Tag: David Parkins

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Tuesdays with Tundra 14

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

The Dragon Turn: The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His Fifth Case
By Shane Peacock
Hardcover | Ages 10-14
ISBN 978-1-77049-231-8
eBook 978-1-77049-273-8
Summer 1869, and Sherlock Holmes and his friend Irene celebrate her sixteenth birthday by attending the theater to watch a celebrated magician make a real dragon appear on stage. It is the London sensation. Sherlock and Irene meet the magician, Alistair Hemsworth – just as he is arrested for the murder of his rival, The Wizard of Nottingham.

It seems that traces of the missing Wizard’s blood and his spectacles were found in Hemsworth’s secret studio. Hemsworth has a motive: not only is the Wizard his rival, but he also caused a scandal when he lured Hemsworth’s wife away. But is Hemsworth guilty? Sherlock has his doubts, and soon, so does the reader.

With humor and plot turns as dizzying as a narrow London lane, Shane Peacock invites his readers into a fascinating world, and a fresh adventure with one of literature’s favorite characters. The Boy Sherlock Holmes series is an international success with readers and reviewers alike.

Harness Horses, Bucking Broncos & Pit Ponies: A History of Horse Breeds
Written and Illustrated by Jeff Crosby and Shelley Ann Jackson
Hardcover | 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.

The author-illustrator team of Jeff Crosby and Shelley Ann Jackson celebrates all kinds of horses in this beautifully illustrated, fact-filled book. From fast horses like the Barb, which traveled to Spain from Africa in the early eighth century to become a foundation for many Spanish and European breeds, to war horses like the Mongolian that gave their owners military advantage (today there are more horses in Mongolia than there are people), to the hard-working horses ranging from the tiny American Miniature to the giant Clydesdale, Harness Horses, Bucking Broncos & Pit Ponies is a treasure-trove of information. Today there are fifty-eight million horses in the world.

This is the perfect book for those who own (or dream of owning) a horse, who ride, or who simply like to read about these magnificent animals and the special relationship they share with humans.

In the Bag! Margaret Knight Wraps It Up
By Monica Kulling
Illustrated by David Parkins
Hardcover | Ages 5-8
ISBN 978-1-77049-239-4
Tundra’s Great Idea Series is comprised of biographies of inventors for early readers. The third book in the series introduces the fascinating Margaret Knight. Known as Mattie, she was different from most American girls living in 1850. She loved to make things with wood and made the best kites and sleds in town. Her father died when she was only three, and by the time she was twelve, she was working at the local cotton mill alongside her two older brothers. One day, she saw a worker get injured by a shuttle that had come loose from the giant loom, and the accident inspired her to invent a stop-motion device. It was the first of her many inventions.

Margaret Knight devoted her life to inventing, and is best known for the clever, practical, paper bag. When she died in 1914, she had ninety inventions to her name and over twenty patents, astounding accomplishments for a woman of her day. Monica Kulling’s easy-to-read text, peppered with lots of dialogue, brings an amazing, inspiring woman to life.

The White Ballets
By Rajka Kupesic
Hardcover | All Ages
ISBN 978-0-88776-923-8
Possibly the best-loved of all ballets are “Giselle,” “La Bayadère,” and “Swan Lake.” Known as the White Ballets, they each tell stories of ethereal maidens costumed in floating white, who seem to be lovely creatures suspended somewhere between heaven and earth.

Rajka Kupesic, herself a dancer, has retold the stories and set them against her breathtaking art to create a book to cherish. Notes about the ballets are included.

Winterberries and Apple Blossoms: Reflections and Flavors of a Mennonite Year
By Nan Forler
Illustrated by Peter Etril Snyder
Hardcover | All Ages
ISBN 978-1-77049-254-7
With an evocative poem for every month of the year, young Naomi introduces us to her family and hosts a journey through the seasonal rhythms of her rural Mennonite community. And all year long there are delicious, child-friendly recipes to make and sample.

The poems and recipes are perfectly complemented by Peter Etril Snyder’s lovely paintings. Winterberries and Apple Blossoms is a beautifully produced book, perfect for gift-giving, or sharing with anyone who appreciates simple, enduring values.

Pub Date Giveaway: Tell us which new release you would love to read in the comments below and one lucky reader will receive a copy of their requested book! One request per person and please review our rules. This giveaway ends at midnight on Thursday, October 13, 2011!

