Tuesdays with Tundra is an ongoing series featuring our new releases. This title is now available in stores and online!
New in Paperback:
Esme’s Birthday Conga Line By Lourdes Heuer Illustrated by Marissa Valdez 76 Pages | Ages 6-9 | Paperback ISBN 9780735269453 | Tundra Books Esme lives with her grandparents on the uppermost floor of the topmost best building. It’s her birthday. Mimi and Pipo gave her a beautiful guitar. But they didn’t plan a birthday party. Esme thinks this is the way with grandparents. They don’t know about parties or piñatas or birthday cake. No problem! Esme is great at problem solving. With the help of her cat, El Toro, and a LOT of help from her neighbors in the topmost best building, the irrepressible Esme gets the birthday party of her dreams.
We can’t wait to see you reading this title! If you share this book online, remember to use #ReadTundra in your hashtags so that we can re-post.
Tundra Books is excited to be publishing The Portal Keeper on October 10, 2023! Fan-favorite author David A. Robertson returns with the fourth book in The Misewa Saga, an epic adventure full of new-found powers, mysterious disappearances of entire towns, and two worlds moving closer and closer together.
“I’m thrilled to finally reveal the cover for the epic fourth book in The Misewa Saga: The Portal Keeper! The cover is illustrated by Winona Nelson and designed by Gigi Lau. The last books in the series will focus more on Eli, so we wanted a new look to focus more on Eli and to highlight the series name, giving it a bigger presence. I hope you like it!”
The Portal Keeper: The Misewa Saga #4 By David A. Robertson 256 Pages | Ages 10+ | Hardcover ISBN 9781774880258 | Tundra Books Release Date: October 10, 2023 Eli and Morgan experience life-changing revelations in this new adventure in the award-winning, Narnia-inspired Indigenous middle-grade fantasy series. While exploring World’s End, an area in Aski they’ve just discovered, Morgan and Emily delight in their developing relationship, while Eli struggles to understand his new-found power: the ability to locate a portal. A shocking turn of events leads them to a new village, Ministik, where the animal beings who live there are going missing. Horrified to discover who is responsible, the children vow to help and turn to friends, old and new. But it’s getting harder and harder to keep the two worlds separate, especially when details of a traditional legend change everything. Forever.
Also by David A. Robertson:
The Barren Grounds: The Misewa Saga #1 By David A. Robertson 256 Pages | Ages 10+ | Paperback ISBN 9780735266124 | Puffin Canada Morgan and Eli, two Indigenous children forced away from their families and communities, are brought together in a foster home in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They each feel disconnected, from their culture and each other, and struggle to fit in at school and at their new home – until they find a secret place, walled off in an unfinished attic bedroom. A portal opens to another reality, AskÃ, bringing them onto frozen, barren grounds, where they meet Ochek (Fisher). The only hunter supporting his starving community, Misewa, Ochek welcomes the human children, teaching them traditional ways to survive. But as the need for food becomes desperate, they embark on a dangerous mission. Accompanied by Arik, a sassy Squirrel they catch stealing from the trapline, they try to save Misewa before the icy grip of winter freezes everything – including them.
The Great Bear: The Misewa Saga #2 By David A. Robertson 288 Pages | Ages 10+ | Paperback ISBN 9780735266155 | Puffin Canada Back at home after their first adventure in the Barren Grounds, Eli and Morgan each struggle with personal issues: Eli is being bullied at school, and tries to hide it from Morgan, while Morgan has to make an important decision about her birth mother. They turn to the place where they know they can learn the most, and make the journey to Misewa to visit their animal friends. This time they travel back in time and meet a young fisher that might just be their lost friend. But they discover that the village is once again in peril, and they must dig deep within themselves to find the strength to protect their beloved friends. Can they carry this strength back home to face their own challenges?
