The Oscars for “12 Years a Slave” struck a chord with Tundra authors Marjorie Gann and Janet Willen. The movie and their book, Five Thousand Years of Slavery, tell the story of Solomon Northup, a free Northern black, who was kidnapped into slavery and transported to Louisiana, where he languished for twelve long years until he was released in 1853. “After seeing the film, many people told us that they were surprised at how brutal slavery was. But as we show in Five Thousand Years of Slavery, cruelty and slavery cannot be separated, not in Northup’s day and not today.” The authors are thrilled that “12 Years a Slave” has won these honors and hope this means that more people will learn the truth about the history of slavery.
You’re Invited to the Launch of The Highest Number in the World
You are invited to the launch of The Highest Number in the World. Please join award-winning author, Roy MacGregor, as he celebrates his newest book with the fantastic staff at Kaleidoscope Kids’ Books!
When: Saturday, March 1, 2014
Time: 1:30 – 3:00 PM
Where: Kaleidoscope Kids’ Books
Address: 1018 Bank Street, Ottawa, ON K1S 3W8
Telephone: (613) 232-7406
Praise for The Highest Number in the World:
“The story’s ending, in which Gabe dreams of her number 9 retired and raised to the rafters, is uplifting in every way. MacGregor’s writing packs an emotional punch without relying on sentimentality (when the coach hands her the disappointing jersey, ‘Gabe’s heart felt as if a skate had just run across it’). Expressive pencil drawings, brightened with color washes, perfectly capture the characters’ feelings. From the moment Grandma begins to share her past and her passion for hockey, the story’s context becomes broader, more complex, and more meaningful. A memorable,
intergenerational picture book perfect for sharing.” – Starred Review, Booklist
“As pleasing as a warm memory.” – Kirkus Reviews
“MacGregor’s text climbs to a heartwarming conclusion, is wonderfully illustrated by St-Lambert’s Geneviève Després (I especially liked the views from the arena’s rafters), and makes for a great companion piece to The Hockey Sweater, Roch Carrier’s Canadian classic.” – The Montreal Gazette
Reading for the Love of It 2014
Tundra Books will be exhibiting at Reading for the Love of It! Please visit us at booth #310 to learn about our new and upcoming books. And, we will be having author signings at our booth! With each author signing, we will be handing out complimentary copies of the title at a first come, first serve basis. So don’t forget! There’s a limited number of signed books to give away!
Marthe and Richard on Thursday, February 20, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.
Viminy 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
When chubby, geeky Wylder Wallace spills lunch on cool and aloof Addy Crowe at Toronto’s Comicon, she dashes to the bathroom, leaving behind the latest issue of her uncle’s steampunk comic hit. Wylder, a fan of the Flynn comics, opens this new one eagerly, astounded to see the girl who was just yelling at him inside the comic. Fascinated, he follows Addy into the bathroom, and the adventure begins…
Marthe on Thursday, February 20, 2014 at 10:30 a.m.
What We Hide
Written by Marthe Jocelyn
Hardcover | 288 Pages | Ages 14+
ISBN 978-1-77049-642-2
eBook 978-1-77049-644-6
Jenny and her brother Tom are off to England. Tom to university to dodge the Vietnam draft, Jenny to be the new girl at Illington Hall, which the students call Ill Hall. This is Jenny’s chance to finally be special and stand out, so when she arrives she tells everybody a lie. But in the small world of Ill Hall, everyone has secrets. Jenny pretends she has a boyfriend. Robbie and Luke pretend they don’t. Brenda won’t tell what happened with the school doctor. Percy won’t tell about his famous dad. Oona lies to everyone. Penelope lies only to herself.
Natale on Friday, February 21, 2014 at 10:15 a.m.
Millhouse
Written by Natale Ghent
Hardcover | 192 Pages | Ages 7-10
ISBN 978-1-77049-639-2
eBook 978-1-77049-641-5
Fans of the I, Freddy series and Charlotte’s Web will be won over by this charming, delightfully told and illustrated story of a petshop misfit – a hairless guinea pig with a penchant for Shakespeare.
In addition, on Thursday, February 20, 2014 at 12:00 p.m., we will be handing out posters and audio books for The Bambino and Me. There’s so much happening! Some of our authors are hosting sessions:
Thursday 9:00-10:15: Margriet Ruurs, “My Librarian is a Camel” at the Kenora Room
Thursday 12:45-2:00: Kevin Sylvester, “Make ’em Laugh and Make ’em Learn” at the Chestnut E & W
Friday 9:00-10:15: Margriet Ruurs, “Amazing Animals” at the Kenora Room
Friday 12:45-2:00: Kevin Sylvester, “Make ’em Laugh and Make ’em Learn” at the Dominion South
Follow @eysreading, @TundraBooks, @nataleghent, @scissorhouse, @richardscrimger, @margrietruurs, and @kevinarts on twitter! You can also follow #RFTLOI for the latest news and updates!
Tuesdays with Tundra 35
Tuesdays with Tundra is a monthly post on our new releases. The following books are available today in stores and online!
The Highest Number in the World
Written by Roy MacGregor
Illustrated by Geneviève Després
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 6-9
ISBN: 978-1-77049-575-3
“MacGregor’s writing packs an emotional punch…. Expressive pencil drawings, brightened with color washes, perfectly capture the characters’ feelings. From the moment Grandma begins to share her past and her passion for hockey, the story’s context becomes broader, more complex, and more meaningful. A memorable, intergenerational picture book perfect for sharing.” – Starred Review, Booklist
The Mystery of the Russian Ransom
Written by Roy MacGregor
Trade Paperback | 176 Pages | Ages 9-12
ISBN: 978-1-77049-420-6
The Screech Owls have never had such a wonderful surprise. A famous Russian billionaire has offered to pay and fly the whole team to his country. He wants the Owls to visit his homeland so the Russians can learn from the Screech Owls’ style of play. The team will play in a tournament while they are there, but even before their first practice on Russian ice, Sarah is taken off the snowy streets. Her kidnappers want ten million rubles in exchange for her safe release! The billionaire wants to pay for Sarah’s safe return, but Travis and his teammates decide to take matters into their own hands.
