Tuesdays with Tundra 5

Tuesdays with Tundra is a monthly post on our new releases. The following books are available today in stores and online!

Avalanche Dance
By Ellen Schwartz
ISBN 978-0-88776-958-0
US $9.95 / CAN $11.99
Ages 10-12
Gwen lives for dancing. When she has the chance to take an intensive – and expensive – course far from home, she knows her parents will object. She raises the subject when skiing with her father, but the discussion turns into an angry confrontation that is cut short by a sudden dreadful avalanche that almost kills her dad. She is left wracked with guilt and injuries that may end her career as a dancer. Gwen must find a way to make peace with her family, and with her own conscience if she is ever again going to experience the freedom that dancing brought her.

Ghost Trackers: The Unreal World of Ghosts, Ghost-Hunting, and the Paranormal
By Chris Gudegon and CCI
ISBN 978-0-88776-950-4
US $14.95 / CAN $15.99
Ages 9+
“…By the creator of the youth-oriented television reality show Ghost Trackers, this book provides young fans of the fantastic all the information and tools they’ll need for their own ghost-hunting expedition.” – VIA Destinations

Easy-to-Read Wonder Tales
It’s Not About the Apple! ISBN 978-0-88776-955-9
It’s Not About the Crumbs! ISBN 978-0-88776-953-5
It’s Not About the Hunter! ISBN 978-0-88776-948-1
It’s Not About the Pumpkin! ISBN 978-0-88776-949-8
It’s Not About the Rose! ISBN 978-0-88776-9542
By Veronika Martenova Charles
Illustrated by David Parkins
US $5.95 each / CAN $7.99 each
Ages 5-8
Here are five first books for fledgling readers that offer the enjoyment of a good story along with the thrill of accomplishment that comes from independent reading. Written in short, easy phrases with carefully selected vocabulary and plentiful illustrations, each book helps youngsters achieve success as they have fun. The series follows three friends who love to share stories. In each book, one is reminded of a well-known story: Little Red Riding Hood in It’s Not About the Hunter!, Beauty and the Beast in It’s Not About the Rose!, Snow White in It’s Not About the Apple!, Cinderella in It’s Not About the Pumpkin!, and Hansel and Gretel in It’s Not About the Crumbs! As one friend starts, the others are reminded of versions they know so each volume has three stories within one framework. The stories come from around the world, and Veronika Martenova Charles provides a note at the end of each book to describe the origins.

The Nightwood
By Robin Muller
ISBN 978-1-77049-209-7
US $18.95 / CAN $20.99
Ages 6+
“Written in true fairytale style with a passionate and soulful text that could standalone as a short story without the illustrations. But, the illustrations bring this story to a different level. Muller’s paintings are exquisite and finely detailed. Filled with emotion, atmosphere and magic they make this a book to own….” – Back to Books

Rude Stories
By Jan Andrews
Illustrated by Francis Blake
ISBN 978-0-88776-921-4
US $19.95 / CAN $21.99
Ages 6-9
Meet Mr. Mosquito, drawn from a Gypsy story. He’s cantankerous and nasty enough to raise belly laughs along with the eyebrows of the polite. In a story inspired by Australian bush tales, we meet Ella and Bella, two hilarious (and flatulent) sisters. Angelina’s earthy wit is memorialized in a story from Swahili tradition. The eight stories in Rude Stories have roots from Japan to Canada, from Africa to Eastern Europe, but they all share a sense of irreverence, and, because they are the work of a true storyteller, they beg to be read aloud, told aloud and shared.

Vanishing Girl: The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His 3rd Case
By Shane Peacock
ISBN 978-1-77049-234-9
US $9.95 / CAN $11.99
Ages 11+
Now in paperback!
“… Fast paced and filled with clues readers can follow, this is a fun read.” – School Library Journal
“… The richly descriptive prose offers a vivid sense of both Victorian life and the diverse characters, especially complex, intriguing, and sympathetic Sherlock” – Booklist

Winter Shadows
By Margaret Buffie
ISBN 978-0-88776-968-9
US $19.95 / CAN $21.99
Ages 11+
“…Buffie’s characters and the conflicts they face are deeply engaging, more than compensating for the well-worn time-travel plot device. Of special interest is the rare portrait of a multiracial community when informal marriages among British and First Nations people were common.” – Kirkus Reviews

Yes You Can! Your Guide to Becoming an Activist
By Jane Drake and Ann Love
ISBN 978-0-88776-942-9
US $12.95 / CAN $14.99
Ages 11+
Every time our society takes steps forward, segregation becomes illegal, child labor is exposed, and companies that poison our air are called to account. Behind those steps are people who identified problems, worked together, and created change. Lifelong environmental activists, Jane Drake and Ann Love present the nine steps to social change and much more. From fascinating accounts about the founding of organizations such as Amnesty International, Pollution Probe, and Greenpeace to the nuts and bolts of how to run an effective meeting or write a petition, to words of inspiration.

Pub Date Giveaway: Which book would you love to get your hands on? Leave us a comment below and one lucky reader will receive a copy of their requested book (the Easy-to-Read Wonder Tales count as one request for all 5 books in the series), courtesy of Tundra! One request per person and please read our rules. This offer ends on Wednesday, October 13th, 2010!