The Stone Child: The Misewa Saga #3 By David A. Robertson 256 Pages | Ages 10+ | Hardcover ISBN 9780735266162 | Puffin Canada After discovering a near-lifeless Eli at the base of the Great Tree, Morgan knows she doesn’t have much time to save him. And it will mean asking for help – from friends old and new. Racing against the clock, and with Arik and Emily at her side, Morgan sets off to follow the trail away from the Great Tree to find Eli’s soul before it’s too late. As they journey deep into the northern woods, a place they’ve been warned never to enter, they face new challenges and life-threatening attacks from strange and horrifying creatures. But a surprise ally comes to their aid, and Morgan finds the strength to focus on what’s most important: saving her brother’s life.
On the Trapline By David A. Robertson Illustrated by Julie Flett 48 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735266681 | Tundra Books A boy and Moshom, his grandpa, take a trip together to visit a place of great meaning to Moshom. A trapline is where people hunt and live off the land, and it was where Moshom grew up. As they embark on their northern journey, the child repeatedly asks his grandfather, “Is this your trapline?” Along the way, the boy finds himself imagining what life was like two generations ago – a life that appears to be both different from and similar to his life now. This is a heartfelt story about memory, imagination, and intergenerational connection that perfectly captures the experience of a young child’s wonder as he is introduced to places and stories that hold meaning for his family.
The Song That Called Them Home By David A. Robertson Illustrated by Maya McKibbin 52 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735266704 | Tundra Books One summer day, Lauren and her little brother, James, go on a trip to the land with their Moshom (grandfather). After they’ve arrived, the children decide to fish for dinner while Moshom naps. They are in their canoe in the middle of the lake when the water around them begins to swirl and crash. They are thrown overboard and when Lauren surfaces she sees her brother being pulled away by the Memekwesewak – creatures who live in and around water and like to interfere with humans. Lauren must follow the Memekwesewak through a portal and along a watery path to find and bring back James. But when she finally comes upon her brother, she too feels the lure of the Memekwesewak’s song. Something even stronger must pull them back home.
Hello book lovers! The Tundra Books team is headed to ALA’s Annual Conference and Exhibition happening in Chicago on June 22nd to June 27th. We’ll be showcasing many of our wonderful titles at booth 2715! Come by and say hello to our Marketing and Publicity Senior Associate, Sam Devotta; our Marketing and Publicity Associate Director, Sylvia Chan; our Associate Publisher, Elizabeth Kribs; our Publisher, Tara Walker; and our CEO Kristin Cochrane!
We have lots of great programming scheduled with our awesome guest authors, so be sure to check out our list of panels and signings below!
Panels:
Saturday, June 24th
From 10:30am to 11:20am at the Graphic Novel/Gaming Stage (next to booth 1326), join author Ben Clanton for the Booklist Graphic Novels Panel, Part I.
From 1:00pm to 1:50pm at the Author Autographing Station 4, join Ben Clanton for a signing of A Super Scary Narwhalloween.
Sunday, June 25th
From 10:30am to 11:20am at the Diversity in Publishing Stage (next to booth 5240), join author Deke Moulton for a talk on Anti-Semitism and Re-Writing Stories in Middle Grade.
From 12:30pm to 1:20pm at the Graphic Novel/Gaming Stage (next to booth 1326), join author Ben Clanton for Putting the ‘Sea’ in Comics: Ben Clanton Talks Narwhal and Jelly and Comics for Young Readers.
From 2:30pm to 3:30pm in McCormick Place (Room W183a), join author Jackie Khalilieh for a panel on Advancing Social Justice With Young Adult Literature.
Monday, June 26th
From 10:30am to 11:20am at the Chapter One Stage (Next to Booth 1342), join author Jackie Khalilieh for a talk on YA Romance for the Neurodiverse.
Signings:
We will also be hosting signings at booth 2715! This is based on first come, first serve. One copy per person while quantities last and you must be in line for the signing to receive a complimentary copy.
