Tundra Books – Page 179 – Tundra Book Group

November 20, 2013

Invitation to the Little Chicken Duck Book Launch

Please join Tim Beiser and Bill Slavin in celebrating the launch of their newest book, Little Chicken Duck.

When: Sunday, December 1, 2013
Time: 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Where: Type Books
Address: 883 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M6J 1G3‎

Little Chicken Duck
Written by Tim Beiser
Illustrated by Bill Slavin
Hardcover | 24 Pages | Ages 3-7
ISBN: 978-1-77049-392-6
And so begins the charming story of Little Chicken Duck, whose fear of water prevents her from learning to swim. Taken under Froggie’s wing, she is brought into the forest clearing, where each of the birds, in turn, confesses their deepest fear and how they came to terms with it. This heartwarming tale in rhyme is lovingly illustrated by the playful, enchanting illustrations by artist Bill Slavin.

November 11, 2013November 11, 2013

We Remember

“Poppa,” I whisper, “why are you crying?”
“I am remembering,” he says. “A war is something you never forget.”
“Elephants never forget,” I tell him.
“Then let’s be elephants,” he says.
A soft rain falls as a bugler trumpets his notes up into the cold, gray sky. We link our hands and bow our heads.

November 6, 2013

The Canadian Toy Testing Council’s Great Books

The Canadian Toy Testing Council (CTTC), the leading authority on toys in Canada, has used its evaluation process to select Great Books for Children by Canadian creators and publishers. The books range from picture books to novels to non-fiction or science-based fact books. The diversity of titles shows that there are books available to appeal to every child!

CANADIAN TOY TESTING COUNCIL
TOY REPORT 2014 AWARD-WINNING BOOKS
GREAT BOOKS

The Pocket Mommy
Written by Rachel Eugster
Illustrated by Tom Goldsmith
ISBN 978-1-77049-300-1
Ages 3+
“When a pocket-sized mommy joins him in kindergarten, Sammy actually discovers his independence. Children can relate to the story about missing mommy and appreciate the detailed, humorous illustrations. Parents find this a helpful story for children starting school or a new activity.”

JoJo the Giant
Written by Jane Barclay
Illustrated by Esperanca Melo
ISBN: 978-0-88776-976-4
Ages 4+
“This uplifting story about determination and compassion can inspire children to have faith in themselves and look beyond their shortcomings. Children enjoy the expressive, colourful illustrations, the text’s appealing language, and the surprise twist at the end.”

In the Bag! Margaret Knight Wraps It Up
Written by Monica Kulling
Illustrated by David Parkins
ISBN 978-1-77049-239-4
Ages 5-7
“This story about the inventor Margaret Knight is a tale of perseverance and ingenuity. Children, especially young girls, are inspired by a young woman who did things others women could not do, who understood things others said women could not know. Readers also appreciated the detailed illustrations and accessible story, while parents liked the book’s educational quality.”

Hey Canada!
Written by Vivien Bowers
Illustrated by Milan Pavlovic
ISBN 978-1-77049-255-4
Ages 7-10
“Explore Canada from coast to coast to coast with this colorfully illustrated book that mixes photographs, comic strips, narrative and social media. Readers liked the humorous approach to information about Canada’s diverse geography, history, nature, etc. A great resource to understand this country better in an entertaining and accessible way.”

For the full list of Great Books, please click here!

