Jean Throop Children’s Book Award Winner

The Municipal Chapter of Toronto IODE’s Jean Throop Children’s Book Award has selected Mr. Zinger’s Hat as the winner! Congratulations to Cary Fagan and DuÅ¡an Petričić!

Mr Zingers HatMr. Zinger’s Hat
Written by Cary Fagan
Illustrated by Dušan Petričić
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 4-6
ISBN: 978-1-77049-253-0
“Every child needs a Mr. Zinger – and his hat! – in his or her life…. This book oh-so-softly brings across a sweet, multigenerational message about sharing the power of imagination.” – Booklist

Since 1974 the Municipal Chapter of Toronto IODE has presented an award intended to encourage the publication of books for children between the ages of 6 and 12 years. The award and prize are given to a book judged to contribute to children’s reading, and is chosen by a Committee set up by the Municipal Chapter of Toronto IODE.
Mr Zingers Hat

You’re Invited to the Launch of Miss Mousie’s Blind Date

Miss Mousies Blind Date You are invited to the launch of Miss Mousie’s Blind Date. Please join the award-winning author and illustrator team, Tim Beiser and Rachel Berman, as they celebrate their second collaboration!

When: Saturday, April 6, 2013
Time: 2 pm to 4 pm
Where: I N G R A M G A L L E R Y
Address: 49 Avenue Road, Toronto, ON M5R 2G3
Telephone: 416-929-2220
RSVP: RSVPCanada@randomhouse.com

In addition, the artwork from Miss Mousie’s Blind Date will be exhibited at Ingram Gallery from April 6-18, 2013.

Praise for Miss Mousie’s Blind Date:

Miss Mousies Blind Date“…Beiser’s playful rhymes ferry us merrily along to the tale’s satisfying resolution. Realizing they’re both pretending to be something they’re not, Miss Mousie calls a truce, which the mole accepts on bended knee, proposing, ‘If you’ll be you, then I’ll be me.’ Beiser and illustrator Rachel Berman previously collaborated on the equally enchanting Governor General’s Literary Award finalist Bradley McGogg, the Very Fine Frog. Once again, Berman’s formally attired creatures, their delicate hands and oversized heads rendered in muted tones, show Beatrix Potter’s influence in the best possible way. This is an utterly charming book and a gentle introduction to the lifelong perils of spring fever.” – Starred Review, Quill & Quire

“…Beiser’s sprightly text has warmth, heart and a valuable lesson. Berman’s pictures, in watercolor and gouache on rag, suggest Beatrix Potter, ably matching the crisp elegance of the story.” – Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews

“…The perfect collaboration of Tim Beiser and Rachel Berman takes Miss Mousie from crushing on the handsome rat to despairing over his disregard for her and finally to delight, with an ending that will please even those too young to know the pangs of first love but will understand the value of being oneself.” – CanLit for LittleCanadians

Manitoba Book Award Shortlist

The Manitoba Writers’ Guild and the Association of Manitoba Book Publishers have announced the Manitoba Book Awards shortlists. We would like to congratulate Eva Wiseman! The Last Song has been shortlisted for the McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award.

The Last SongThe Last Song
Written by Eva Wiseman
Hardcover | 232 Pages
Ages 10 and up
ISBN: 978-0-88776-979-5
eBook: 978-0-88776-980-1
“With spies and informers on all sides, the story builds to a gripping climax … readers will easily be caught by the young girl’s personal heartbreak and conflict and will want to find out more.” – Booklist

Congratulations to the other shortlist titles in this category: 7 Generations: A Plains Cree Saga by David Alexander Robertson and The Green-Eyed Queen of Suicide City by Kevin Marc Fournier.

The awards will be presented at the Manitoba Book Awards gala, on Sunday April 28th at the West End Cultural Centre and hosted by Ismaila Alfa. Doors open at 7:15 p.m., with the ceremony beginning at 8:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Eva Wiseman won the McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award (Young Adult Category) for Puppet in 2010 and My Canary Yellow Star in 2001. Fingers crossed for another win!

