Hello book lovers! The Penguin Random House Canada Young Readers team is headed to downtown Toronto for the OLA Super Conference on January 30th and 31st at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. We’ll be showcasing many of our children’s books at booth 718-724! Come by and say hello to our many staff volunteers.
We will also be hosting author signings! This is based on first come, first served: one copy per person while quantities last. You must be in line for the signing to receive a complimentary copy.
Looking for literary assets for your schools and libraries? We’ve got you covered – ask about our catalogs, bookmarks, art cards, and more!
And don’t forget to follow us online @tundrabooks and @penguinteenca as we post live from the show floors!
At Tundra Books, we want you to get to know and love our creators as much as you know and love their books. Our creator spotlight series will launch you into the universe of the brilliant minds behind some of your favorite titles . . . this week, say hello to The Fan Brothers!
About the Creators:
TERRY FAN received his formal art training at Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto. His work is a blend of traditional and contemporary techniques, using ink or graphite mixed with digital. He spends his days (and nights) creating magical paintings, portraits and prints.
ERIC FAN is one of the internationally renowned Fan Brothers whose picture books include The Barnabus Project, The Night Gardener and Ocean Meets Sky. Eric and Terry also illustrated the Chris Hadfield-penned picture book The Darkest Dark, Dashka Slater’s The Antlered Ship and Beth Ferry’s The Scarecrow. Recipients of the prestigious Sendak Fellowship, they have received a Governor General’s Literary Award and the Dilys Evans Founder’s Award from the Society of Illustrators, and were also shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal among other honors.
Spotlight on The Fan Brothers:
Can you share some insights into your illustration process for The Darkest Dark?
Eric: We knew we wanted to stay true to the book’s setting, which takes place on Stag Island. Luckily, Chris and his wife Helene invited us to tour the island and his childhood home, so we were able to gather some great references. We even visited the cabin where Chris watched the moon landing and his childhood bedroom, which has remained almost unchanged since he was a kid.
Terry: Regarding the actual illustrations, we mainly used graphite and ballpoint. After scanning the images, we imported them into Photoshop, where we did all the coloring and finishing touches. We use a shared Dropbox folder to work on the final illustrations. Typically, we upload all the layered Photoshop files, and then we can both work on the files and see what the other is doing. The magic of technology!
The Darkest Dark deals with overcoming fears and dreaming big. What message do you hope young readers take away from Chris’s story?
Terry: In The Darkest Dark, a young Chris must first overcome his fears before being able to imagine himself as an astronaut. The first step in any dream always starts with one’s imagination, and this book is a testament to where that can lead when the roadblock of fear is removed.
Eric: I think it’s a very important message since fear often holds us back from doing something exciting or meaningful. It’s a message that’s equally as important for adults as it is for young readers. To some extent, fear held me back from pursuing a career in art full-time for many years – that leap into the unknown.
Terry: Yes, it’s a crucial message, and I hope Chris’s incredible story will inspire readers of all ages. Early on in the development of this book, Chris invited us to fly with him on a small airplane, and at one point, he had Eric take the controls for a few minutes! It was a somewhat terrifying but also exhilarating experience. It was then that the theme of the book became so resonant. Eric and I are nervous – even on commercial flights – so this was a way of facing one of our darkest fears.
How do you balance your creative visions when working together on a project like this?
Eric: It’s a fluid process, and Terry and I have become fairly adept at navigating the push and pull of collaborating. You’re also collaborating with the editor and author for a picture book, which can be challenging but very rewarding.
Terry: Sometimes there can be challenges. But I love the whole collaboration process, and it’s when I have the most fun. Everyone brought something valuable and unique to the project, and the final book was the result of all those different creative visions coming together.
Why do you think space and exploration are such compelling themes for children’s books? Do you have any personal connections or interests in space that influenced your work on this book?
Eric: It’s funny because I opened this email questionnaire just as I exited the theatre after seeing Interstellar on IMAX, which underscores my fascination with space and astronomy. 2001: A Space Odyssey has always been my favorite film, so I think space is something I’ve always been interested in. It made illustrating a book by a real astronaut all the more amazing.
