Tundra Book Group

September 14, 2018May 7, 2025

Congratulations to our illustrators in The Original Art Show 2018

The Museum of Illustration at the Society of Illustrators is proud to present The Original Art, an annual exhibit celebrating the fine art of children’s book illustration, on display from November 7, 2018 through January 5, 2019.

The Opening Reception will be held at the Society of Illustrators (128 East 63rd Street, NYC) at 6:00 pm on November 8, 2018 with the Awards Ceremony beginning at 7:00 pm. Tickets are on sale via their website.

Tundra Books would like to congratulate our illustrators who have been selected for The Original Art Show:

Fox and Raccoon
By Lesley-Anne Green
Hardcover | Ages 3-7
ISBN 9781101917961
“An excellent example of co-operation, close friendship, and unselfish behaviour, this en-dearing story is a definite must-have. With exceptionally high-quality artwork created using wool, fabric, and balsa wood, this book would also have excellent applications in a visual arts unit, and should spark discussion about using alternative media in art.” – Resource Links

Great Dog
By Davide Cali
Illustrated by Miguel Tanco
Hardcover | Ages 3-7
ISBN 9781101919170
“A playful story about familial pride and unconditional love…. The message of unconditional love reveals the father as a great dad…. The illustrations feature a strong sense of line and pattern, with hints of turquoise, gold, and brown popping against white backgrounds. Playful design contributes to the success of this warmhearted book.” – Kirkus Reviews

Go Show the World
By Wab Kinew
Illustrated by Joe Morse
Hardcover | Ages 5-9
ISBN 9780735262928
“Morse’s watercolor, digital color, and collage illustrations are masterful. Long limbs and necks, powerful hands, and photorealistic details are characteristic of his style. Most figures are either facing readers or moving towards the right, creating a flow that suggests looking forward to a bright and hopeful future.” – Kirkus Reviews

Goodnight, Anne
By Kallie George
Illustrated by Genevieve Godbout
Hardcover | Ages 3-7
ISBN 9781770499263
“Godbout’s gorgeous pastels and colored pencils are awash in somber, nighttime tones, but the warm and welcoming shades of cheery reds and greens peek through, giving young children a sense of what the lively environment looks like during the day. The characters’ pitch-perfect expressions will delight readers. The dreamy quality of the writing and images are just right for the classic heroine and story.” – School Library Journal

Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein
By Linda Bailey
Illustrated by Julia Sarda
Hardcover | Ages 5-8
ISBN 9781770495593
“Sarda’s distinctive angular illustrations are rife with thoughtful period detail and patterns in rich tones, evoking an appropriately maudlin mood while showcasing how Shelley’s life was a catalyst to art and creativity–and, perhaps, the birth of science fiction.” – Starred Review, Publishers Weekly

Petra
By Marianna Coppo
Hardcover | Ages 3-7
ISBN 9780735262676
“Coppo uses tempera, pastels, and digital collage to create memorable illustrations-you’ve never seen a cuter rock-in natural colors and set against white backdrops. The idea of relative size is seamlessly incorporated into the story, but it’s Petra’s unmitigated confidence in an unpredictable world that makes it a keeper.” – Starred Review, Booklist

The Golden Glow
By Benjamin Flouw
Hardcover | Ages 4-8
ISBN 9780735264120
“The distinctive illustrations are done in a nature-hued palette and have a collage-like style consisting of superimposed angular flat shapes that strikingly render depth and perspective by using darker or lighter tones (as well as white space) and larger or smaller shapes…. The story is solid enough, but it’s the illustrations that steal the show.” – Kirkus Reviews

Trampoline Boy
By Nan Forler
Illustrated by Marion Arbona
Hardcover | Ages 3-7
ISBN 9781770498303
“Artist Marion Arbona (The Good Little Book) enchantingly illustrates those changing landscapes, from the whimsical pink-to-red palette of the familiar backyard to the cool blue-and-white fantastical skyscapes above. Arbona enhances Forler’s spare text with additional energy throughout, including a comical kitty-bird-squirrel on-the-ground drama and an eye-catching kiddie fashion show of stripes and ‘shrooms. With each new ‘BOING,’ author and artist take readers to a world ‘clear and true.'” – Shelf Awareness

September 13, 2018May 7, 2025

#TheGhostRoadTour

Our queen of spooky middle grade, Charis Cotter, released a new book this fall called The Ghost Road and some of our bloggers participated in a blog tour! Check out what they had to say below and pick up a copy of the book if you’re looking for something to get you in the Halloween spirit.

