Tag: Bill Slavin

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Tuesdays with Tundra 21

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

Mr. Zinger’s Hat
Written by Cary Fagan
Illustrated by Dušan Petričić
Hardcover | Ages 4-6 | 32 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-253-0
eBook: 978-1-77049-364-3
This is the story of a bored little boy, who meets a man, and together they build a story. This story within a story is charming and changes both their lives … and quite possibly the readers as well. This wonderful new story is about stories, and story-telling, and is sure to enchant and instruct children at home and at school for years to come.

My Healthy Body
Written by Liza Fromer and Francine Gerstein MD
Illustrated by Joe Weissmann
Hardcover | Ages 6-9 | 24 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-312-4
eBook: 978-1-77049-370-4
My Healthy Body is a fact-filled book about healthy habits – perfect for instilling the need to look after both mind and body in young children. Covering topics like sleep, exercise, nutrition, vaccines, eye care, social interaction, family, and hygiene this is the perfect go-to-title for general health care for 6 to 9 year old’s.

My Itchy Body
Written by Liza Fromer and Francine Gerstein MD
Illustrated by Joe Weissmann
Hardcover | Ages 6-9 | 24 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-311-7
eBook: 978-1-77049-369-8
My Itchy Body is a fact-filled book about everything that itches: the causes, the cures, the myths, and the reality. Medically accurate information is presented in fun and lively text, and illustrated with a comic touch. Includes fun facts and sidebars, and a glossary.

The Big Book of Vampires
Written by Denise Despeyroux
Illustrated by Fernando Falcone
Hardcover | Ages 9+ | 112 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-371-1
A fabulously creepy collection of vampire lore for blood-thirsty little people. A perfect Halloween collection! A bloody great collection of vampire stories from around the world, in a large, beautifully illustrated edition – a perfect keepsake.

The Secret Fiend
The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His Fourth Case
Written by Shane Peacock
Trade Paperback | Ages 10-14 | 272 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-385-8
The Secret Fiend is the fourth book in Shane Peacock’s award-winning Boy Sherlock Holmes series, combining brilliant storytelling with fascinating historical detail and a mystery worthy of one of the greatest sleuths in English literature.

Talking Tails
The Incredible Connection Between People and Their Pets
Written by Ann Love and Jane Drake
Illustrated by Bill Slavin
Trade Paperback | Ages 9-12 | 80 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-359-9
Part social history, part “owner manual,” Ann Love and Jane Drake present irresistible and heartwarming stories of pets through the ages, complemented by the captivating pen-and-ink-with-watercolor illustrations of artist Bill Slavin.

Pub Date Giveaway: Tell us which new release of ours you would love to read in the comments below and one lucky reader will receive their requested book!

One request per person and please review our rules. This giveaway ends at midnight on Thursday, August 16, 2012!

UPDATE: Congratulations to Julie, who will be getting a copy of The Big Book of Vampires!

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The 2012 OLA Forest of Reading® Nominees

Today, the Ontario Library Association revealed the nominated titles for the 2012 Forest of Reading® program.

Tundra would like to congratulate Heather Hartt-Sussman, Geneviève Côté, Monica Kulling, Bill Slavin, and Susin Nielsen!

Blue Spruce™ Nominee:
Noni Says No
Written by Heather Hartt-Sussman
Illustrated by Geneviève Côté
Hardcover | 24 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-233-2
“In this picture book, Noni, a bright-eyed little girl, undergoes a course in assertiveness training and the management of overbearing personalities. If this burden makes the book sound dull and didactic, be assured that it is anything but. Côté’s illustrations, spiky and sparkling, ensure that the eye is captivated, and Hartt-Sussman’s perfectly paced and pitched text carries the story forward in a most engaging fashion….” – The Globe and Mail

Silver Birch® Express Nominee:
All Aboard! Elijah McCoy’s Steam Engine
Written by Monica Kulling
Illustrated by Bill Slavin
Hardcover | 32 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-88776-945-0
“All aboard! is a fitting rallying cry for the new year, all the more so when it comes in an excellent nonfiction book for young readers…. Kulling’s breezy, clear prose gives this the brisk momentum of a short train journey. Slavin’s ink and watercolour illustrations provide engaging character and perspective, playfully evoking 19th century North America. Together they make All Aboard! a lively character study, history lesson and celebration of mechanical engineering — a satisfying read for children between Grades 1 and 3 who are beginning to read on their own.” – The Toronto Star

Red Maple™ Fiction Nominee:
Dear George Clooney, Please Marry My Mom
Written by Susin Nielsen
Hardcover | 240 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-88776-977-1
“…In Violet, Vancouver author Susin Nielsen has created a delightful main character and an often hilarious book…. This book offers a delightful reading experience that will be especially of interest to girls whose parents have separated or divorced. It gently explores many of the feelings that children experience in such circumstances and does so in a humorous manner.” – The Waterloo Region Record

The Festival of Trees™ will be taking place on May 15-16, 2012 at the Harbourfront Centre. We will be there to cheer on our authors and illustrators!

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World Animal Day


October 4th is World Animal Day! Celebrate by spreading the word, volunteering, or learning about the relationships between humans and animals:

Harness Horses, Bucking Broncos & Pit Ponies
A History of Horse Breeds
By Jeff Crosby and Shelley Ann Jackson
Hardcover | 72 Pages | All Ages
ISBN: 978-0-88776-986-3
Thousands of years ago people living on the steppes of central Asia realized that horses could transport them long distances, help them fight their wars, pull their plows, and provide them with sport and companionship. Ever since, horses and human history have been intertwined.

Little Lions, Bull Baiters & Hunting Hounds
A History of Dog Breeds
By Jeff Crosby and Shelley Ann Jackson
Hardcover | 72 Pages | All Ages
ISBN: 978-0-88776-815-6
Since prehistoric times, humans and dogs have shared a unique bond and both have served each other well. Early people discarded food and as a result, wild wolves cast fear and caution aside, following and approaching their two-legged neighbors until they became less wary of each other. As humans hunted, fished, herded, and hauled, they found ways to benefit from the presence and talents of these animals. Over time, both learned to work together, rely on, and like each other.

Talking Tails
The Incredible Connection Between People and Their Pets
By Ann Love and Jane Drake
Illustrated by Bill Slavin
Hardcover | 80 Pages | Ages 9-12
ISBN: 978-0-88776-884-2
From our earliest beginnings, we have shared our lives with animals. Jane Drake and Ann Love explore the ties that humans and their pets have formed. With fun and fascinating facts, they address Dog People and Cat People. (Why does a cat wind around her owner’s legs? She’s rubbing her owner with glands on her face to say “you’re mine.”) They also introduce us to more unusual pets. There’s Polly the parrot, who lived through the Klondike Gold Rush to be 126 years old by belting back whiskey, swearing, and biting gold miners. And, of course, there are fish and reptiles, rodents and horses, all of whom can be beloved pets.

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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!