Looking for literary assets for your schools and libraries? We’ve got you covered, ask about our catalogs, brochures, posters, postcards, bookmarks, buttons, art cards, sticker sheets, and pop sockets!
And don’t forget to follow us online @tundrabooks as we post live from the show floors!
Tuesdays with Tundra is an ongoing series featuring our new releases. These titles are now available in stores and online!
I Am a Meadow Mermaid By Kallie George Illustrated by Elly MacKay 32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735271371 | Tundra Books A little girl dreams of adventures in the water and feels the spirit of the ocean all around her . . . even though she lives on the prairie, with flat land as far as the eye can see. But she won’t let a little detail like that stand in the way of being a meadow mermaid! Frolicking in the “waves” of wheat and “oceans” of grass, spying sea horses and . . . a shipwrecked sailor? Even if that shipwreck is actually an overturned bike and the sailor a new kid from a neighboring field, it’s still a chance to make a new friend, one with an imagination as expansive and a love of the ocean as deep as the little girl’s own. This fanciful, whimsical picture book will charm young mermaids and little pirates everywhere, and inspire them to embrace the spirit of the ocean in the things around them, no matter where they live!
Something More By Jackie Khalilieh 336 Pages | Age 12+ | Hardcover ISBN 9781774882139 | Tundra Books Fifteen-year-old Jessie, a quirky loner obsessed with the nineties, is diagnosed as autistic just weeks before starting high school. Determined to make a fresh start and keep her diagnosis a secret, Jessie creates a list of goals that range from acquiring two distinct eyebrows to getting a magical first kiss and landing a spot in the school play. Within the halls of Holy Trinity High, she finds a world where things are no longer black and white and quickly learns that living in color is much more fun. But Jessie gets more than she bargained for when two very different boys steal her heart, forcing her to go off-script.
Something More is also available today in Audiobook!
New in Paperback:
Followers By Raziel Reid 336 Pages | Ages 14+ | Paperback ISBN 9780735263826 | Tundra Books After a disastrous date results in her arrest, sixteen-year-old Lily Rhode is horrified to discover her mugshot is leaked on a gossip website. Lily is the niece of Whitney Paley, a Hollywood housewife and star of reality show Platinum Triangle, a soap-opera-style docu-series in the vein of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and The Hills, revolving around several glamorous families living in the Beverly Hills, Bel Air and Holmby Hills neighborhoods of Los Angeles. When Lily’s mom kicks her out of their trailer home in the Valley, Whitney (Lily’s mom’s estranged sister) invites her to live with her, her movie-star husband, Patrick, and their daughter, Hailey. Lily is set up in the pool house and thrust into the company of reality-star offspring – kids who are born with silver spoon emojis on their feed. Lily’s cousin Hailey and the other teens have lived their entire lives on camera and are masters of deception, with Hailey leading the pack. As Lily learns from the Paleys how to navigate her newfound fame, she finds herself ensnared in the unfolding storylines. What Lily doesn’t know is that she’s just a pawn being used on the show to make the Paleys look sympathetic to viewers while distracting from on-set sexual misconduct rumors surrounding super hero dad Patrick Paley . . . Is Lily safe under Patrick’s roof? Or will Lily be Patrick’s downfall? If she isn’t destroyed by Hailey first. When Lily catches the eye of Hailey’s designated leading man Joel Strom – it’s war!
Narwhal’s School of Awesomeness By Ben Clanton 80 Pages | Ages 6-9 | Paperback ISBN 9780735262553 | Tundra Books Dive into four new stories about Narwhal and Jelly becoming substitute teachers! The two best friends come across an enthusiastic school of fish one morning. Unfortunately, Mr. Blowfish, their teacher, has come down with a cold, and class will have to be cancelled . . . until Professor Knowell (Narwhal) and Super Teacher (Jelly) volunteer to help out! The first subject is Wafflematics, in which Narwhal and Jelly calculate the number of waffles needed to feed the class. That’s what we’re chalking about! Next up is a super-fun science scavenger hunt, followed by a game of “Tag! You’re Awesome!” at recess. Narwhal’s teaching methods may be unconventional, but with Jelly’s help, the two teach (and learn) with their trademark positivity and humor. Before they know it, the day is over . . . but what grade will Narwhal receive from Jelly?