Lisa @ remarkablylisa said “Charis Cotter has a way with words that made it a perfect blend of middle grade and young adult level of writing.”
Jessica @ Vellichors suggested it as a “book to give you the chills and get you ready for Hallowe’en, but still make you feel warm fuzzies.”
Heather @ Krimsuun Pages liked that “Charis Cotter has a way of describing the environment around the characters that is both eerie and beautiful.”
Stephanie @ A Dream Within a Dream called it “a fantastic new addition to the middle grade paranormal genre.”
Katelin @ Pretty Little Library loved “the detailed family history, and the villainous curse that followed the members for generations was a great mystery.”
Cindy @ Cindy’s Love of Books was “pleasantly surprised” and “instantly sucked in.”
Amanda @ Brains, Books, and Brawn said that the characters and “lively” and “feel as if they could actually be real.”
Zoë @ Writing Whimsy thought the setting was “a charming introduction to Newfoundland in the 1970s.”

Such great reviews! If you’re looking for a Halloween book, look no further than The Ghost Road.

The Ghost Road
Written by Charis Cotter
Hardcover | 368 Pages
ISBN: 9781101918890

For the first time, Ruth is heading to Newfoundland to stay with family she’s never met instead of spending the summer traveling with her dad. When she arrives, she finds life in the small community of Buckle very different from Toronto–everyone knows everyone else, and some of them believe in ghosts and The Sight and family curses. Ruth’s cousin Ruby is also staying for the summer, and the two discover they have a lot in common: they both lost their moms when they were two years old, they’re the same age and they even like the same food. But while Ruby believes in spirits and fairies, Ruth believes in science and cold, hard facts.

When they find ominous information on some tombstones in the local cemetery, Ruth and Ruby start investigating their family’s past and discover that twin girls are born in every generation, and every set of twins dies young, leaving their children without mothers. What’s more, one of the twins always has The Sight and can see the Ghost Road that leads to the mysterious lost settlement of Slippers Cove. What happened there? What does it have to do with their family? And who is the ghostly presence that keeps visiting Ruth late at night?

The answers lie somewhere along the Ghost Road . . . if they can only find it.

September 12, 2018May 7, 2025

Cover Reveal: Great Job, Dad! and Great Job, Mom!

Could this be the first cover reveal on our blog? Why, we think it is!

Now, some of you lucky ones might have already seen the F&G cover at ALA Annual in New Orleans this past June, but here they are again – in all their glory with the characters from the books:

Sept 12 Cover Reveal

ABOUT THE BOOKS
Being a dad or mom is eleven jobs in one!

This unique picture book for very young readers celebrates the many jobs being a parent encompasses: A receptionist scheduling important meetings (for play dates), an architect designing buildings (or pillow forts), a curator of modern art (or finger paintings) . . . When Dad or Mom return from their day jobs, they never knows which job will be waiting for them at home, but they know 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.

Available March 26, 2019 in stores and online.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR-ILLUSTRATOR
Holman Wang is a lawyer who also finds time to make children’s books. He and his brother, Jack, are the twin powers behind the board book series Cozy Classics and Star Wars Epic Yarns, which abridge literary and cinematic classics into just twelve words and twelve needle-felted images. Their unique artwork has been exhibited around the world, including at The Original Art exhibition in New York, the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, and the National Museum of Play. Holman lives with his wife and kids in Vancouver, Canada, and is a board member of the Vancouver Writers Festival.

BEHIND-THE-SCENES
Here are some photos from the making of the book, courtesy of Holman Wang.

CHAUFFEUR set up 1

JUDGE set up 1

ACTOR set up 5

DJ set up 1

September 11, 2018May 7, 2025

Instagram Stories to Read Bedtime Stories to Kids

IG storiestime Innovative new series uses Instagram to help parents engage kids in storytime by reading picture books on Instagram Stories.

Tundra Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House Canada, has teamed up with advertising agency Rethink Canada to develop and produce the reading series “StoriesTime” launching September 10th, 2018. The new initiative designed to encourage families to read together, shares celebrated children’s books on Instagram through a series of bedtime Instagram Stories.

New stories featured on @tundrabooks Instagram each Monday and Thursday showcase beautifully illustrated children’s books from a collection of best sellers and new favourites, including Almost a Full Moon, written by Juno Award-winning musician Hawksley Workman. The stories, shot against a cozy home-like setting, and charmingly read, are designed to create an enjoyable experience for the whole family.

