Category: Toronto

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2015 OLA Super Conference

It’s that time of year again! The OLA Super Conference takes place at the end of this week!

TundraOLASC

From Thursday to Friday, you can find us at booth #716-724, talking about our new and upcoming books. We’ll also have a few author signings over the two days! With each author signing, we’ll hand out complimentary copies of the title on a first come, first serve basis. Make sure you get there early – there will only be a limited number of signed books to give away!

Frank Viva signing on Thursday, January 29, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.

9781101917688-450Outstanding in the Rain
Written by Frank Viva
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 3-7
ISBN 9781101917688
eBook 9781101917701
An outstanding story of word and picture play from an award-winning author/illustrator, that will amaze and delight kids, English language enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates great design and arty children’s books.

Charis Cotter signing on Thursday, January 29, 2015 at 4:00 p.m.

9781770495913-450The Swallow: A Ghost Story
Written by Charis Cotter
Hardcover | 320 Pages | Ages 9-12
ISBN 9781770495913
eBook 9781770495937
“Spooky tension, friendship and compassion permeate this exquisitely plotted middle-grade ghost story … readers will seesaw between chills and snorts of laughter. When Cotter delivers the final twist, it is a denouement that becomes a springboard for greater revelations that lead to even greater reader satisfaction. Middle-grade storytelling at its very best-extraordinary.” – Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews
“Cotter builds suspense without artificially withholding information from the reader. And for bibliophiles, the author’s subtle hat tips to favourite books are a joy. Like all the best ghost stories, The Swallow tells us more about the living than the dead. It is a fantastic addition to Toronto literature, with all the makings of a classic.” – Starred Review, Quill & Quire

Eric Walters signing on Friday, January 30, 2015 at 9:30 a.m.

9781770495302-450Hope Springs
Written by Eric Walters
Illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 6-9
ISBN 9781770495302
eBook 9781770495319
“Based on actual events, this story is one of strength and kindness in the face of fear…. With the addition of the author’s ‘Story Behind the Story,’ the facts of the origin of Hope Springs allow a retelling of the story through a personal narrative with the aid of photography, a map, and additional explanation.” – School Library Journal

Sylvia McNicoll signing on Friday, January 30, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.

9781770497108-450Best Friends through Eternity
Written by Sylvia McNicoll
Hardcover | 192 Pages | Ages 12 and up
ISBN 9781770497108
eBook 9781770497122
A fast-paced novel about a Chinese teen who “dies” in a tragic accident and is reunited with her former best friend. Will she have to stay away for the rest of her days, or is there a way back?

Follow @TundraBooks, @VIVAandCO, @CharisCotter, @EricRWalters and @SylviaMcNicoll on Twitter! You can also follow #OLASC15 for the latest news and updates!

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Mabel’s Fables: Our Favourite Picture Books of 2014

The staff at Mabel’s Fables Bookstore picked their best books of the year, Nancy Knows and Hope Springs is on their list! Congratulations to Cybèle Young, Eric Walters, and Eugenie Fernandes!

Nancy KnowsNancy Knows
Written by Cybèle Young
Hardcover | 40 Pages | Ages 3-7
ISBN: 978-1-77049-482-4
“This book is just beautiful, from the artwork right down to the message. Nancy’s plight to remember is something that resonates with me and feel it is perfect for any child who has someone suffering from memory loss in their family. It’s a quick, lovely read and, I admit, I got a bit teary at the end.” – Karla

Hope SpringsHope Springs
Written by Eric Walters
Illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 6-9
ISBN: 978-1-77049-530-2
“The first time I read this book, I was in tears in the store – in front of customers. I should have read this at my desk, instead! Hope Springs is an incredibly touching story about kindness, understanding, charity and point of view. It’s about a whole lot more than just water. This type of picture book is what I like to refer to as a ‘dialogue opener’ one that starts important discussions with kids.” – Erin

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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

HolidayShowcaseSchedule

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.

