George Eastman’s Great Idea

On this day in 1854, George Eastman was born! Introduce a little one to George Eastman’s great idea!

It’s a Snap!
George Eastman’s First Photograph

Written by Monica Kulling
Illustrated by Bill Slavin
Hardcover | 32 pages
Ages 5-8
ISBN 978-0-88776-881-1
In 1877 in Rochester, New York, George Eastman couldn’t understand why picture-taking was so difficult. Having left school at fourteen to support his mother and two sisters, George decided to find out by making photography his hobby. He packed up glass plates, a plate holder, a tent, a heavy tripod, a thick piece of black cloth, a water jug, and chemicals and set off to take his first photograph.

Praise for It’s a Snap! George Eastman’s First Photograph:

“Monica Kulling’s charming It’s a Snap! … tells Eastman’s story with panache and Bill Slavin’s entertaining pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations push the humor up a notch. This is terrific storytelling that will work as a read aloud in any class.” – Curriculum Connections, School Library Journal

“Cameras were once huge and bulky. Then along came George Eastman, who put photography within reach of us all. Based on a true (and fascinating) story.” – Scholastic Parent & Child

“Monica Kulling and Bill Slavin offer a unique look at the interesting life and many accomplishments of George Eastman.… This book is a great way to introduce your children to the wonders of photography.” – Shutterbug Magazine

“…accessible picture book biography… The strong narrative is peppered with snappy dialogue. Bill Slavin’s pen, ink and watercolour illustrations are equally engaging. …This first book in the Great Idea Series is a picture-perfect introduction to biographies for beginning readers.” – Excellent, Resource Links

The RCMP

On this day in 1920, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police officially came into existence!

In 1919, Parliament voted to merge the Force with the Dominion Police, a federal police force with jurisdiction in eastern Canada. When the legislation took effect on February 1, 1920, the name became the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and headquarters was moved to Ottawa from Regina. – http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/

In this loving homage to the RCMP Musical Ride, Maxwell Newhouse captures its spirit – from the riders to the equipment, the training, and the horses – in words and art:

The RCMP Musical Ride
By Maxwell Newhouse
Hardcover
24 Pages
ISBN 978-0-88776-683-1
The pageantry of the sleek black horses, their intricate dancelike steps, and the thrilling play of lances make the Musical Ride of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police an unforgettable experience. Rooted in the cavalry drills of the Great March West of 1874, the modern-day Musical Ride now represents the best in horsemanship.

For the tour schedule of the RCMP Musical Ride, please visit www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca for more information.

Family Literacy Day

In addition to Family Literacy Day, two renowned authors were born on this day! Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, better known through his pseudonym, Lewis Carroll, was born in 1832 and Mordecai Richler was born in 1931. Why not celebrate their books with your family today?

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
By Lewis Carroll
Illustrated by Oleg Lipchenko
Hardcover
112 Pages
ISBN 978-0-88776-932-0

“Elegant book design and sophisticated artwork…. remarkable and innovative….” – School Library Journal

“… Illustrator Oleg Lipchenko … gives Lewis Carroll’s masterpiece an antique feel that finds something startling on each and every page. In a world populated by inquisitive animals and archly disturbed humans, Lipchenko leaves his mark on Wonderland with a unique but satisfying vision…. Old-school in the best sense of the word, Tundra clearly knows a master when they see one…” – Bookslut.com

Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang
By Mordecai Richler
Illustrated by Dušan Petričić
Hardcover
96 Pages
ISBN 978-0-88776-825-2

“Mordecai Richler is a funny man, a good writer, and everyone should go out tomorrow morning and beat his local bookseller into submission if he hasn’t got a nice plump display of books titled Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang…. It is ghastly and funny…an unbelievably believable unbelievable place with no artificial sweeteners or preservatives.” – The New York Times Book Review

Jacob Two-Two and the Dinosaur
By Mordecai Richler
Illustrated by Dušan Petričić
Hardcover
104 Pages
ISBN 978-0-88776-926-9
“There is a reckless momentum to Richler’s narrative, a rhythm of slap-dash invention that mimics the frantic pace of childhood fantasy. Yet Richler’s tale is well-ventilated with adult wit.” – Maclean’s

Jacob Two-Two’s First Spy Case
By Mordecai Richler
Illustrated by Dušan Petričić
Hardcover
168 Pages
ISBN 978-0-88776-927-6
“…the story combines zippy dialogue, clever magic tricks, and even a chapter in mirror writing, with opprobrious names and grossness galore…. It will undoubtedly be greeted with shrieks of joy and loud guffaws from children employing their all-too-natural baser instincts.” – The Horn Book Magazine