Sasek and Mary Blair to 90’s low-poly video games. The Golden Glow is the first picture book he has both written and illustrated.

Great DogGreat Dog
By Davide Cali
Illustrated by Miguel Tanco
ISBN 9781101919170
5/29/2018
Hardcover | Ages 3-7
Davide Cali began his career in 1994 as a cartoon writer for the Italian magazine Linus. He began writing children’s books in 2000, and since then he has published over one hundred books for children, including Snow White and the 77 Dwarfs and Cinderella and the Furry Slippers. Cali has won a Bologna Ragazzi Special Award, the Switzerland Enfantaisies Prize, the Baobob Prize, the Belgium Libbylit Award, and France’s SNCF award. His books have been published in France, Italy, Austria, the United States and Canada, and translations of his books have been published in eighteen countries. Davide lives in Genoa, Italy.

Award-winning artist Miguel Tanco is a children’s book author and illustrator. He teaches illustration and organizes creative workshops for kids in Spain, where he was born and raised, and in Italy. He has published over forty children’s books including You and Me, Me and You; Les Farfelus; and The Story of Cyrano de Bergerac. He lives in Milan with his wife Federica and their two great sons, Pablo and Javier.

If a Horse Had WordsIf a Horse Had Words
By Kelly Cooper
Illustrated by Lucy Eldridge
ISBN 9781101918722
06/05/2018
Hardcover | Ages 4-8
Lucy Eldridge is a traditional artist who works primarily in watercolor and gouache to create beautiful, whimsical illustrations. She finds inspiration for her work from a variety of things, including pebbles found on the beach, biscuits, origami paper, dictionaries, maps, Chinese brush painting, clouds, trees, trinkets, and cats. Lucy illustrated the middle-grade novel Welcome to Nowhere by Elizabeth Laird. This is her first picture book. She is based in Brighton, UK.

Mary Who Wrote FrankensteinMary Who Wrote Frankenstein
By Linda Bailey
Illustrated by Júlia Sardà
ISBN 9781770495593
08/28/2018
Hardcover | Ages 5-8
Júlia Sardà is an artist who has illustrated many books for children, including The Liszts by Kyo Maclear, and number of classics such as Alice in Wonderland, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Her work has been published around the world in many languages. She lives in Barcelona, Spain.

Cover Coming SoonTales from the Inner City
By Shaun Tan
ISBN 9780735265202
10/02/2018
Hardcover | Ages 12+
Shaun Tan is an artist and author living in Melbourne, Australia. He has written and illustrated numerous acclaimed books that have enjoyed tremendous crossover appeal, including The Arrival, The Red Tree, and The Singing Bones, as well as picture books for children including The Rules of Summer. Shaun has worked as a theatre designer, a concept artist for Pixar, and has directed a short film, The Lost Thing, which won an Academy Award. He has won many awards for both individual works and his body of work, including a World Fantasy Award for Best Artist in 2001, a Hugo Award for Best Professional Artist, and the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, both in 2011.