Terry: I think because it just touches on a primal fascination that everyone has with the unknown. I’ve been deeply interested in anything space-related for as long as I can remember. Growing up I loved books by Issac Asimov and Robert A. Heinlein. 2001: A Space Odyssey was one of my favorite films, as well, along with Planet of The Apes, Alien, and Blade Runner. I also have a keen interest in astronomy and physics, and have read many books about quantum physics, black holes, the nature of reality, and other topics. So, working on The Darkest Dark was really a dream come true for me.
How has the reception been for The Darkest Dark, and what feedback have you received from readers? Can you share any touching or memorable responses from children or parents about the book?
Eric: The reception for The Darkest Dark has been great. Chris is such a fantastic speaker, and we’ve been lucky enough to attend events and signings with him and see first-hand how he interacts and inspires his readers. At one of the first signings we did in Sarnia, a kid showed up dressed as an astronaut, which was pretty awesome. Chris took the time to talk to him, pose for pictures, and even give him some tips on becoming an astronaut.
Terry: As Eric said, it has been a thrill to be part of this incredible project, and to work with Chris, who is such an inspiration. The feedback from readers has been wonderful. I’m always so touched and grateful when I read reviews on forums like Goodreads, to realize how many people love the book. But the most gratifying experiences are like the one Eric mentioned, when the book sparks a child’s imagination and acts as a springboard for their own passions and dreams.
Books by The Fan Brothers:
The Darkest Dark Written by Chris Hadfield Illustrated by The Fan Brothers 44 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Paperback ISBN 9780735264823 | Tundra Books Chris loves rockets and planets and pretending he’s a brave astronaut, exploring the universe. Only one problem – at night, Chris doesn’t feel so brave. He’s afraid of the dark. But when he watches the groundbreaking moon landing on TV, he realizes that space is the darkest dark there is – and the dark is beautiful and exciting, especially when you have big dreams to keep you company. Inspired by the childhood of real-life astronaut Chris Hadfield and brought to life by Terry and Eric Fan’s lush, evocative illustrations, The Darkest Dark will encourage readers to dream the impossible.
More Books by The Fan Brothers and Devin Fan:
Barnaby Unboxed! By The Fan Brothers 80 Pages | Ages 5-9 | Hardcover ISBN 9781774882436 | Tundra Books Meet Barnaby: he’s half mouse and half elephant, with just a dash of flamingo . . . and fully trained! When he’s brought home to be pampered and cared for by his very own little girl, life is perfect . . . until a new, even more perfect pet comes on the scene. Suddenly Barnaby is no longer the most perfect pet around, and his little girl doesn’t seem interested in him anymore. Feeling unappreciated, Barnaby runs away and finds himself swept up on a wild journey through the city and an emotional search for home in a tale of love found, lost and found again. In a poignant follow-up to their award-winning, internationally bestselling picture book The Barnabus Project, The Fan Brothers and their brother Devin Fan have once again crafted a heartfelt and sweetly sensitive story full of adventure, friendship and family that will enchant readers of all ages.
The Barnabus Project By The Fan Brothers 72 Pages | Ages 5-9 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735263260 | Tundra Books Deep underground beneath Perfect Pets, where children can buy genetically engineered “perfect” creatures, there is a secret lab. Barnabus and his friends live in this lab, but none of them is perfect. They are all Failed Projects. Barnabus has never been outside his tiny bell jar, yet he dreams of one day seeing the world above ground that his pal Pip the cockroach has told him about: a world with green hills and trees, and buildings that reach all the way to the sky, lit with their own stars. But Barnabus may have to reach the outside world sooner than he thought, because the Green Rubber Suits are about to recycle all Failed Projects . . . and Barnabus doesn’t want to be made into a fluffier pet with bigger eyes. He just wants to be himself. So he decides it’s time for he and the others to escape. With his little trunk and a lot of cooperation and courage, Barnabus sets out to find freedom – and a place where he and his friends can finally be accepted for who they are. This suspenseful, poignant and magical story about following your dreams and finding where you truly belong will draw readers into a surreal, lushly detailed world in which perfection really means being true to yourself and your friends.
