Tuesdays with Tundra is an ongoing series featuring our new releases. This title is now available in stores and online!
Heavenly Tyrant By Xiran Jay Zhao 544 Pages | Ages 14+ | Hardcover ISBN 9780735269989 | Tundra Books After suffering devastating loss and making drastic decisions, Zetian finds herself on the seat of power in Huaxia, but she has also learned that her world is not as it seems. Revelations about an enemy who dangles one of her loved ones as a hostage force Zetian to share power with a dangerous man she cannot simply depose. Despite their mutual dislike and distrust, the two must work together to take down their common enemy and stoke a revolution against the systems of exploitation that plague their world. However, power is not so easy to wield once seized, and a revolution is not so easy to control once unleashed. As Huaxia’s former elites strike back and the common people’s fervor for justice turns bloody and paranoid, can Zetian remain a fair and just ruler? Or will she be forced to rely on fear and violence and succumb to her darker instincts in her quest for vengeance and liberation?
Heavenly Tyrant 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 Book Group, we think all our books are brilliant, and it’s nice when others think so too! Congratulations to our authors and illustrators; these are our starred books of 2024!
FIVE STARS:
We Are Definitely Human By X. Fang 48 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover ISBN 9781774882023 | Tundra Books “What starts out as a fish-out-of-water comedy becomes a close encounter of straightforward acceptance.” – Starred Review, Publishers Weekly “DEFINITELY a good book.” – Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews “Laugh-out-loud lovely.” – Starred Review, Booklist “A fabulously illustrated, rib-tickling, and affecting picture book in which Mr. Li and his neighbors demonstrate the potential of kindness and cooperative spirit.” – Starred Review, Shelf Awareness “This warm and giggle-worthy tale will please young readers – whether human or definitely human.” – Starred Review, BookPage
THREE STARS:
Barnaby Unboxed! By The Fan Brothers 80 Pages | Ages 5-9 | Hardcover ISBN 9781774882436 | Tundra Books “In this delightful take on the classic toys-come-to-life story, the text and art – and Barnaby – will surely charm while conveying a reassuring message of the value of being appreciated for who you are.” – Starred Review, Booklist “A heartfelt and emotional commentary on love and the limits of the human attention span.” – Starred Review, School Library Journal “The story is a poignant delight that seamlessly incorporates striking lessons about pets, responsibility, and furever commitment.” – Starred Review, Shelf Awareness
Boy vs. Shark By Paul Gilligan 240 Pages | Ages 10+ | Hardcover ISBN 9781774880449 | Tundra Books “An authentic and funny look at masculinity and growing pains that resonates across the decades.” – Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews “Gilligan powerfully explores shifting middle-grade friendship, exquisitely illustrating feelings of fear, anxiety, and joy in simple but expressive cartoon artwork.” – Starred Review, Booklist “This hilarious look into life as a kid in the summer of 1975 is a must-have for any and all middle grade libraries.” – Starred Review, School Library Journal
I’m From Written by Gary R. Gray, Jr. Illustrated by Oge Mora 40 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover ISBN 9781774886168 | Puffin Canada “Poet Gray, making a picture book debut, models the process of, and the power in, learning that “I come from/ somewhere.” – Starred Review, Publishers Weekly “A beautiful, simple look into one child’s typical experience that all readers can learn from and relate to.” – Starred Review, School Library Journal “This beautifully rendered picture book serves as a reminder of the importance of familial and cultural identity and the grounding that it offers in the wider world.” – Starred Review, The Horn Book
Tove and the Island with No Address By Lauren Soloy 48 Pages | Ages 4-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9781774883150 | Tundra Books “The adventure channels the darkly mischievous tone for which Jansson’s works are beloved and re-creates the strange, wild atmosphere of the island in this windblown tribute to the creator’s artistry and sensibility.” – Starred Review, Publishers Weekly “The best part of art is how and what it makes us feel, and a picture book about an artist that skips past the facts of biography and manages to successfully cultivate the feeling of experiencing that artist’s work is a bit of magic worth treasuring.” – Starred Review, Booklist “This pairing of a strange escapade in the wild with a warm and a cozy welcome home epitomizes the appeal of Jansson’s Moomin books; Moomin fans of all ages will especially enjoy this tale.” – Starred Review, The Horn Book