We can’t wait to see you reading and listening to these titles! If you share these books online, remember to use #ReadTundra in your hashtags so that we can re-post.
Father’s Day is right around the corner and what better way to celebrate the dads (and dad-like figures!) in your life than with a book?
A Bed of Stars By Jessica Love 40 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover ISBN 9781536212396 | Candlewick Going to bed each night can be dark and scary. The night sky stretches out endlessly, making one sensitive child feel small in comparison. So Dad comes up with a plan: a night of camping out in the desert. Together, the two load up Darlin’, the old pickup truck, and drive over the mountain with the radio on, stopping to shoot the breeze at a junkyard before setting up camp, jumping in sand dunes, and lying back to name all the birds they can see. After sunset, when the young thinker feels tiny against the vast sky, Dad knows just what to ask – and just what to say – to soothe away fears. Maybe this night spent under the stars (and a surprise from Mom and the baby later) are just what is needed to show that the universe is a friendly place. From acclaimed author-illustrator Jessica Love comes a story of small moments between father and child that affirms the comfort of finding one’s place in the world.
Banana By Zoey Abbott 40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735271418 | Tundra Books My dad is the best. We love hanging out together. Recently, he got this banana. At first, we had a great time with the banana – it does cool stuff and it’s really fun. But lately he’s spending too much time with the banana. He’s distracted, and he’s not enjoying the things he used to enjoy, like hanging out with me. I don’t think this banana is good for him. It’s time to take action. Zoey Abbott tackles parental distraction in a quirky and hilarious way in this parable about too much of a good thing. With her trademark wit and engaging illustrations, she introduces a very wise kid and a not-so-wise parent who eventually see eye to eye in a story that will delight readers of all ages.
Bluey: Father’s Day Fun 40 Pages | Ages 4-6 | Paperback ISBN 9780593386873 | Penguin Young Readers Licenses Celebrate Father’s Day with this fun craft activity book based on the wildly successful animated series Bluey, as seen on Disney+ Find the footy, play Rug Island, create some leaf art, and more with Bluey, Bingo, and their awesome Dad, Bandit!
Daddy By Leslie Patricelli 26 Pages | Ages 0-3 | Board Book ISBN 9781536203820 | Candlewick Baby’s daddy is big and strong, and his legs are so, so long. He plays horsey, he sings, he cooks, he cleans – this daddy can do anything! In a sweet, simple board book threaded with signature humor, Leslie Patricelli pays tribute to the bond between a little one and a doting daddy.
Great Job, Dad! By Holman Wang 32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Paperback ISBN 9781774880371 | Tundra Books This unique picture book for very young readers celebrates the many jobs being a parent encompasses: A receptionist scheduling important meetings (for playdates), an architect designing buildings (or pillow forts), an inspector (of diapers!) . . . When Dad gets home from his day job at the office, he never knows which job will be waiting for him, but he knows it’ll be fun! Each rhyming spread features intimate, familiar, comforting and humorous depictions of family life through a wholly original – and amazing! – needle-felted lens.
Guess How Much I Love You By Sam McBratney Illustrated by Anita Jeram 40 Pages | All Ages | Hardcover ISBN 9780763674489 | Candlewick Press Sometimes, when you love someone very, very much, you want to find a way of describing how much you treasure them. But, as Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare discover, love is not an easy thing to measure! For two decades, Sam McBratney’s timelessly endearing story, beautifully rendered in Anita Jeram’s exquisite watercolors, has captured the deep and tender bond between parent and child. Guess How Much I Love You is one of the world’s best-loved picture books. Download a pop-up Father’s Day card here.