IG storiestime titles

“Bedtime reading is a wonderful way for parents to bond with their children, and we are excited to introduce our books to families in this new Instagram approach,” said Vikki VanSickle Associate Director, Marketing & Publicity, Young Readers at Penguin Random House Canada, and also a children’s book author herself.

The idea was inspired by a desire to promote an important childhood ritual, bedtime reading. “Every child should get that experience of bedtime stories. Using Instagram Stories we can use technology to give every kid that chance.” said Mike Dubrick, Partner, Creative Director at Rethink Canada in Toronto. “We see this as a way to encourage greater participation in an essential part of childhood.”

Tundra Books will host two different stories on their Instagram (@tundrabooks) each week over a four week period, the first having debuted September 10th. Each Story will remain active for a 24 hour period.

For more information or for high-resolution photographs please contact Vikki VanSickle at 416.928.2419 or vvansickle@penguinrandomhouse.com.

September 6, 2018May 7, 2025

Finalists for the 2018 Canadian Children’s Book Centre Awards

The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC) has announced the finalists for the following eight major awards for Canadian children’s books:

TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award
Prix TD de littérature canadienne pour l’enfance et la jeunesse
Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award
Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction
Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People
John Spray Mystery Award
Amy Mathers Teen Book Award
Prix Harry Black de l’album jeunesse

The nominated books exemplify some of the best work by Canadian authors and illustrators. The following Penguin Random House Canada Young Reader titles have been chosen:

TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award

When the Moon Comes
Written by Paul Harbridge
Illustrated by Matt James
Tundra Books for ages 4-8
“When the Moon Comes is an idyllic childhood moment frozen in time… The quiet, expressive text combined with the evocative illustrations draws the reader in to the story until you become one with the children, feeling the biting cold of the night air on your cheeks as you glide effortlessly over ice in the silver light of the moon… The illustrations evoke a strong feeling of nostalgia and community friendships and are a perfect complement the text.”

Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award

Little Blue Chair
Written by Cary Fagan
Illustrated by Madeline Kloepper
Tundra Books for ages 3-7
“This circular tale takes readers on a whimsical journey from here to there and back again following the travels of an ordinary little chair… Charming illustrations in a soft palette offer just the right amount of detail to draw in children and give them plenty to explore with each re-reading… This gentle story is a testament to the creative power of the imagination…”

When the Moon Comes
Written by Paul Harbridge
Illustrated by Matt James
Tundra Books for ages 4-9
“This nostalgia filled adventure with friends will resonate with those who love the moon, nature and hockey… The friends’ anticipation and excitement for their nighttime excursion is palpable… James’ strong illustrations emphasize the beauty of winter, the wonder of a dark night, the power of the moon and the fun of an escapade with friends.”

Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People

The Agony of Bun O’Keefe
Written by Heather Smith
Penguin Teen Canada for ages 12 and up
“This sad and beautiful book, rich with soul and heart, gives voice to marginalized characters and addresses weighty topics with sensitivity… I will not forget Bun O’Keefe. She holds a place in my heart as she does in the heart of Busker Boy and will do in the hearts of those who read her story… This is a book that may be a mirror or a window for readers, or a story that builds empathy for the many challenges faced by those not fitting societal expectations.”

Amy Mathers Teen Book Award

The Agony of Bun O’Keefe
Written by Heather Smith
Penguin Teen Canada for ages 12 and up
“A moving and heart-wrenching story about loneliness, innocence and the healing power of finding a family of one’s own… Themes of forgiveness, loyalty, love and healing are woven throughout the story, and combine with humour and unforgettable characters to make a book that will stay with readers long after the last page.”

Everything Beautiful is Not Ruined
Written by Danielle Younge-Ullman
Penguin Teen Canada for ages 14 and up
“An enthralling novel that packs an emotional punch, Everything Beautiful is Not Ruined is the story of one teenaged girl’s personal journey towards forgiveness and self-discovery… Younge-Ullman has crafted a beautiful and compelling story about a mother and daughter, grief and resilience.”

Congratulations to our authors and illustrators!

The winners of the English-language awards will be announced at an invitation-only gala event at Bram and Bluma Appel Salon in Toronto on October 29, 2018. The winners of the French-language awards will be announced at an invitation-only gala event at Scena in Montreal on November 19, 2018.