Viewfinder By Christine D.U. Chung and Salwa Majoka 144 Pages | Ages 6-9 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735268753 | Tundra Books “Beautiful and precisely depicted, a gentle, generous reflection on civilization and community life.” – Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews “Striking a balance between whimsical adventure and wistful contemplation, this title underscores the beauty and fragility of life on our planet. A first purchase for youth graphic novel collections.” – Starred Review, School Library Journal “A gorgeous, digitally sketched and painted picture book debut that welcomes the deeply curious to piece together a surprising and touching tale of what it means to find home.” – Starred Review, Shelf Awareness
TWO STARS:
Benji Zeb Is a Ravenous Werewolf By Deke Moulton 304 Pages | Ages 10-14 | Hardcover ISBN 9781774880524 | Tundra Books “Moulton explores relevant issues surrounding anxiety, faith, prejudice, sexuality, and prioritizing others’ safety over personal comfort in this allegorical creature feature.” – Starred Review, Publishers Weekly “Highly recommended for readers looking for a unique take on the werewolf trope. Readers will root for the gentle and introspective protagonist.” – Starred Review, School Library Journal
Boy Here, Boy There By Chuck Groenink 56 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9781774881064 | Tundra Books “A contemplative telling that seeds rich conversations about connection across species and time, and about what it means to make art.” – Starred Review, Publishers Weekly “A lyrical and beautifully imagined prehistoric encounter.” – Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews
Frostfire By Elly MacKay 44 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735266988 | Tundra Books “This tale is magical anytime, but it’s a top choice when seeking a winter story that doesn’t center on a holiday.” – Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews “An enchanting outing that will have readers longing to wander a winter wonderland.” – Starred Review, Booklist
Lockjaw By Matteo L. Cerilli 328 Pages | Ages 14+ | Hardcover ISBN 9781774882306 | Tundra Books “Cerilli delivers a stunning debut in this gripping paranormal horror novel about queer teens growing up in a community that doesn’t accept them and the insidious danger of apathy.” – Starred Review, Publishers Weekly “A horrifyingly honest tale with a hopeful ending, this engrossing novel is sure to get hearts racing and leave readers reflecting upon their own place in their communities.” – Starred Review, BookPage
Métis Like Me Written by Tasha Hilderman Illustrated by Risa Hugo 40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9781774881125 | Tundra Books “A joyful story that encourages empathy and affirms identity.” – Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews “Despite the specificity implied in the title, this is a book for everyone. A first purchase for libraries looking to expand Indigenous representation in collections.” – Starred Review, School Library Journal
The Lightning Circle Written by Vikki VanSickle Illustrated by Laura K. Watson 224 Pages | Ages 12+ | Hardcover ISBN 9781774882498 | Tundra Books “This journal-like free-verse novel expertly conjures the essence of the summer camp experience while exploring self-identity and highlighting the importance of friendships.” – Starred Review, Shelf Awareness “A richly imagined and deeply felt story that speaks to the power of female friendship, the gift of reinvention, and the perspective-shifting joy of being outdoors.” – Starred Review, Quill & Quire
Tig By Heather Smith 160 Pages | Ages 10+ | Hardcover ISBN 9780735267497 | Tundra Books “A devastatingly honest novel about foster care, neurodivergence, family, and resilience.” – Starred Review, School Library Journal “In the complex, unforgettable Tig, Heather Smith explores the stunning (and sometimes self-sabotaging) resourcefulness children can muster in the face of adversity.” – Starred Review, Shelf Awareness