Launch of: Humpty Dumpty and Friends

Last night, we celebrated the launch of Oleg Lipchenko’s Humpty Dumpty and Friends at Nicholas Hoare Books in Toronto.

The event also included a presentation of the 2009 Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Award to Oleg Lipchenko for his illustrations in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The annual IBBY Canada Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Award, honours outstanding artistic talent in Canadian picture books.

IBBY Canada president, Patricia Ocampo presented Oleg Lipchenko with the award.

This is what the jury had to say:
“Oleg Lipchenko has turned this classic story into a rich experience for readers greeting Alice for the first time, as well as for those who know the original…Lipchenko’s illustrations are more than images on a page; they are an homage to the surreal quality and humor of Lewis Carroll’s text.”

Oleg Lipchenko signing copies of his books and posters.

Throughout the evening, guests were invited to look through Oleg Lipchenko’s portfolio containing the original artworks for the books.

Many thanks to everyone at Nicholas Hoare Books, IBBY Canada, to the family, and friends who came out to show their support for Oleg Lipchenko!

CBC TD Kids Bookclub Contest

CBC Radio is partnered with the TD Bank Financial Group and the Canadian Children’s Book Centre to run a contest for middle school students across Canada – Greater Vancouver, the Edmonton area, the Calgary area, Manitoba, Toronto, the Montreal area, and Mainland Nova Scotia.

It’s an opportunity for young readers to win a visit from one of the five nominated authors for a book club discussion, plus copies of the book. CBC Radio will even record the event for broadcast, so readers will be heard on the radio!

We have two TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award nominees this year who are participating in the contest:

A Thousand Years of Pirates
Written and illustrated by William Gilkerson
Hardcover | 96 Pages
ISBN 978-0-88776-924-5
For ages 10 – 14
“A beautifully illustrated treasure trove of information… Chronicles the history of piracy from the time of the Vikings to the present day… This clear and compelling cross-over (history) for all ages includes not only biographical and dramatic narratives, but also the rarely-told sordid and sad details of piracy.” – Jury Comments

Watching Jimmy
Written by Nancy Hartry
Hardcover | 160 Pages
ISBN 978-0-88776-871-2
For ages 12 and up
Watching Jimmy is a masterful exploration of the impact a young girl’s voice can have when she is supported by adult allies… A suspenseful novel of loyalty, determination and compassion… Hartry creates a memorable portrayal of the secret subculture of childhood… A profound and powerful story.” – Jury Comments

The other nominees are Janet McNaughton (Dragon Seer), Sharon Jennings (Home Free), and Arthur Slade (The Hunchback Assignments)! All great authors and books!

To Enter:
Individual classes must submit an original short story, poem or song convincing CBC Radio to bring the TD Kids Book Club to their school. Entrants must tell CBC why their class is so special when it comes to books and reading. Please visit www.cbc.ca/kidsbookclub for more information related to your location.

Contest Entry Deadline:
Friday, October 15, 2010. Please help spread the word, the entry deadline is approaching fast!

The 2010 Word on the Street

Have you started planning out your schedule for Sunday, September 26th, 2010? Everyone is buzzing about the author events, presentations, workshops, and marketplace with the best selection of Canadian books and magazines. We hope to see you at the Word on the Street festival this weekend!

IN VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA:
Raise-a-Reader Corner:
12:00 PM – Kathryn E. Shoemaker with Clay Man and Good-bye Marianne
1:20 PM – Maxwell Newhouse with The Weber Street Wonder Work Crew
Cancelled – Irene Watts with No Moon

  

IN KITCHENER, ONTARIO:
Heritage Canada Reading Rocks Tent:
12:00 PM – Nan Forler with Bird Child
TBA – Ann Love and Jane Drake with Talking Tails: The Incredible Connection Between People and Their Pets

 

IN TORONTO, ONTARIO:
The Children’s Reading Tent:
1:20 PM – Heather Hartt-Sussman with Nana’s Getting Married
2:40 PM – Susin Nielsen with Dear George Clooney, Please Marry My Mom
3:40 PM – Monica Kulling with All Aboard! Elijah McCoy’s Steam Engine
4:30 PM – Kevin Sylvester with Splinters
4:50 PM – Jan Andrews with Rude Stories
Great Books Marquee:
1:15 PM – Richard Scrimger with Me & Death
The Activity Tent:
3:00 PM – Jason Bone with Alison Dare, Little Miss Adventures and Alison Dare, The Heart of the Maiden

       

Tundra Books will be selling books, giving away posters, catalogues, postcards, and bookmarks. Look for us at KidStreet! Also, click here to see photos from last year’s festival.

Bonus, to celebrate KidStreet, Open Book: Toronto and The Word On The Street are giving away a Children’s Book Prize Pack and a Family Pass to the Ontario Science Centre! To enter, please visit the Open Book: Toronto website.

September Pub Date Giveaway Winner

Thank you to everyone who entered our second Pub Date Giveaway! We used random.org to generate the winning number:Then counted through the entries to find out that Jennifer Rayment is the September winner. Congratulations! I will be emailing you for your shipping address, so please check your inbox.
Jennifer picked the lovely picture book, Splinters by Kevin Sylvester. This was fun! Don’t worry if you didn’t win anything this round, we’ll do it again on October 12, 2010!