The BC Book Prizes Finalists

The West Coast Book Prize Society has announced the finalists for the 2013 BC Book Prizes. The BC Book Prizes, established in 1985, celebrate the achievements of British Columbia writers. Congratulations to our authors and illustrators:

Finalist, Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize
The Reluctant Journal of Henry K LarsenThe Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen
Written by Susin Nielsen
Hardcover | 256 Pages
Ages 10 and up
ISBN: 978-1-77049-372-8
eBook: 978-1-77049-373-5
“…With fully developed adult and child characters and a solid sense of middle school humor, the author has crafted an insightful and nuanced novel about bullying and suicide, and familial love and resilience.” – Starred, School Library Journal

Finalist, Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize
Hey CanadaHey Canada!
Written by Vivien Bowers
Illustrated by Milan Pavlovic
Hardcover | 72 Pages
Ages 7-10 years
ISBN: 978-1-77049-255-4
“This is probably the best Canadian travel book written for pre-teens…. Filled with facts, simply related history, engaging tales and colour illustrations presented as souvenirs, postcards and slides, Wow Canada! is guaranteed to stimulate a youngster’s urge to explore the country.” – The Globe and Mail

The 28th Annual BC Book Prizes awards gala will be held on Saturday, May 4 at Government House in Victoria. Gala tickets include a sit down dinner and an open bar and will be available for purchase online on the BC Book Prize website beginning March 19th. For more information, please visit www.bcbookprizes.ca.

2013 Willow Award Nominations

The Willow AwardsThe Saskatchewan Young Readers’ Choice Award (SYRCA) has three awards-the Shining Willow Award, kindergarten to grade 3; the Diamond Willow Award, grades 4 to 6; and the Snow Willow Award, grades 7 to 9. Ten books written by Canadian authors are nominated at each level. We are happy to announce the following Tundra nominations for the 2013 Willow Awards:

Shining Willow:
Here Comes Hortense!Here Comes Hortense!
Written by Heather Hartt-Sussman
Illustrated by Georgia Graham
Hardcover | 32 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-221-9
What could be more fun for a six-year-old than having your nana and her new husband take you to a theme park? But Nana and Bob announce that they’ve planned a surprise: they are going to be joined by Bob’s granddaughter, Hortense. It turns out to be the worst surprise ever.

Diamond Willow:
A Tinfoil SkyA Tinfoil Sky
Written by Cyndi Sand-Eveland
Hardcover | 224 Pages
Pub Date: January 2012
ISBN: 978-1-77049-277-6
eBook: 978-1-77049-294-3
Twelve-year-old Mel and her mother Cecily live in poverty, and eventually end up homeless. When Cecily is jailed, Mel must live with her grandmother Gladys, who is very distrustful. Mel is determined to beat incredible odds and steer her own destiny, but she has some tough decisions to make.

Snow Willow:
The Reluctant Journal of Henry K LarsenThe Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larson
Written by Susin Nielsen
Hardcover | 256 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-372-8
eBook: 978-1-77049-373-5
Henry’s family is trying to put back the pieces of their lives, after the worst-case bully scenario leaves them each shattered in their own way. Henry tries to keep his past a secret, and his new group of oddball friends help him navigate the waters of life after “IT”.

Congratulations to our authors!

In 2011, over 13,000 children and young adults throughout the province voted for their favourite book. That same year, Dear George Clooney, Please Marry My Mom by Susin Nielsen won the Snow Willow Award.

Students are still in the process of voting for the 2012 awards. Award winners will be announced in April at the annual Gala. Tundra’s 2012 Shining Willow nominees include Ella May and the Wishing Stone by Cary Fagan, illustrated by Geneviève Côté and In the Bag! by Monica Kulling, illustrated by David Parkins.

For more information, please visit www.willowawards.ca.

Tundra Book Group