More Books by Eric Fan:
Night Lunch Written by Eric Fan Illustrated by Dena Seiferling 48 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735270572 | Tundra Books Noses sniff the air as mouthwatering smells waft down city streets, luring growling bellies to the Night Owl. Inside this elegant, horse-drawn establishment, a feathery cook works the grill, serving up tasty dishes for shift-workers and operagoers alike: a mince pie for Fox, a ham sandwich for Badger and puddings for little Possums. Mouse, a poor street sweeper, watches as the line of customers swells, ever hopeful that someone will drop a morsel of food – but Owl’s cooking is far too delicious for more than a crumb to be found. As the evening’s service winds down, weary Owl spots trembling Mouse. Has he found his own night lunch, or will he invite this small sweeper inside for a midnight feast for two? From the imagination of two acclaimed picture book creators, together for the first time, this dreamlike picture book is a magical ode to Victorian lunch wagons. Evoking the sounds, sights, smells and tastes of the city at night, Night Lunch reveals how empathy and kindness as well as dignity and gratitude can be found – and savored – in the most unexpected places.
Tuesdays with Tundra is an ongoing series featuring our new releases. This title is now available in stores and online!
Prophecy By M.L. Fergus 352 Pages | Ages 12+ | Paperback ISBN 9781774886076 | Tundra Books A lifetime of hardship and toil has left Persephone dreaming of a destiny that belongs to none but her. When a chance encounter with a handsome thief offers hope of escape, she recklessly sets her plan in motion. But the thief, Azriel, has plans of his own and no intention of letting her go anywhere. For he and his clan believe that Persephone could be the key to defeating the king’s regent, a sadistic monster who has hunted them for years. Torn between her longing for freedom and her growing feelings for Azriel, Persephone finds herself plunging ever deeper into a dark and dangerous world where death is never more than one careless word away. As tensions rise to a fever pitch, Persephone faces the hardest choice she has ever had to make. And no one – least of all her – could have imagined the shocking truth her decision will reveal.
Prophecy is also available today in Audiobook!
We can’t wait to see you reading this title! If you share this book online, remember to use #ReadTundra in your hashtags so that we can re-post.
At Tundra Books, we want you to get to know and love our creators as much as you know and love their books. Our creator spotlight series will introduce you to the people behind some of your favorite titles . . . this week, say hello to E. Latimer!
About the Author:
E. LATIMER‘s breakout success on the online writing platform Wattpad has resulted in a fan base of over 100 thousand followers, with over 20 million combined reads. Her debut novel, The Strange and Deadly Portraits of Bryony Gray, was shortlisted for the OLA Red Maple Award and the Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Award, and her second novel, Escape to Witch City, was called a “pulse-pounding adventure” by Publishers Weekly. A former children’s bookseller, she is focusing on her writing. She lives in British Columbia with her family.
Fast Five with E. Latimer:
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
Probably in the Irish countryside, in a little cottage with climbing roses growing on the front. I like to imagine drinking tea in my garden while I scribble down notes for my next book. Sadly, it’s a less than idyllic scene if the roses are all dead, so I’d need to work on my black thumb before that can happen.
What’s one thing that can instantly make your day better?
A hot earl grey misto with lots of oat milk and cinnamon on top. Instantly improves the mood.
Which meal is your favorite: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
I gotta side with breakfast on this one. Get me a plate of fried eggs, bacon and sourdough toast and I’m a happy lil guy.
What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to? or What’s your “dance like nobody’s watching” song?
I’m gonna answer both here:
Weirdly, I’m not a big concert person. It’s loud and there are tons of people and I tend to get lost in the arena type venues. Halfway through the concert you’ll find me wandering around in a daze, still looking for my seat. My one exception was going to see Aerosmith live, as I’ve been a huge fan since I was a teen. I went with a friend and we hung out at the back after and met a bunch of other weird, burned-out rockers who followed the band around. It was an amazing night. We ended up at Denny’s.
My favorite song to cut loose to has got to be “Pour Some Sugar on Me” by Def Leppard. I’m talking, jumping on furniture, hairbrush as a microphone, sliding across the tile in my socks kinda thing. Good fun.
What’s your favorite scary story/myth?
