2014 IODE Violet Downey Book Award Shortlist

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 ParadiseAn 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 KingDeath 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:

  • Namesake by Sue MacLeod
  • The Power of Harmony by Jan L. Coates
  • September 17th by Amanda West Lewis

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 39

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 DinosaurIf 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.

MillhouseMillhouse
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 Crowes Comic BookViminy 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.

TCAF 2014

TCAF is The Toronto Comic Arts Festival. It is a week long celebration of comics and graphic novels and their creators, which culminates in a two-day exhibition and vendor fair featuring hundreds of comics creators from around the world. Other Festival events include readings, interviews, panels, workshops, gallery shows, art installations, and much more!

Saturday, May 10th, 2014 from 9am-5pm
Sunday, May 11th, 2014 from 11am-5pm
Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street, Toronto
Free admission! Follow TCAF on Twitter.

Presenting Viminy Crowe’s Comic Book
Viminy Crowes Comic BookWritten by Marthe Jocelyn and Richard Scrimger
Illustrated by Claudia Dávila
Hardcover | 336 Pages | Ages 9-12
ISBN 978-1-77049-479-4
Event date: Saturday, May 10, 2014
Event time: 11:45am to 12:30pm
Location: Beeton Auditorium, Toronto Reference Library.
Signing at Little Island Comics table to follow.

Some of our authors and illustrators will also have an exhibitor’s table!
Nine Words Max Alison Dare and the Heart of the Maiden Checkers and Dot Cyclist BikeList
Booth 171: David Huyck, illustrator of Nine Words Max
Booth B1: J. Torres, author of the Alison Dare and Checker and Dot series
Booth: 273-275: Ramón K. Pérez, illustrator of Cyclist BikeList

You’re Invited to the Launch of Viminy Crowe’s Comic Book

Viminy Crowe InviteYou 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.

Tundra Book Group