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Launch of: Tyranny

Last night, we joined Lesley Fairfield in celebrating the launch of her graphic novel, Tyranny. The reading and signing was held at McNally Robinson Booksellers in Don Mills.

TyrannyTyranny by Lesley Fairfield

Kathryn ColeKathryn Cole, the editor of Tyranny, gave a great introducation for Lesley Fairfield.

Tyranny PresentationLesley Fairfield telling us about her personal thirty-year struggle with anorexia and bulimia.

Lesley FairfieldWe love Lesley’s outfit!
Check out her earrings and top – they match the cover!

Thank you once again to Nicola and to the staff at McNally Robinson Booksellers for making the event a success!

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Cybils: 2009 Nominations

cybils-logo-thumbThe Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards are back! Here’s a little background information about the Cybils Awards from their website:

 

 

  • Reward the children’s and young adult authors (and illustrators, let’s not forget them) whose books combine the highest literary merit and “kid appeal.” What’s that mean? If some la-di-dah awards can be compared to brussel sprouts, and other, more populist ones to gummy bears, we’re thinking more like organic chicken nuggets. We’re yummy and nutritious.
  • Foster a sense of community among bloggers who write about children’s and YA literature, highlight our best reviewers (and shamelessly promote their blogs) and provide a forum for the similarly obsessed.

This year, Tundra has two nominations and we would like to congratulate Monica Kulling, Bill Slavin, and Gena K. Gorrell!

CATEGORY: Non-Fiction – middle/teen
Say WhatSay What? The Weird and Mysterious Journey of the English Language
Written by Gena K. Gorrell
ISBN 978-0-88776-878-1
This innovative book takes us on a journey through time to unravel and demystify the story of English. Word games, intriguing facts, and tricky quizzes add an element of fun while enriching readers’ knowledge and understanding. Thank you to Erin W. for nominating Say What?

CATEGORY: Non-fiction/Information Picture Books
It's a Snap!It’s a Snap! George Eastman’s First Photo (Great Idea Series)
Written by Monica Kulling
Illustrated by Bill Slavin
ISBN 978-0-88776-881-1
Monica Kulling’s spunky, playful text is beautifully complemented by the stunning pen-and-ink with watercolor illustrations of artist Bill Slavin. It’s a Snap! George Eastman’s First Photo introduces a new series for Tundra – the Great Idea Series – a must-have for schools, libraries, and parents alike. Thank you to Cristiana C. for the nominating It’s a Snap!

The finalists will be announced on Jaunary 1st and the winners will be announced on February 14th. More good reasons to look forward to New Years and Valentine’s Day!

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CBC presents the TD Kids Bookclub

Tundra would like to thank all the elementary schools in the Greater Vancouver area, the Edmonton area, the Calgary area, Manitoba, the Montreal area and Mainland Nova Scotia for submitting their cheers to CBC.

Congratulations to the winning schools for their TD Kids Book Club cheers:

  • Shawne Chastko’s class from 12th Avenue Elementary School in Burnaby!
  • Adrienne Glover’s grade 3 class from Morley School in Morley, Alberta!
  • The Grade 6 class at Oliver School!
  • Karen Tole-Henderson’s grade 5 class at Shamrock School!
  • Holly Kusiewicz’s grade 5/6 class at Parkdale Elementary in St. Laurent!
  • Ms. Paulette O’Connor’s grade 5/6 class at St. Joseph’s/A. MacKay School!

Stay tuned for details on the TD Kids Book club broadcast in November. Susin Nielsen, author of Word Nerd, will be going to Burnaby and Edmonton for a special broadcast from the winning schools. Shane Peacock, author of Death in the Air, will be going to Halifax for a special broadcast from the winning school.

Word Nerd Thing-Thing Death in the Air

YoungIFOA presents the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award Finalists:

  • Saturday, October 24, 11:00am| Studio Theatre
    A YoungIFOA event for the whole family to enjoy. New this year at IFOA: finalists for the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award read from their nominated books. Charlotte Teeple hosts.
  • Saturday, October 24, 1:00pm| Studio Theatre
    TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award nominees Alma Fullerton, Susin Nielsen and Shane Peacock read from their nominated books in this YoungIFOA event for the whole family.
  • Saturday, October 24, 4:00pm| Studio Theatre
    In partnership with the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award YoungIFOA presents a round table event for the young at heart. TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award nominees Nicola Campbell, Alma Fullerton, Cary Fagan, Kim LaFave, Susin Nielsen and Shane Peacock talk about children’s literature in the 21st century.
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Shortlist for the 2009 QWF Prize for Children’s & Young Adult Literature

The Quebec Writers’ Federation announced their finalists for the 2009 QWF Awards. The winners of the 2009 QWF Awards will be announced at the QWF Awards Gala on Tuesday November 17th, 2009 at the Lion D’Or, Montreal.

Tundra would like to congratulate Jane Barclay for being a finalist in the QWF Prize for Children’s & Young Adult Literature!

Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a LionProud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion
Written by Jane Barclay
Illustrated by Renné Benoit
ISBN 978-0-88776-951-1
Much has been written about war and remembrance, but very little of it has been for young children. As questions come from a young grandchild, his grandpa talks about how, as a very young man, he was as proud as a peacock in uniform, busy as a beaver on his Atlantic crossing, and brave as a lion charging into battle. Soon, the old man’s room is filled with an imaginary menagerie as the child thinks about different aspects of wartime. But as he pins medals on his grandpa’s blazer and receives his own red poppy in return, the mood becomes more somber. Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion has relevance to a growing number of families, as new waves of soldiers leave home.

“Small photos in sepia shades evoke the past in images… the lively animal images in the words are also part of the pictures. …The blend of grim reality, heroic battle, and playful fantasy will speak to kids.” – Booklist

inviteJane Barclay will be celebrating the launch of Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion on Thursday, October 29, 2009. Please join her at Babar Books (46 rue Ste-Anne #6, Pointe-Claire, QC H9S 4P8) from 6:00 to 8:00pm.

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Sweetest Day

Today is the Sweetest Day! While we don’t have treats for you to eat, we do recommend Sweet! for you to read!

SweetSweet!
The Delicious Story of Candy
Written by Ann Love and Jane Drake
Illustrated by Claudia Dávila
ISBN 978-88776-962-7
Paperback | 64 Pages
Ages 9-12

Through time and across continents, stories of sweets and their inventors intrigue and entertain us. Learn about primal sweets – from honey, sweet milk, and nuts to sugar candy, chocolate, and “sweet” stories of success.

From cravings to the scoop on ice cream, Ann Love and Jane Drake present a comprehensive and irresistible story of candy through the ages, complemented by a detailed timeline and playful illustrations from artist Claudia Dávila.

  • Winner of the 2009 Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award for Non-fiction
  • Short-listed for the 2009 Rocky Mountain Book Award

“…delightful. In fact, reading their new book is a little like dipping into a grab bag from the candy store: the experience is fun, varied, and relatively cheap, considering the pleasure it gives. The difference is that you can take in the whole book at a single sitting and feel the better for it. Underneath its whimsical exterior – the humorous cartoon illustrations, the fun bits of trivia – there’s a centre of solid research. The writing is clear and engaging…. This thoughtfully constructed book is a treat to read.” – Starred review, Quill & Quire

Tundra Book Group