A Garden Called Home Written by Jessica J. Lee Illustrated by Elaine Chen 48 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9781774880470 | Tundra Books “This heartfelt story beautifully depicts the sorrow that can be felt during the cold winter months, especially when one has come from a completely different environment.” – Starred Review, School Library Journal
An Anishinaabe Christmas Written by Wab Kinew Illustrated by Erin Hill 48 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9781774883570 | Tundra Books “A heartwarming and beautifully crafted book that shares the joy of Christmas through the lens of Anishinaabe culture.” – Starred Review, School Library Journal
Honk Honk, Beep Beep, Putter Putt! Written by Rukhsana Khan Illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat 32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9781774882641 | Tundra Books “The pairing of the rhythmic text and the vibrant pictures is sure to intrigue readers of all ages to explore a culture and way of life that they may not be as familiar with, or revisit a place where they or relatives have lived.” – Starred Review, School Library Journal
I Am Wind Written by Rachel Poliquin Illustrated by Rachel Wada 80 Pages | Ages 8-12 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735272187 | Tundra Books “While the soft yet dynamic and detailed illustrations are the stars of this book, the lyrical writing combined with solid scientific information make it a must-have for upper elementary and middle school library collections” – Starred Review, School Library Journal
I’m Afraid, Said the Leaf Written by Danielle Daniel Illustrated by Matt James 64 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9781774880708 | Tundra Books “Every worry is addressed and every need is met in this eloquent portrait of the interconnectedness of the living world.” – Starred Review, Publishers Weekly
Into the Goblin Market Written by Vikki VanSickle Illustrated by Jensine Eckwall 48 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover “In this bravura picture book – a mischief-rich, rhyming fairy tale with modern touches – a girl contends with enchanted adversaries and something almost as fearsome: her sister’s terrible judgment.” – Starred Review, Shelf Awareness
Once Upon a Sari Written by Zenia Wadhwani Illustrated by Avani Dwivedi 48 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover “Wadhwani shows the young, and reminds the older reader that saris are heirlooms of memory and stories are not just found in books, but also within the walls of our wardrobes.” – Starred Review, Quill & Quire
Rebel Skies By Ann Sei Lin 360 Pages | Ages 12+ | Paperback ISBN 9781774884003 | Tundra Books “This debut, the first in a trilogy, creates a fascinating world based on Japanese mythology and has a unique magic system . . . The uniqueness of the world created in the story makes this a book adventure fantasy lovers will enjoy.” – Starred Review, Booklist
Shine By Bruno Valasse 32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9781774884287 | Tundra Books “A gentle look at fear, darkness, strength, and light . . . The work’s apt title encompasses both the moth’s journey of self-discovery and the luminous art.” – Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews
The Green Baby Swing Written by Thomas King Illustrated by Yong Ling Kang 40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735269361 | Tundra Books “An affecting, supportive portrayal of navigating loss and the ways love and family connection endure.” – Starred Review, Booklist
The Gulf By Adam de Souza 240 Pages | Ages 14+ | Paperback ISBN 9781774880753 | Tundra Books “An evocative tale reminiscent of Jillian and Mariko Tamaki’s This One Summer, this book is a great match for teens searching for community, purpose, and the possibility of existing just for the sake of it.” – Starred Review, Booklist
The Island Before No Written by Christina Uss Illustrated by Hudson Christie 56 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735272415 | Tundra Books “A super fun read, a visual treat and an excellent conversation starter all in one . . . A quirky gem of a tale that’s sure to elicit giggles even as it inspires confidence.” – Starred Review, BookPage
Towed by Toad By Jashar Awan 48 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9781774883488 | Tundra Books “A pitch-perfect picture book with broad appeal, ideal for both truck-obsessed toddlers and emerging readers.” – Starred Review, School Library Journal
Kids say the darndest things! So we asked our creators to tell us their favorite questions they’ve been asked by young readers.