Hair Love By Matthew A. Cherry Illustrated by Vashti Harrison 32 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover ISBN 9780525553366 | Kokila Zuri’s hair has a mind of its own. It kinks, coils, and curls every which way. Zuri knows it’s beautiful. When Daddy steps in to style it for an extra special occasion, he has a lot to learn. But he LOVES his Zuri, and he’ll do anything to make her – and her hair – happy. Tender and empowering, Hair Love is an ode to loving your natural hair – and a celebration of daddies and daughters everywhere.
How to Surprise a Dad By Jean Reagan Illustrated by Lee Wildish 32 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Paperback ISBN 9780593301920 | Dragonfly Books So you want to surprise your dad? You’re in luck! The pages of this book are full of tips on how to become a super dad surpriser, including tips for things you can make, do, or find-just for your dad. Be sure to read up on: · Yummy treats and presents for a dad · What to do if he starts getting suspicious · How to prepare for the big moment (where to hide everyone, and how to practice whispering “Surprise!”)
I Love Dad with The Very Hungry Caterpillar By Eric Carle 32 Pages | Ages 3-5 | Hardcover ISBN 9781524785895 | World of Eric Carle Celebrate Dad’s special day by saying “I Love You”-with a little help from The Very Hungry Caterpillar. This bright and colorful book is the ideal way to tell the person you call “Dad” how much you appreciate him.
I Love You, Daddy! By Edie Evans Illustrated by Melanie Demmer 16 Pages | Ages 2-5 | Hardcover ISBN 9781984892515 | Golden Books Each page of this sweet rhyming Little Golden Book celebrates the love shared between dads and their young children. Spending time together camping, gardening, at the petting zoo, or even just hanging out at home is extra-special when Daddy is there! Filled with fun, colorful illustrations, this is a great gift for Valentine’s Day or Father’s Day – and a perfect read-aloud for any day!
It’s Great Being a Dad By Dan Bar-el Illustrated by Gina Perry 32 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover ISBN 9781770496057 | Tundra Books A gang of mythical creatures is roaming around a magical land having a great time, until Bigfoot gets his foot stuck in a tree trunk and Unicorn gets her horn impaled on a table and Robot’s saw-arm gets rusted into position. But have no fear! Dad is there to fix things – even when a Sneaky Flying Alligator Pirate steals the Fairy Queen Ballerina Doctor’s wand. A hilarious story about imagination, play and the best parts about being a dad.
Just Me and My Dad By Mercer Mayer 24 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Paperback ISBN 9780307118394 | Random House BFYR Mercer Mayer’s Little Critter is going on a camping trip with his dad in this classic, funny, and heartwarming book. Whether he and his dad are canoeing, fishing, or building a campfire, parents and children alike will relate to this beloved story. A perfect gift for Father’s Day . . . or any day!
Leo Loves Daddy By Anna McQuinn Illustrated by Ruth Hearson 32 Pages | Ages 0-3 | Board Book ISBN 9781623542412 | Charlesbridge Perfect for Father’s Day or every day, this sweet companion to Leo Loves Mommy and spin-off of the best-selling Lola Reads series celebrates the love between young children and their dads. Leo and Daddy love to make pancakes for breakfast, dance to the beat, and go to the park together. When it’s time to sleep, Daddy’s hugs are the snuggliest.
My Dad Is Awesome by Bluey and Bingo 48 Pages | Ages 3-5 | Hardcover ISBN 9780593519653 | Penguin Young Readers Licenses Bluey and Bingo share why their dad is awesome in this hilarious and heartwarming picture book, featuring everyone’s favorite Heelers. Based on the on the wildly successful animated series, Bluey, as seen on Disney+. Everyone loves Bandit, but especially Bluey and Bingo! He’s always making up funny games, playing Daddy Robot, and taking them on exciting adventures. This is the perfect book to celebrate your dad on Father’s Day, or any day, and share what makes him awesome!
