Tundra Book Group

June 16, 2015May 7, 2025

The 2014 Shining Willow Award Winner

The Saskatchewan Young Readers’ Choice’s Willow Awards promotes reading by granting a Willow Award to the Canadian books voted by students to be the best of those nominated in three categories: Shining Willow, Diamond Willow, and Snow Willow. The 2014 Willow Awards winners were announced at the SaskEnergy Willow Awards Gala 2015 on May 14, 2015.

Congratulations to K’naan, Sol Guy, and Rudy Gutierrez for winning the Shining Willow Award!

When I Get Older
The Story behind “Wavin’ Flag”
Written by K’naan and Sol Guy
Illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 6-9
ISBN: 978-1-77049-302-5
“Somali-Canadian musician K’naan’s first children’s book tells the inspirational story of his immigration to Canada to escape the Somali War. K’naan uses accessible yet poetic language to draw in young readers, exploring his adjustment to Canada and how music kept him connected to his family. Gutierrez’s artwork powerfully conveys a new immigrant’s sense of alienation.” – Parents Canada

June 15, 2015May 7, 2025

2015/2016 Chocolate Lily Award Shortlist

The short-list for the 2015/2016 Chocolate Lily Book Award has been announced. Tundra has a nominated title under the Picture Book category, congratulations to Linda Bailey and Colin Jack!

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
“This playful picture book encourages children to contemplate the ‘oddles of things you can do with a dinosaur’ through a subtly ironic narrative that speaks directly to them. Two-page spreads capture the many hilarious scenarios…. Buried in all the rambunctious fun, the story leaves young ones with a message that can be applied to real-life situations: if you take the time to think critically and creatively, you can make effective and logical choices.” – Booklist

The Chocolate Lily Award encourages grade school students to read some of the best fiction by British Columbia’s children’s authors and illustrators.

June 14, 2015May 7, 2025

2015 IODE Violet Downey Book Award Winner

The winner was announced for the 2015 IODE Violet Downey Book Award and we want to congratulate Charis Cotter, author of The Swallow: A Ghost Story.

Founded in 1900, IODE Canada is a national women’s charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals through education support, community services, and citizenship programs. For more information about their organization and charitable work, please visit www.iode.ca.

The Swallow: A Ghost Story
Written by Charis Cotter
Hardcover | 320 Pages | Ages 9-12
ISBN: 978-1-77049-591-3
“Spooky tension, friendship and compassion permeate this exquisitely plotted middle-grade ghost story … the story structure weaves its way in and out-riveting and tumbling with tension but never obvious, leaving the readers wondering if anything is really as it seems … readers will seesaw between chills and snorts of laughter. When Cotter delivers the final twist, it is a denouement that becomes a springboard for greater revelations that lead to even greater reader satisfaction. Middle-grade storytelling at its very best-extraordinary.” – Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews

For a look at last year’s winner, click here.

June 13, 2015May 7, 2025

2015 Christopher Award Winner

First presented in 1949, the Christopher Awards were established by founder Father James Keller to salute media that “affirm the highest values of the human spirit.” Their goal is to encourage men, women, and children to pursue excellence in creative arenas that have the potential to influence a mass audience positively. Award winners encourage audiences to see the better side of human nature and motivate artists and the general public to use their best instincts on behalf of others.

Congratulations to Eric Walters and Eugenie Fernandes, Hope Springs has been selected as a winner of the Christopher Award in the Books for Young People Ages 8 and up at the 66th annual Christopher Awards ceremony!

Hope Springs
Written by Eric Walters
Illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 6-9
ISBN: 978-1-77049-530-2
“Based on actual events, this story is one of strength and kindness in the face of fear … the art is expressively large. A series of spreads gives readers a view of Boniface’s world, adding rich colors and patterns of folk art. With the addition of the author’s ‘Story Behind the Story,’ the facts of the origin of Hope Springs allow a retelling of the story through a personal narrative with the aid of photography, a map, and additional explanation.” – School Library Journal

June 12, 2015May 7, 2025

2015/2016 Red Cedar Book Award Nominations

We are happy to announce that two of our titles have been nominated for the 2015/2016 Red Cedar Book Award, hosted by B.C. Young Readers’ Choice Awards!

Audrey (cow)
Written by Dan Bar-el
Illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss
Hardcover | 240 Pages | Ages 7-10
ISBN 978-1-77049-602-6
“Animal Farm meets The Great Escape…. The back-and-forth among the characters is over the top … but Bar-el pulls it off with great charm. The result is purely delightful, as are Tatjana Mai-Wyss’s appropriately vintage-looking spot illustrations. The short first-person passages help move the story along, ending with a comedy-of-errors that culminates in Audrey happily living out her days at an animal sanctuary. Bar-el manages to gently and thoughtfully introduce kids to the concept of the abattoir while also underscoring that a farm’s very purpose is producing food. At its heart, Audrey (Cow) encourages kids to think even as it entertains – the mark of wonderful children’s literature.” – Starred Review, Quill and Quire

The Swallow: A Ghost Story
Written by Charis Cotter
Hardcover | 320 Pages | Ages 9-12
ISBN 978-1-77049-591-3
“Spooky tension, friendship and compassion permeate this exquisitely plotted middle-grade ghost story. …the story structure weaves its way in and out-riveting and tumbling with tension but never obvious, leaving the readers wondering if anything is really as it seems. …readers will seesaw between chills and snorts of laughter. When Cotter delivers the final twist, it is a denouement that becomes a springboard for greater revelations that lead to even greater reader satisfaction. Middle-grade storytelling at its very best-extraordinary.” – Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews

Congratulations to Dan Bar-el, Tatjana Mai-Wyss, and Charis Cotter! The winner will be announced on May 9th at the Red Cedar Gala in Vancouver.