Cale Atkinson Author of Simon and Chester “I can’t say I remember as many funny questions as kids wanting me to draw certain things. The two that stand out to me are: ‘Can you draw Kermit the Frog mixed with a chicken nugget’ – to which I obliged and on another occasion, ‘Will you draw a buff baby Yoda’ – to which I also obliged.”
Lana Button Author of My Grammie’s House “‘Are you famous?’ I have been asked that more than once when I’ve presented at schools. And my response is that, for now, I am my own ‘roady’ – which means that I pack up all my equipment and lug it from school to school. So, as long as I’m my own roady, I am not famous (yet!) But I do feel rich! Because I love writing books for kids and visiting them at schools. My favorite questions that I get from young audiences are, ‘I lost my tooth last night.’ ‘I have a dog.’ And ‘Today is my birthday.’ I love it when kids share a little bit about themselves during the question-and-answer period. It is a great way to connect with my audience and I appreciate that they are sharing with me what is important in their life. (Besides, they have just listened to me talk for a long time about myself, it’s only fair that they also get a turn!)”
Lauren Soloy Author of Tove and the Island with No Address “No funny questions really spring to mind, but kids often say things that make me laugh! There’s always at least one kid at a school visit that is a little fuzzy on what a “question” is – so I’ve definitely gotten the ‘I have a dog named Vincent at home!’ type of statements, which tends to lead to a lot of other hands in the air. Teachers will then do an explanation for what a question is (causing most of the hands to drop) but I love those statements. That kid just really wanted to connect!”
Chuck Groenink Author of Boy Here, Boy There “I guess my favorite question I’ve gotten was at a school visit when I had shown a picture of my studio where my cat happened to be sitting on my desk. After fielding a good deal of questions about that cat ‘what’s its name! How old is she’, etc., one kid stuck her hand up to ask me, ‘Do you know my cat’s name?’ That tickled me immensely, but was also such a good reminder that for little kids these visits are in some ways as much about sharing their stories as it is for you to share yours.”
Polly Horvath Author of Library Girl “The funniest question I got was also the most charming. An eight-year-old boy came up to me as the kids were filing in and sitting down on the floor and said, ‘They told us you was going to be smart but why didn’t they tell us you was going to be soooo good looking?’ I burst into laughter and his eyes sparkled because he knew we both knew what a charmer he was and that he had managed to relax me and make me feel welcome. It was a variation on something that often happened at the poorest schools I have gone to – some child would come up to me terribly concerned that I might be feeling uncomfortable or homesick and would try to make me welcome before my talk. This is what has touched me the most on tours, those concerned little hearts.”
Rachel Poliquin Author of I Am Wind “I’m not sure about a favorite, but I definitely have a most memorable. I was asked what animal I’d like to be. Easy – a least weasel. But on this particular occasion, I had just met one in the woods. Least weasels are very small and very fierce, and this one had danced backwards and forwards on its hind legs, waving its arms at me. I wasn’t sure if it wanted to bite me or marry me. So, I told the story and did the weasel dance for the kids. I heard a boy say, ‘That was weird.'”
The Fan Brothers Author of Barnaby Unboxed! “A question that we’ve received a few times from kids is, ‘How much money do you make?’ The first time a student asked us that, I was completely thrown off, and had no idea how to answer it. My instinct was to respond with a heartwarming platitude like ‘money doesn’t matter when you’re doing something creative,’ but then I realized that wasn’t quite honest. Artists have to pay the bills too. I reflected back upon my own decision to go to art college, and the anxiety that that decision brought. All my life I had grown up with the cliché of the starving artist, and was told many times over the years that art was something you did as a hobby, but not as a career. I even had an art teacher once who told me that a career in art would most likely be boring and thankless work laying out ad copy. ‘Don’t think you’ll be drawing magical worlds and monsters all day.’ Even though, on the face of it, the question seems a bit ruthless, I think it reflects some of that same anxiety. Maybe the student was asking because they were also drawn towards the arts, but harbouring those same fears. Maybe they were looking for reassurance that it was possible to be successful as an artist. Or maybe they were just curious. Children are nothing if not completely honest, and it’s a question I might have asked myself when I was a kid. If I’m ever asked it again, I think I could provide a more thoughtful answer than the stammering response I gave.”
