Tag: Ann Love

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BlogFest 2011

Welcome and thank you for joining us for BlogFest 2011!  We had so much fun last year that we decided to do it again. For those of you who are participating for the first time, here’s some background info from our host and organizer, A Journey of Books:

What is BlogFest?
BlogFest is a blog run of sorts. A list of participating blogs will be provided on July 15, each offering a fantastic giveaway for readers to enter. Each blog will link to another, pulling readers through the fantastic party we’ll have set up for them!

How do I enter to win?
Each blog has their own giveaway and their own rules. The giveaways will start at midnight EST on the morning of July 15th and run through 11:59pm on the night of the 17th. That’s a whole 72 hours where you get to visit as many blogs as you want and enter their amazing giveaways.

This year, you could win the following prize pack (5 books) from Tundra Books:

Stones for My Father
By Trilby Kent
Ages 11+ | 176 Pages
HC ISBN 9781770492523
“The more prominent review media seem to have completely missed this gem from a Canadian-Brit. In quickly evocative prose, Kent creates an immediate and scintillating story of young Corlie Roux, a Boer girl in South Africa during the Anglo-Boer War at the turn of the last century…. Kent has a keen craft and understands her audience, and the U.S. children’s literature world would do well to start paying her more attention.” – BayViews, The Association of Children’s Librarians of Northern California

The Case of the Missing Deed
By Ellen Schwartz
Ages 8-11 | 200 Pages
HC ISBN 9780887769597
“…The Case of the Missing Deed is fast-paced, and full of cryptic clues, secret codes, and red herrings…. Schwartz beautifully captures the agony, ecstasy, and exquisite self-centredness of a 13-year-old girl on a family vacation…. The Case of the Missing Deed is a great summer read for kids who love a good, meaty mystery as much as they love a delicious homemade dessert.” – Quill & Quire

First Descent
By Pam Withers
Ages 12+ | 272 Pages
HC ISBN 9781770492578
“…Myriam is one of the best heroines I’ve found in a YA novel! She has so many layers and depth and she’s strong without being impossible…. Myriam and her family weren’t tropes or stereotypes; they were fully fleshed-out characters who were just living their lives as best they could. The changes Rex went through were really organic – because he spent time with Myriam’s people but also because he finally got away from his grandfather’s poisonous influence…. Willingness to both listen and to alter your worldview when needed are two important things I think a lot of kids need to learn about, and First Descent tells them that in such a way that it never felt like preaching. Which is great, don’t you think?” – Birdbrain(ed) Book Blog

“Scribbling Women” True Tales from Astonishing Women
By Marthe Jocelyn
Ages 14+ | 208 Pages
HC ISBN 9780887769528
“…a wonderful example of a book that will break down any negative stereotypes about biographies. [Jocelyn]… creates lively, sometimes humorous pieces that blend straight biographic detail and anecdotal accounts about some lesser known women writers in history…. Not only does Jocelyn share extraordinary stories about these women, but her piece also celebrates writers of all kinds, inspiring young adults, particularly girls, to value their own voices and experiences by writing through whatever means they choose….” – ForeWord Reviews

Yes You Can! Your Guide to Becoming an Activist
By Jane Drake and Ann Love
Ages 11+ | 144 Pages
TR ISBN 9780887769429
“…The style is conversational and the tone offers realistic encouragement to teens looking to solve problems. Teachers will approve of the focus on the importance of developing writing and speaking skills, being mindful of one’s online reputation, and learning how to evaluate project efforts … a useful historical perspective of activism.” – School Library Journal

To enter our BlogFest Giveaway:

  • Please leave a comment sharing your favourite book blog! The blog’s name or URL please! One entry per person.
  • Also let us know if you do the extra entries in your entry comment. It is optional! If you’re already a subscriber, follower, fan, and friend – just let us know. You don’t have to re-do it.
  • The giveaway closes on July 17, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST. Entries after this date and time will not be considered.
  • The winner will be chosen by random draw and notified by e-mail. Please read our rules here.