First Descent
Written by Pam Withers
Trade Paperback | 272 Pages | Ages 12+
ISBN: 978-1-77049-412-1
“…From the first page, when Rex hears a crack of river ice, sees an eight-year-old in peril, and enacts a dramatic rescue in which he must out-paddle an advancing mountain of ice, Withers flings the reader from one perilous adventure to another….” – Booklist
Ella May and the Wishing Stone
Written by Cary Fagan
Illustrated by Geneviève Côté
Trade Paperback | 32 Pages | Ages 4-6
ISBN: 978-1-77049-410-7
“Côté’s…illustrations drive the story along with light and expressive outlines and wash effects… children won’t have any difficulty following the action, and they’ll recognize Ella’s conflicting impulses.” – Publishers Weekly
Peace Walker
The Legend of Hiawatha and Tekanawita
Written by C.J. Taylor
Trade Paperback | 48 Pages | Ages 7-9
ISBN: 978-1-77049-778-8
“In a style reminiscent of oral storytelling, the author weaves the legend of the Confederacy of the Five Nations.” – The Horn Book Guide
Baseball Animals
Written by Christopher Jordan
Hardcover | 24 Pages | Ages 3-7
Fenn / Tundra
ISBN: 978-1-77049-474-9
In MLB Animals, children will learn about the various animals specific to professional baseball and discover why each team selected the particular animal when naming their club.
Baseball Opposites
Written by Christopher Jordan
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 3-7
Fenn / Tundra
ISBN: 978-1-77049-518-0
In MLB Opposites, children will be introduced to an array of familiar opposites clearly defined through bright and colorful photographs from the world of Major League Baseball.
Pub Date Giveaway: In the comments below, please tell us which new February 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, February 17, 2014!
UPDATE: Congratulations to Joy, winner of First Descent by Pam Withers.
2014 Winter Olympics
The 2014 Winter Olympics are taking place from February 7 to 23 in Sochi, Russia. We are looking forward to the 98 events for the next two weeks! We are especially looking forward to . . . HOCKEY! Read these books with your little ones about this amazing winter sport.
The Highest Number in the World
Written by Roy MacGregor
Illustrated by Geneviève Després
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 6-9
ISBN: 978-1-77049-575-3
“The story’s ending, in which Gabe dreams of her number 9 retired and raised to the rafters, is uplifting in every way. MacGregor’s writing packs an emotional punch without relying on sentimentality…. Expressive pencil drawings, brightened with color washes, perfectly capture the characters’ feelings. From the moment Grandma begins to share her past and her passion for hockey, the story’s context becomes broader, more complex, and more meaningful. A memorable, intergenerational picture book perfect for sharing.” – Starred Review, Booklist
Splinters
Written by Kevin Sylvester
Hardcover | 40 Pages | Ages 6-9
ISBN: 978-0-88776-944-3
“Sylvester’s puckish (sorry) take on the Cinderella story is reflected in squiggly, exaggerated watercolor-and-ink pictures. Most of them float on the page as if on the ice, and this works wonderfully, from Cindy’s parents’ frozen basement apartment to the wide rink. The Fairy Goaltender, by the way, works her magic by whacking Cindy across the legs with her magic hockey stick. Goal!” – Kirkus Reviews
The Hockey Sweater
Written by Roch Carrier
Illustrated by Sheldon Cohen
Translated by Sheila Fischman
Hardcover | 24 Pages | Ages 7-9
ISBN: 978-0-88776-169-0
Paperback: 978-0-88776-174-4
“It’s a classic… you can’t really be a Canadian and not read it. It’s become part of our cultural lexicon.” – Canadian Children’s Book News
Ice Time
The Story of Hockey
Written by Michael McKinley
Hardcover | 80 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-88776-762-3
“From the nostalgic cover photos to the colorful action shots inside, this history of ice hockey is a winner. Tales of early hockey legends…and superb photos, some vintage…add enormous appeal. The author’s enthusiasm for ice hockey is infectious, giving the book widespread appeal especially for fans and former players. It is a highly recommended purchase for school and libraries in areas where hockey is played.” – VOYA
Real Stories from the Rink
Written by Brian Mcfarlane
Illustrated by Steve Nease
Trade Paperback | 96 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-88776-604-6
“Read this book and you will sweep the hockey category at the next Jeopardy challenge.” – TV Guide
Hockey Canada’s Learn All About Hockey
Color and Activity
Written by Al Huberts
Illustrated by Frank Bailey
Trade Paperback | 176 Pages | Ages 4-8
ISBN: 978-1-77049-436-7
“Since Learn All About Hockey Coloring and Activity Book really doesn’t have a plot and there is no real characterization, who would choose to ‘read’ it? The answer – Newbies to the game of hockey, especially those who don’t know/understand how the sport is played, how teams are structured, the equipment players, including goalies, need to wear . . . the hockey rink and its ‘parts’, the game’s rules, and especially hockey’s vocabulary, including the visual ‘language’ or hand signals used by the on-ice officials.” – CM Magazine
Screech Owls Series by Roy MacGregor
Puckster Series by Lorna Schultz Nicholson
My First NHL Book by Christopher Jordan
NHLPA