Rukhsana Khan Author of Honk Honk, Beep Beep, Putter Putt! “I do many school visits [and] sometimes things can get weird. I was at a school in Barrie and a kid asked if I was a man or a woman. (I’m a woman.) And just the other day a kid asked, ‘Who’s your favorite storyteller?’ And I couldn’t think of anyone else so I said, ‘Me!’ LOL (Actually I do like the way I tell stories!) But sometimes I get a really great question! One time after a presentation where I’d related some of the racism and bullying I’d gone through a student asked, ‘If you could go back and change anything about your growing up, what would it be?’ Nobody had ever asked me that before. I thought for a moment. I realized that I was who I was because of ALL the things I’d gone through, including the negative stuff. And because I knew how it felt to receive such abuse, I had vowed I’d never inflict it on anyone else. I looked the student in the eye and answered, ‘Actually I wouldn’t change a thing. Everything I went through was necessary.'”
Tuesdays with Tundra is an ongoing series featuring our new releases. This title is now available in stores and online!
From Megabat with Love Written by Anna Humphrey Illustrated by Kris Easler 216 Pages | Ages 7-10 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735271685 | Tundra Books Megabat loves Bird Girl, but he’s having trouble coming up with a Valentine’s surprise that she actually likes. Daniel is trying to earn his Caring and Sharing Bird Scout badge by bringing valentines to residents at a retirement home. Megabat keeps trying to impress Bird Girl with his marvelous gifts that are things HE loves, but it’s not working. And she seems to be obsessed with a majestic eagle. Daniel and his fellow Bird Scouts create chaos at the retirement home and learn a lesson in how NOT to get a Caring and Sharing badge. Megabat finally learns about smushy love stuff from his new friends at the retirement home, but is it too late? Has he lost Bird Girl forever? And will Daniel ever earn his Caring and Sharing badge? Kris Easler’s adorable illustrations paired with Anna Humphrey’s hilarious text make for another unforgettable Megabat adventure, one that will appeal to Megabat fans and newcomers!
From Megabat with Love is also available today in Paperback!
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.
The Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People is given annually to the author of an exceptional body of work in children’s literature and the winner is selected by a three-member judging panel. We would like to congratulate Sara O’Leary who was the recipient of this year’s award!
From the jury citation: “With deep insight into the unwavering spirit of children, Sara O’Leary shows that her young characters are able to speak for themselves, to overturn assumptions and worn-out ways of seeing. O’Leary has devoted her picture books to complex and playful expressions of how fantasy suffuses our experience of this world – from a poignant account of the young Brontë siblings to loving and outlandish answers to a child’s question, ‘Where did I come from?’ Her direct address to readers is surprising and engaging, initiating a lively conversation or a personal relationship. In celebrating diversity or tracking a little girl’s intensely busy play, O’Leary explores, sometimes subtly, sometimes overtly, the possibilities imagination offers. Enhanced by her many gifted illustrators, O’Leary’s willingness to be both fanciful and serious, to take chances with tone, format, and structure, makes each new book a delightful work of spare, neatly crafted words.”
Thank you to the 2024 Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People Jury: Deirdre Baker, Andrea Curtis, and Itah Sadu!
The Little Books of the Little Brontës Written by Sara O’Leary Illustrated by Briony May Smith 40 Pages | Ages 5-9 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735263697 | Tundra Books Many years ago, the four motherless children of the Brontë family – Charlotte, Branwell, Emily and Anne – lived in a windswept house by the moors with their father. Although their lives were often filled with sadness and their world was only as large as the distance they could walk, their INNER worlds were bound only by their imaginations. Hungry for stories, these children devoured novels and poetry, history and fables. And with the gift of a group of toy soldiers, they were inspired to make their own stories, and their own tiny books . . . a passion that would last them a lifetime. A moving and atmospheric story about the power of imagination, the joy of storytelling and the love of books, The Little Books of the Little Brontës will enchant both those who love these literary sisters and those who are learning about them for the first time. Includes an author’s note, timeline of the Brontës’ lives and a fun craft with instructions on creating your own little book.