How many days do you have? How do I pick just one? The wild hunt is one of them. If you know me, you know I have been known to talk at length about it. I love it because it’s so embedded in folklore that it’s taken on a life of its own. It’s ever evolving, and there are so many versions of it from all over the world. And yet, when I mention it, most people aren’t sure what it is. They’ve heard something. It’s ringing a bell, but they can’t quite remember . . . I find that fascinating.
Books by E. Latimer:
The Afterdark By E. Latimer 400 Pages | Ages 14+ | Hardcover ISBN 9781774882245 | Tundra Books Northcroft is an elite boarding school with a deadly secret. Each night as the bell tolls and the shutters slam down, cutting off the outside world, the Afterdark descends, turning the surrounding old growth forest into a macabre copy of itself. A negative photograph crawling with horrors. Evie Laurent is certain of one thing from the moment she sees Holland Morgan on the front steps of Northcroft: she wants to know everything there is to know about her. But there are some things about Evie herself that are better kept secret. Especially the fact that she let her sister drown. And that it’s getting harder to ignore her dark impulses . . . Holland Morgan knows falling for Evie is just one more terrible choice in her long history of terrible choices. The problem is, she’s not sure she cares. As attraction turns slowly to obsession, they find themselves playing a dangerous game. Something out there is calling to each of them. Beckoning to the shadows within. Do they fight the call and protect one another, or answer and embrace the darkness?
Escape to Witch City By E. Latimer 312 Pages | Ages 10+ | Paperback ISBN 9781101919330 | Tundra Books Emmaline Black has a secret. She can hear the rhythm of heartbeats. Not just her own, but others’ too. It’s a rhythm she’s learned to control, and that can only mean one thing . . . Emma’s a witch. In a world where a sentence of witchcraft comes with dire consequences and all children who have reached the age of thirteen are tested to ensure they have no witch blood, Emma must attempt to stamp out her power before her own test comes. But the more she researches, the more she begins to suspect that her radically anti-witch aunt and mother are hiding something – the truth about their sister, her Aunt Lenore, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances years ago. The day of the test comes, and Emma’s results not only pair her up with strange new friends, but set her on a course to challenge everything she’s ever been taught about magic, and reveal long-buried family secrets. It seems witches may not have been so easy to banish after all. Secret cities, untapped powers, missing family
The Strange and Deadly Portraits of Bryony Gray By E. Latimer 336 Pages | Ages 10+ | Paperback ISBN 9781101919309 | Tundra Books Bryony Gray is becoming famous as a painter in London art circles. But life isn’t so grand. Her uncle keeps her locked in the attic, forcing her to paint for his rich clients . . . and now her paintings are taking on a life of their own, and customers are going missing under mysterious circumstances. When her newest painting escapes the canvas and rampages through the streets of London, Bryony digs into her family history, discovering some rather scandalous secrets her uncle has been keeping, including a deadly curse she’s inherited from her missing father. Bryony has accidentally unleashed the Gray family curse, and it’s spreading fast. With a little help from the strange-but-beautiful girl next door and her paranoid brother, Bryony sets out to break the curse, dodging bloodthirsty paintings, angry mobs and her wicked uncle along the way.
Tuesdays with Tundra is an ongoing series featuring our new releases. This title is now available in stores and online!
The Afterdark By E. Latimer 400 Pages | Ages 14+ | Hardcover ISBN 9781774882245 | Tundra Books Northcroft is an elite boarding school with a deadly secret. Each night as the bell tolls and the shutters slam down, cutting off the outside world, the Afterdark descends, turning the surrounding old growth forest into a macabre copy of itself. A negative photograph crawling with horrors. Evie Laurent is certain of one thing from the moment she sees Holland Morgan on the front steps of Northcroft: she wants to know everything there is to know about her. But there are some things about Evie herself that are better kept secret. Especially the fact that she let her sister drown. And that it’s getting harder to ignore her dark impulses . . . Holland Morgan knows falling for Evie is just one more terrible choice in her long history of terrible choices. The problem is, she’s not sure she cares. As attraction turns slowly to obsession, they find themselves playing a dangerous game. Something out there is calling to each of them. Beckoning to the shadows within. Do they fight the call and protect one another, or answer and embrace the darkness?
The Afterdark is also available today in Audiobook!
We can’t wait to see you reading this title! If you share this book online, remember to use #ReadTundra in your hashtags so that we can re-post.