Optional extra entries:

  • +2: Subscribe to our blog using the widget on the top right-side column.
  • +2: Tweet this: I entered the #BlogFest2011 #giveaway at @TundraBooks http://wp.me/priCH-Wn =)
  • +1: Follow us on twitter.
  • +1: Like our page on facebook.
  • +1: Be our friend on goodreads.

Now hop on over to:
165. Tall Tales from a Small Town
166. Taming the Bookshelf
167. Teens Read and Write
168. The Book Garden
169. The Book Nympho

Giveaway Closed! Congratulations to Aik!

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2010 Book of the Year Award Winners

ForeWord Reviews‘ Book of the Year Award winners were announced on June 25 at ALA in New Orleans. Congratulations to the following Tundra authors and illustrators:

Juvenile Fiction – Gold
Dear George Clooney, Please Marry My Mom
By Susin Nielsen
ISBN 978-0-88776-977-1
eBook 978-0-88776-978-8
240 Pages | Hardcover
“Nielsen (Word Nerd) has created a narrator as sassy and candid as this memorable novel’s title….Nielsen skillfully balances her story’s keen humor…with poignancy. Especially affecting are Violet’s struggles to accept her father’s new family….” – Starred Review, Publishers Weekly

Juvenile Nonfiction – Gold
Talking Tails: The Incredible Connection Between People and Their Pets
By Ann Love and Jane Drake
Illustrated by Bill Slavin
ISBN 978-0-88776-884-2
80 Pages | Hardcover
“…These factoids, fictional or otherwise, about the intersection of animal and human lives provide the structure upon which sisters Ann Love and Jane Drake build another of their interesting and informative books…. Written in what might be described as an infectiously friendly fashion … and plentifully illustrated with witty watercolours by the irrepressible Bill Slavin, Talking Tails will appeal to those who are contemplating have a pet in their lives….” – The Globe and Mail

Juvenile Nonfiction – Silver
Cyclist BikeList: The Book for Every Rider
By Laura Robinson
Illustrated by Ramón K. Pérez
ISBN 978-0-88776-784-5
64 Pages | Trade Paperback
“… The book is packed with information and fun facts, covers everything from the history of bicycles, to choosing a bike and fueling yourself up for long rides. The illustrations are lively and the writing informative and engaging, communicating a deep knowledge and passion for the sport….” – Momentum Magazine

Young Adult Nonfiction – Bronze
Yes You Can! Your Guide to Becoming an Activist
By Jane Drake and Ann Love
ISBN 978-0-88776-942-9
eBook 978-1-77049-235-6
144 Pages | Trade Paperback
“Young people who want to effect change are guided by a sequence of nine steps and inspirational examples of grassroots activism…. The style is conversational and the tone offers realistic encouragement to teens looking to solve problems. Teachers will approve of the focus on the importance of developing writing and speaking skills, being mindful of one’s online reputation, and learning how to evaluate project efforts. This title will primarily serve as a how-to, although the time lines, an accessible index, and factual information about anti-smoking campaigns, recycling, and children’s rights make it a useful historical perspective of activism.” – School Library Journal

Congratulations to our finalists too! You can also view the entire list of winners to see who won the other gold, silver, and bronze awards.

Check out our photos from ALA on our facebook page!

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Festival of Trees 2011


The Ontario Library Association hosted another successful Forest of Reading Festival of Trees at the Harbourfront Centre on May 11 and 12th. It is always one of our highlights of the year to see hundreds of readers cheer for their favourite books.


As usual, the yellow school buses line up along Queens Quay West after delivering students from all over Ontario to the festival.


Tundra went in with four nominated titles this year. In the Blue Spruce category, we have Jane Barclay and Renné Benoit’s Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion. Can you spot Jane Barclay on stage? She’s the author taking a photograph of the audience.

Congratulations to Dave Whamond, My Think-A-Ma-Jink was named the winner of the Blue Spruce Award.


Another rewarding parts of the festival are the author and illustrator signings. Just look at the number of readers lining up!