Gemma and the Giant Girl Written by Sara O’Leary Illustrated by Marie Lafrance 48 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735263673 | Tundra Books Gemma has always lived in a very nice little house, always slept in the same room and always worn the same clothes. A doll in an old forgotten dollhouse, Gemma wonders if she will ever grow up, but her parents tell her she will always be their little girl. Until, one day, the dollhouse is opened by a GIANT, and Gemma’s whole life changes. New things are introduced into the little house – and Gemma finally has an opportunity to leave what’s familiar and see the enormous world beyond. A story that evokes children’s classics, Gemma and the Giant Girl is a gorgeously illustrated and poignant tale of what it feels like to be small in a big world and how even the smallest among us can take charge of our own destinies.
This Is Ruby Written by Sara O’Leary Illustrated by Alea Marley 32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735263611 | Tundra Books Ruby is a little girl with a sense of curiosity and enthusiasm that’s too big to contain! Ruby is always busy – she loves to make things, watch things grow and figure out how things work, with her dog Teddy by her side. And Ruby has lots of ideas about what she wants to be: maybe an animal conservationist? Or an archaeologist? She’s great at excavating (i.e. digging holes). Or maybe an inventor? She’s already invented a book with smells instead of words (so dogs can read it) and a time machine (the dinosaurs did have feathers after all, and the future is looking wild). This is Ruby, and this is her world.
Maud and Grand-Maud Written by Sara O’Leary Illustrated by Kenard Pak 40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9781101918692 | Tundra Books Maud loves the weekends that she stays over at her grandma’s house. There’s always breakfast-for-supper, matching nightgown, black-and-white movies and best of all – having someone to listen to her dreams for when she grows up. But what makes the visit extra-special is what Grand-Maud has hidden in an old chest under her bed. Sometimes there are paint sets, toys, homemade cookies, handknit mittens or sweaters. But Maud finds a wonderful surprise when she finds a belonging from Grand-Maud’s childhood. When she grows up, Maud wants to be just like Grand-Maud. Maud and Grand-Maud is a sweet celebration of the unique bond between grandparents and grandchildren.
Owls Are Good at Keeping Secrets Written by Sara O’Leary Illustrated by Jacob Grant 40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9781101919118 | Tundra Books Did you know that chipmunks love to stay up past their bedtime? Or that dragons cry at happy endings? I bet you’d never have guessed that iguanas sometimes get homesick at sleepovers. Sara O’Leary pulls back the curtain on the animal world and gives us absolutely charming little one-line “facts” about an animal for each letter of the alphabet. Kids will love to see their own quirks reflected in these adorably-rendered creatures, and perhaps will be comforted to know that, just like them, narwhals can be perfectly happy all on their own and quail also get tired of being told to be quiet. This is more than just an alphabet book – it is a charming, hilarious and touching look at the diversity of personalities in the world, worth many, many re-reads.
This Is Sadie Written by Sara O’Leary Illustrated by Julie Morstad 32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9781770495326 | Tundra Books Sadie is a little girl with a big imagination. She has been a girl who lived under the sea and a boy raised by wolves. She has had adventures in wonderland and visited the world of fairytales. She whispers to the dresses in her closet and talks to birds in the treetops. She has wings that take her anywhere she wants to go, but that always bring her home again. She likes to make things – boats out of boxes and castles out of cushions. But more than anything Sadie likes stories, because you can make them from nothing at all. For Sadie, the world is so full of wonderful possibilities . . . This is Sadie, and this is her story.
