Keep Toronto Reading 2010

Keep Toronto Reading starts tomorrow! You can view the full schedule of  programs on the Toronto Public Library’s website. Here are some events featuring Tundra authors and illustrators:

Media and Graphic Techniques in Children’s Books

North York Central Library
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
1:30 pm – 2:45 pm

Learn how to make illustrated books. Artist Dušan Petričić will teach you to look at picture books in a new way. Classes will be invited. Ages 9-12. Drop in.

Meet Shane Peacock

Highland Creek
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Shane Peacock, the author of the popular Boy Sherlock Holmes series, shares his love for the sleuth.

Books We Love with Dave Bidini

Bloor/Gladstone
Thursday, April 22, 2010
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Author and musician Dave Bidini reads from his favourite books. A founding member of the acclaimed band The Rheostatics, Bidini has published several books about sports and music for adults and youth.

We Love Detectives

Lillian H. Smith
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
10:00 am – 11:30 am

Meet Shane Peacock, the author of the popular Boy Sherlock Holmes series. Followed by a tour of the Osborne Collection of Early Children’s Books.

Meet Joanne Schwartz

Davenport
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Local Davenport author Joanne Schwartz talks about her latest children’s book, Our Corner Grocery Store, which is based on a real grocery store in the area.

Each One Remembered – On se souvient de chacun

Award-winning author Linda Granfield, has been very involved in a school poppy program, Each One RememberedOn se souvient de chacun, for Vimy Ridge Day. On Friday, April 9, Canadians are invited to make poppies to pay tribute to all of those who served in the First World War. To participate in this program and for more information, please click on the links for English and French.

We applaud Linda Granfield for her heroic efforts on acknowledging our beloved veterans!

Teachers, librarians, and parents may also want share these books:

Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion
By Jane Barclay
Illustrated by Renné Benoit
ISBN 978-0-88776-951-1
Ages 4-7

“…beautifully modulated picture book about war and remembrance…. Renné Benoit’s subtle gouache and watercolour illustrations are perfectly attuned to Jane Barclay’s story.” – The Globe and Mail

The War to End All Wars: The Story of World War I
By Jack Batten
ISBN 978-0-88776-879-8
Ages 10+

“…Batten’s account is a model of lucidity, a good place for a young reader to start. Batten’s clean, intelligent prose makes this highly readable and comprehensible….” – The Toronto Star

2009 Book of the Year Award Finalists

ForeWord Reviews announced the finalists in the 2009 Book of the Year Awards. We would like to congratulate the following authors and illustrators on their nominations!

Juvenile Nonfiction Finalist:

A Thousand Years of Pirates
By William Gilkerson
ISBN 9780887769245
96 Pages
“… A Thousand Years of Pirates, manages to preserve the historical reality of pirates while still maintaining the captivating image of pirates that so strongly interests people, especially children…. At the same time, Gilkerson captures the adventure of the high seas in his illustrations. …a great example of how history can be made interesting to young readers….” – ForeWord Reviews

Juvenile Fiction Finalist:

Jacob Two-Two on the High Seas
By Cary Fagan
Illustrated by DuÅ¡an Petričić
ISBN 9780887768958
112 Pages
“Fagan has produced a lively tale of pirates, transatlantic voyages, and the usual heedless parents…” – Books for Young People: Books of the Year,  Quill & Quire

YA Fiction Finalist:

Vanishing Girl
By Shane Peacock
ISBN 9780887768521
320 Pages
“… The richly descriptive prose offers a vivid sense of both Victorian life and the diverse characters, especially complex, intriguing, and sympathetic Sherlock….” – Booklist

A Green Read

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th by tucking into a great novel based on Irish folklore:

Finn the half-Great
By Theo Caldwell
ISBN 978-0-88776-931-3
US $22.95
CAN $24.99
Ages 11+

Praise:
“The humour and trickery of Caldwell’s sources shines through, lifting it out of the humdrum war stuff of conventional fantasy…” – The Toronto Star

Be one of the first 5 people to answer this St. Patrick’s Day trivia question and WIN a copy of Finn the half-Great by Theo Caldwell.

What is the official emblem of Ireland?  Hint: it’s not the Shamrock.

Good luck!

Read Theo Caldwell’s column about Saint Patrick in the National Post: http://www.theocaldwell.com/2010/03/saint-patrick-and-selfless-life.html

Tundra Book Group