An Armadillo in Paris Julia Child Nancy Knows Millhouse Viminy Crowes Comic Book

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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:
01_LaunchArloParisYes, 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?
02_LaunchArloParisJulie brought in the original art to display so everyone could see the amazing details in her work.
03_LaunchArloParisA Parisian-themed launch wouldn’t be complete with some treats, especially macarons!
04_LaunchArloParisGreat to see the support and love from friends and family! But … were they there to see Julie or Arlo?
05_LaunchArloParisEditor Samantha Swenson (right) saying a few words, she’s also the one who knitted the armadillo!
06_LaunchArloParisSo many kids came by to get their books signed!
07_LaunchArloParisIf 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!

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14th Annual Writers’ Trust Awards

Last night, the 14th Annual Writers’ Trust Awards was held at the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto. The following award winners were announced:

  • Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize
  • Latner Writers’ Trust Poetry Prize
  • Writers’ Trust Engel/Findley Award
  • Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People
  • Matt Cohen Award: In Celebration of a Writing Life
  • Writers’ Trust / McClelland & Stewart Journey Prize

Cary FaganCongratulations to Cary Fagan on being this year’s recipient of the Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People. This award honours a Canadian author of children’s literature whose body of work is judged to demonstrate the highest literary standards.

Cary Fagan is an award-winning author for children. His kids’ books include the popular Kaspar Snit novels and the picture book Mr. Zinger’s Hat, for which he won the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award and the IODE Jean Throop Award. He has won the Jewish Book Award, and been shortlisted for the Silver Birch Award (five times), the Rocky Mountain Book Award (twice), the Hackmatack Award (twice), the Norma Fleck Award, the Shining Willow Award, and others. Fagan is also the author of six novels and three short story collections for adults. He was born and raised in Toronto, where he lives with his family.

Here are some of Cary Fagan’s publications with Tundra:
Mr. Zinger’s Hat (2012)
Ella May and the Wishing Stone (2011)
Jacob Two-Two on the High Seas (2009)
Thing-Thing (2008)
Ten Lessons for Kaspar Snit (2008)
Directed by Kaspar Snit (2007)
My New Shirt (2007)
Ten Old Men and a Mouse (2007)
The Fortress of Kaspar Snit (2004)
Beyond the Dance: A Ballerina’s Life (with Chan Hon Goh) (2002)
Daughter of the Great Zandini (2001)
The Market Wedding (2000)
Gogol’s Coat (1999)

Beyond the Dance Daughter of the Great Zandini Directed by Kaspar Snit Ella May and the Wishing Stone Gogol's Coat Jacob Two-Two on the High Seas Mr Zingers Hat My New Shirt Ten Lesson for Kaspar Snit Ten Old Men and a Mouse The Fortress of Kaspar Snit The Market Wedding Thing-Thing

“Organic prose and authentic dialogue are defining features of Cary Fagan’s prolific body of work, which covers the range of children’s genres from picture books to novels. With a kid’s eye-view Fagan navigates the ups and downs of life with genuine warmth and a wry sense of humour. His stories perambulate a landscape of small adventures, creating moments of epiphany for his characters that ultimately alter and shift their lens on the world. Magic animates his narratives and its transformative power is Fagan’s instrument for constructing a child’s imaginative space, allowing the reader to find themselves in the story. Nuanced and understated in both semantics and voice, Fagan’s stories are a perfect balance between the comic and the dramatic. Artfully rendered narratives and exquisite syntax make each of his tales pearls of meaningful simplicity. Fagan is a master storyteller.” – Jury Citation

The goal of the Metcalf Foundation is to enhance the effectiveness of people and organizations working together to help Canadians imagine and build a just, healthy and creative society. Vicky Metcalf created this award in 1963 to stimulate the writing of literature for Canadian children. She held a passion for storytelling and published several children’s books. The prize has been administered by the Writers’ Trust since 2002.

We would like to thank the jurors – Gwyneth Evans, Susan Perren, and Joanne Schwartz – for all their work. Thank you to everyone who attended the event and cheered for Cary Fagan. Finally, thank you to the Sponsors, Board of Directors, Authors’ Committee, and the staff at Writers’ Trust of Canada.

Tundra Book Group