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Look here! We’re showcasing your favourite authors and illustrators in Vancouver. Linda Bailey, Dan Bar-el, Colin Jack, and Susin Nielsen all have books out this spring and would love to meet you!
When: Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Time: Starting at 7:00 pm
Where: Kidsbooks
Address: 3083 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6K 2G9
Telephone: 604-738-5335
The shortlist for the National Chapter of Canada IODE Violet Downey Book Award has been selected and announced. Congratulations to Susan Laidlaw and Andrew H. Vanderwal!
An Infidel in Paradise
Written by S. J. Laidlaw
Hardcover | 320 Pages | Ages 12+
ISBN 978-1-77049-304-9
eBook 978-1-77049-305-6
“Laidlaw, a globetrotting social worker, puts her firsthand knowledge of faraway lands and cultures to good use in this exciting tale of a Canadian teen’s encounters with some of the best and worst features of a radically different society. Emma’s first-person, present-tense narration is realistic and compelling.” – VOYA Magazine
Death of a King
Written by Andrew H. Vanderwal
Hardcover | 304 Pages | Ages 10+
ISBN 978-1-77049-398-8
eBook 978-1-77049-399-5
“This action-packed historical fantasy, with its breakneck pace, numerous brief chapters, and multiple chases and battles, is perfect for male and reluctant readers, as well as fantasy and historical fiction fans…. The historical details here are impressive…..” – VOYA Magazine
Congratulations to all of the shortlisted authors:
The winner will be announced to the public at the 114th IODE National Annual Meeting on May 30, 2014. The winning author will receive a cash prize of $5,000 and will be invited to attend the award ceremony in London, Ontario.
IODE Canada is a national women’s charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals through education support, community service and citizenship programs.
For a list of past winners or for more information about IODE, please visit www.iode.ca.
Tuesdays with Tundra is a monthly post on our new releases. The following books are available today in stores and online!
If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur
Written by Linda Bailey
Illustrated by Colin Jack
Hardcover | 40 Pages | Ages 3-7
ISBN 978-1-77049-568-5
If you happen to have a dinosaur, lying around your living room, and you don’t know what to do with it … why don’t you use it as a can opener? It will make a terrific nutcracker too! There are oodles of uses for a dinosaur — from a fine umbrella to an excellent kite and a dandy pillow, not to mention a reliable burglar alarm and the perfect excuse to forget your homework. This delightfully absurd exploration of the domestic uses of dinosaurs — and the things dinos just aren’t good for at all — is guaranteed to tickle funny bones and spark imaginations. If you read carefully, you’ll learn how to make your dinosaur last a very long time.
Millhouse
Written by Natale Ghent
Hardcover | 192 Pages | Ages 7-10
ISBN 978-1-77049-639-2
eBook 978-1-77049-641-5
Millhouse is a faint-hearted, hairless guinea pig. A great lover of all things theatrical, most especially the work of William Shakespeare, Milly longs for the limelight and someone to love. However, after the death of his beloved owner, the great actor Sir Roderick Lord Kingswagger, Millhouse is abandoned to a neglected and dusty pet shop filled with other rodents — some rude, some odd, some cute and some downright frightening. Finding himself a reviled outcast and a target of the nasty Pepper Brown ferret, Millhouse sets about trying to find a way back to the theater and a happy home, and in doing so experiences more drama than he could ever have imagined.
Viminy Crowe’s Comic Book
Written by Marthe Jocelyn and Richard Scrimger
Illustrated by Claudia Dávila
Hardcover | 336 Pages | Ages 9-12
ISBN 978-1-77049-479-4
eBook 978-1-77049-480-0
“This wholly imagined fantasy is well-fleshed out and keeps the pages flying with its extremely clever story within a story…. A thrilling and imaginative reminder that adventure and magic can be found anywhere, especially where one least expects it.” – Starred Review, Kirkus
Pub Date Giveaway: In the comments below, please tell us which new May 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, May 19, 2014!
UPDATE: Congratulations to Susan, she will be getting a copy of Millhouse by Natale Ghent.
You are invited to the launch of Viminy Crowe’s Comic Book. Please join authors Marthe Jocelyn and Richard Scrimger, and illustrator Claudia Dávila for an incrediballoo night!
When: Monday, May 12, 2014
Time: 6 to 8 PM
Where: Ben McNally Books
Address: 366 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5H 4B2
Telephone: 416-361-0032
Praise for Viminy Crowe’s Comic Book:
“A harmonious blend of narrative and intertwined graphic sequences finds two preteens at a comics convention closer to the action than they ever imagined…. 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-and even if your mother texts you incessantly.” – Starred Review, Kirkus
Are we a bunch of tweeters? Yes. Follow @scissorhouse, @richardscrimger, @ClaudiaDrawings, and @TundraBooks.
Tuesdays with Tundra is a monthly post on our new releases. The following books are available today in stores and online!
Nine Words Max
Written by Dan Bar-el
Illustrated by David Huyck
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 5-9
ISBN: 978-1-77049-562-3
“Bar-el uses his skills as a storyteller, educator and children’s author to spin an entertaining, quirky tale that celebrates the use of language. The clever and humorous story extols the use of words at a time when today’s media emphasizes brevity and seems to rely on shortened messaging in texts, emails and abbreviated tweets. The rich vocabulary and lively text are well-served by the high energy illustrations. . . . The cartoon-like illustrations are colorful, action-packed and crammed full of riotous detail.” – Highly Recommended, CM Magazine
Becoming Holmes
The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His Final Case
Written by Shane Peacock
Trade Paperback | 264 Pages | Ages 10+
ISBN: 978-1-77049-768-9
“Peacock concludes his stellar saga with a final mystery, shaping the young boy into the man he will become. . . . This is a solid period mystery. Peacock once again uses London as a character, this time as a city deep in mourning for Charles Dickens. Holmes’s actions, decisions, and interactions all demonstrate the roots of the legendary detective he will become. Such characters as Irene Doyle, Malefactor (who will become Moriarty), Lestrade, and even a whiff of Watson all contribute to a feeling of authenticity . . . this is a strong story. The ending is exciting and unexpected. This is an excellent conclusion to a wonderful series.” – VOYA Magazine
The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen
Written by Susin Nielsen
Trade Paperback | 256 Pages | Ages 10+
ISBN: 978-1-77049-654-5
“. . . maybe it’s best that, while the story is infused with the quirkiness of Henry and the other teens, the emphasis should be on the overwhelming anguish experienced by those left behind after unnatural death. Nothing could or should remedy that agony except time, acceptance, and maybe forgiveness of oneself and others. Susin Nielsen shares the complicated nature of grief and grieving while helping the reader see the far-reaching and unpredictable consequences of bullying.” – CanLit for LittleCanadians
Pub Date Giveaway: In the comments below, please tell us which new April 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, April 28, 2014!
UPDATE: Congratulations to James, winner of Becoming Holmes by Shane Peacock.