We found Monica Kulling signing autograph sheets and copies of It’s a Snap! George Eastman’s First Photo, illustrated by Bill Slavin. Bill wasn’t able to attend, but he and Esperança Melo lent Monica their Brownie camera (made by George Eastman) to show all the kids.

Congratulations to Ashley Spires, Binky the Space Cat won the Silver Birch Award – Express category!


Ann Love and Jane Drake were there to sign Talking Tails: The Incredible Connection Between People and Their Pets. Their book was nominated for the Silver Birch Award – Nonfiction.

Congratulations to Valerie Wyatt and Fred Rix, their book How to Build Your Own Country was named the winner!


S&B Books also had a tent to sell all the nominated titles. They are the official sponsor and wholesaler for the Forest of Reading program.


We also noticed that the children could leave little notes and messages for their favourite authors and illustrators. Very cool idea!


Thank you to all the organizers, volunteers, authors, illustrators, teachers, and students for all their work! Again, congratulations to all the authors and illustrators! Until next year!

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1st Annual Children’s Book Week Spotlight

In celebrating Children’s Book Week (May 2-8, 2011), Ella at Mymcbooks’s Blog and co-host Tina at Family Literacy and You have put together the 1st Annual Children’s Book Week Spotlight.

We decided to join in the fun by providing a prize pack featuring Tundra authors and illustrators who are touring for the 2011 TD Canadian Children’s Book Week.

What do you have to do to enter? Leave a comment below telling us the first children’s author you ever met (at school, for a book signing, or event). Our e-mail subscribers are automatically entered to win. If you haven’t subscribed yet, do so for one extra entry. Simply enter and verify your e-mail using the Subscribe widget at the top, right corner of this blog.

Details: This giveaway is open to residents of Canada and the U.S.A. only. Please read our rules for more information.

Dates: This giveaway starts on Monday, May 2, 2011 and ends on Sunday, May 8, 2011 at midnight. One winner will be selected and announced on Monday, May 9, 2011 to receive the prize pack.

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Earth Day 2011

Celebrating your love for nature with new books! Tomorrow is Earth Day!

Amazing Animals: The Remarkable Things That Creatures Do
By Margriet Ruurs
Illustrated by W. Allan Hancock
Hardcover | 32 Pages
ISBN 978-0-88776-973-3
“…the detailed paintings and surprising details should captivate readers for whom an ideal Saturday would be spent touring a natural history museum.” – Publishers Weekly

Counting on Snow
By Maxwell Newhouse
Hardcover | 24 Pages
ISBN 978-0-88776-985-6
“… Newhouse infuses every creature’s peering black eyes with character and life…. Newhouse’s sensitive portrayal of the stark Arctic landscape creates an atmospheric chilliness that perfectly captures a winter evening north of the 49th parallel. Original without being gimmicky, Counting on Snow should come with the purchase of every crib in this country, as it has all the makings of a Canadian classic.” – Starred Review, Quill & Quire

Yes You Can! Your Guide to Becoming an Activist
By Jane Drake and Ann Love
Paperback | 144 Pages
ISBN 978-0-88776-942-9
eBook 978-1-77049-235-6
“…help youngsters develop and express empathy, and show how they can act in age-appropriate ways to change their environment, either locally or globally…. Yes You Can! Your Guide to Becoming an Activist, is aimed at action … this book means business … an incredibly motivating experience.” – Canadian Children’s Book News

Introducing a new environmental series, The Adventures of Cosmo the Dodo Bird, by Patrice Racine

These pictures books are aimed for ages 6-9:
 

These novels are aimed for ages 8-11:

Cosmo is a dodo who was born on the island of Mauritius. But the fearless, flightless birds were no match for humans and their guns, and about three hundred years ago, dodos became extinct. Cosmo is the last of his kind, and since he knows firsthand the toll that people can take on Earth’s species, he becomes a champion of the environment.

Did you know? Tundra Books and McClelland & Stewart have a Green Committee to help minimize our carbon footprint in the office.

To view more book recommendations, click here.

For more information about Earth Day, please visit the Earth Day Network‘s website.