CANADIAN TOY TESTING COUNCIL
TOY REPORT 2014 AWARD-WINNING BOOKS
RECOMMENDED READS

My Achy Body by Liza Fromer and Francine Gerstein, illustrated by Joe Weissmann
My Messy Body by Liza Fromer and Francine Gerstein, illustrated by Joe Weissmann
My Noisy Body by Liza Fromer and Francine Gerstein, illustrated by Joe Weissmann
My Stretchy Body by Liza Fromer and Francine Gerstein, illustrated by Joe Weissmann
Checkers and Dot at the Beach by J. Torres, illustrated by J. Lum
Checkers and Dot on the Farm by J. Torres, illustrated by J. Lum
Creatures Great and Small by Karen Patkau
Creatures Yesterday and Today by Karen Patkau
Ella May and the Wishing Stone by Cary Fagan, illustrated by Geneviève Côté
Here Comes Hortense! by Heather Hartt-Sussman, illustrated by Georgia Graham
Hockey 123 by Christopher Jordan
Hockey ABC by Christopher Jordan
Hockey Colours by Christopher Jordan
Hockey Opposites by Christopher Jordan
It’s Not About the Ball! by Veronika Martenova Charles, illustrated by David Parkins
It’s Not About the Beanstalk! by Veronika Martenova Charles, illustrated by David Parkins
It’s Not About the Straw! by Veronika Martenova Charles, illustrated by David Parkins
Man Overboard! by Curtis Parkinson
Nana’s Summer Surprise by Heather Hartt-Sussman, illustrated by Georgia Graham
Nini by François Thisdale
Noni Is Nervous by Heather Hartt-Sussman, illustrated by Geneviève Côté
Puckster’s First Hockey Game by Lorna Schultz Nicholson, illustrated by Kelly Findley
Puckster’s First Hockey Sweater by Lorna Schultz Nicholson, illustrated by Kelly Findley
Spot the Difference by Tak Bui
The French Fry King by Rogé
Where Do You Look? by Marthe Jocelyn and Nell Jocelyn
Who Needs an Iceberg? by Karen Patkau
Who Needs an Jungle? by Karen Patkau
Winterberries and Apple Blossoms by Nan Forler, illustrated by Peter Etril Snyder

For the complete list of Recommended Reads, please click here.

October 25, 2013October 25, 2013

2013 Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award

The winners were announced on Tuesday night for the 2013 Canadian Children’s Literature Awards. Tundra is extremely happy to tell you that we took home the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award, an award that honours excellence in the illustrated picture book format, for children aged 3 to 8. Congratulations to Cary Fagan and Dušan Petričić!

Mr. Zinger’s Hat
Written by Cary Fagan
Illustrated by Dušan Petričić
“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. The exchanges between his protagonists are so vivid that one feels as if one is eavesdropping in on a real conversation … Petričić’s engaging artwork deftly juxtaposes two distinct styles which portray a real-life setting and an imaginary world … The illustrations vividly depict the storyteller’s wry humour and the boy’s wide-eyed innocence.”

Many thanks to the jury memebers: Lorraine Filyer, former Literature Officer, Ontario Arts Council; Todd Kyle, CEO, Newmarket Public Library and President, Board of Directors, Canadian Children’s Book Centre; and Senta Ross, children’s book reviewer and former elementary teacher and teacher-librarian.

This year, TD Bank Group, sponsor of the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, partnered with CBC Books to present the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Fan Choice Award. Young readers were asked to pick their favourite book from the shortlisted TD Award titles in an online poll. Annaka Leib of Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan, was in attendance to present the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Fan Choice Award to Polly Horvath for her novel, One Year in Coal Harbour. The other winners were:

TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award
One Year in Coal Harbour written by Polly Horvath

Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction
Kids of Kabul: Living Bravely Through a Never-Ending War written by Deborah Ellis

Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People
The Lynching of Louie Sam written by Elizbeth Stewart

John Spray Mystery Award
The Lynching of Louie Sam written by Elizbeth Stewart

Monica Hughes Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy
Seraphina written by Rachel Hartman

Congratulations to all the authors and we have photos from the ceremony on Instagram!

October 16, 2013September 5, 2013

The 2013 Vancouver Writers Fest

The Vancouver Writers Fest turns reading into a community experience, bringing people together to share thoughts, explore ideas, and witness brilliant conversations.

Eric Walters’ young adult novels have won numerous awards, including the Silver Birch, Blue Heron, Red Maple, Snow Willow and Ruth Schwartz Awards, and have received honours from UNESCO’s international award for literature in the service of tolerance. His most recent book is My Name is Blessing.

Stories in Good Company
Wednesday, October 23, 2013 – 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Waterfront Theatre
$17 / $8.50 for school groups
Suitable for grades K–3

Veteran children’s author Eric Walters has written more than 80 books that have won more than 100 awards, so you’re in for an afternoon of great storytelling and creative genius. Walters’ newest story, My Name Is Blessing, follows a young Kenyan boy whose disability turns out to be a blessing. He teams up with two other Canadian children’s authors, Dan Bar-el and Ashely Spires, who will entertain with stories about Binky the cat, who plots an escape from the vet, and Crispin, the scaly dragon who can’t even light his own birthday candles. Come and enjoy an hour in the company of good stories for the young.