Sharon, Lois & Bram’s Skinnamarink By Sharon Hampson, Lois Lilienstein, and Bram Morrison, with Randi Hampson Illustrated by Qin Leng 40 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735264496 | Tundra Books What does “skinnamarink” mean? You may not find its definition in a dictionary, but the meaning is clear to the generations of children who sang along: friendship, happiness, sharing, community and, ultimately, love. This song has been sung in weddings and in classrooms. It can be fun and silly – especially with the accompanying actions! And it has a way of bringing people together. Based on the classic folk song made famous by a beloved trio of children’s entertainers, this picture book is best sung aloud! “Skinnamarink” is a timeless anthem of love and inclusion.
Tadpoles By Matt James 40 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover ISBN 9780823450053 | Neal Porter Books One rainy morning, a father and son bond over a walk through a field full of freshly formed ponds teeming with tadpoles. In this tender reflection on the fleeting rhythms of the natural world and the enduring love of family, a boy and his father spend a morning exploring an ephemeral pond, a delicate nursery formed by rainfall, perfect for sheltering tadpoles from predators as they grow. The boy’s father doesn’t live with him anymore, and the ponds may only be temporary, but together they make memories that just might last a lifetime.
The Bench By Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex Illustrated by Christian Robinson 40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735272163 | Tundra Books In The Bench, Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, touchingly captures the evolving and expanding relationship between father and son and reminds us of the many ways that love can take shape and be expressed in a modern family. Evoking a deep sense of warmth, connection, and compassion, The Duchess’s debut children’s book gives us a window into shared and enduring moments between a diverse group of fathers and sons-moments of peace and reflection, trust and belief, discovery and learning, and comfort and nurture. Working in watercolor for the first time, Caldecott-winning, bestselling illustrator Christian Robinson expands on his signature style to bring joy and softness to the pages, reflecting the beauty of a father’s love through a mother’s eyes. With a universal message, this thoughtful and heartwarming read-aloud is destined to be treasured by families for generations to come.
The Family Tree By Sean Dixon Illustrated by Lily Snowden-Fine 48 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735267664 | Tundra Books When her teacher gives her class a simple family tree assignment, Ada is stumped. How can she make her family fit into this simple template? Ada is adopted. She can see where to put her parents on the tree, but what about her birth mom? Ada has a biological sister, but her sister has different adoptive parents – where do they go on the tree? But with the help of her friends and family, Ada figures it out. She creates her family tree . . . and so much more. Loosely based on the author’s own experience, this moving story explores the different ways families are created and how the modern family is more diverse and welcoming than ever before.
The Hockey Sweater By Roch Carrier Illustrated by Sheldon Cohen Translated by Sheila Fischman 24 Pages | Ages 0-3 | Board Book ISBN 9780735268685 | Tundra Books In the days of Roch’s childhood, winters in the village of Ste. Justine were long. Life centered around school, church, and the hockey rink, and every boy’s hero was Montreal Canadiens hockey legend Maurice Richard. Everyone wore Richard’s number 9. They laced their skates like Richard. They even wore their hair like Richard. When Roch outgrows his cherished Canadiens sweater, his mother writes away for a new one. Much to Roch’s horror, he is sent the blue and white sweater of the rival Toronto Maple Leafs, dreaded and hated foes to his beloved team. How can Roch face the other kids at the rink?
Where’s Baby? By Anne Hunter 40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735264984 | Tundra Books Papa Fox is looking for Baby Fox, who is just out of his sight . . . but not ours! In this clever introduction to prepositions, a near-sighted Papa is looking for his baby. Is Baby up in the tree? Is Baby under the log? Is Baby around the corner? Where could Baby be? Readers will delight in spotting the little fox on every page as Papa wanders the forest, encountering other animals all along the way, but never quite able to spot his own baby. Anne Hunter’s delicate and lovely illustrations with their limited palette highlight the humor of this adorable hide-and-seek tale.