UPDATE: A winner has been chosen! Congratulations to Laurie!

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TD Summer Reading Club 2011

Splash! Celebrate Summer
Once again, TD Bank Financial Group, the Toronto Public Library and Library and Archives Canada are proud to support literacy in Canada by offering the TD Summer Reading Club to Canadian children across the nation in both English and French.

The TD Summer Reading Club has been successful in inspiring children to spend more time reading books and visiting their local libraries. During the summer of 2010, more than half a million children participated in programs offered at their local libraries and read more than 2 million books!

Here is a list of our books that are on the TD Summer Reading Club’s English book list:

Easy Readers
Don’t Go Near the Water!
By Veronika Martenova Charles
Illustrated by David Parkins
Trade Paperback | 56 pages
Ages 5-8 years
ISBN 978-0-88776-780-7
eBook 978-1-77049-055-0
“Having been warned to stay away from the high waters of the local creek, three friends’ imaginations run as swiftly as the stream. Before they know it, they have scared themselves silly with stories from Britain, Hawaii and Central Europe.” – Canadian Children’s Book Centre

Jacob Two-Two on the High Seas
By Cary Fagan
Illustrated by Dušan Petričić
Hardcover | 112 pages
Ages 8-11 years
ISBN 978-0-88776-895-8
eBook 978-1-77049-071-0
“Fagan has produced a lively tale of pirates, transatlantic voyages, and the usual heedless parents…” – Books for Young People: Books of the Year, Quill & Quire

Fiction 9-12 Years Old
Into the Ravine
By Richard Scrimger
Trade Paperback | 264 pages
Ages 11+
ISBN 978-0-88776-822-4
“Scrimger is a deft and funny storyteller who understands early adolescent boys, their dreams, and their realities…. A funny, scary, exciting, and spot-on adventure.” – Booklist

Noses are Red
By Richard Scrimger
Trade Paperback | 208 pages
Ages 8-12 years
ISBN 978-0-88776-590-2
eBook 978-1-77049-044-4
“As with its predecessors, this book is hilarious, with a wonderful blend of slapstick humor and dry wit. It will appeal to anyone who hates summer camp or who enjoys a refreshingly comic look at everyday life.” – VOYA

Folk Tales
Spirits, Fairies, and Merpeople: Native Stories of Other Worlds
By C.J. Taylor
Hardcover | 40 pages
Ages 8+
ISBN 978-0-88776-872-9
“Taylor’s retellings are crisp and lend themselves well to reading aloud. Each story is accompanied by a lushly hued, surrealistic painting. The powerful images featuring fearsome creatures and tiny human figures balance the taut economy of the text … this well-crafted collection is an accessible and thoughtful supplement to Native American culture studies.” – School Library Journal

Sindbad in the Land of Giants
By Ludmila Zeman
Hardcover | 32 pages
Ages 6+
HC ISBN 978-0-88776-461-5
TR ISBN 978-1-77049-266-0
“Engagingly written, the story is fleshed out by Zeman’s illustrations. Richly detailed, with intricate borders, the pictures are strongly reminiscent of Near Eastern miniatures, thus evoking the culture from which the story springs … for those who like adventure stories with gorgeous artwork, this title is a sound addition to folklore collections.” – School Library Journal

Lord of the Sky
By Linda Zeman-Spaleny
Illustrated by Ludmila Zeman
Hardcover | 32 pages
Ages 8+
ISBN 978-0-88776-896-5
“Zeman-Spaleny does a solid job with this classic, making the early ravens obnoxious but loveable whereas the thunderbird is both powerful and terrifying…. Illustrator Ludmila Zeman’s illustrations portray the strength of the story and its characters, with a palette of blacks, browns and autumn tones that captures the setting perfectly…. A glossy rendering of a classic; this is excellent mythology and delightful story-telling.” – Eclectica Magazine

Non-fiction
Sail Away with Me: Old and New Poems
By Jane Collins-Philippe
Illustrated by Laura Beingessner
Hardcover | 32 pages
Ages 3-6 years
ISBN 978-0-88776-842-2
“…The lively watercolor illustrations extend the images in the words, with pictures of ships on the ocean with patchwork sails and whimsical animal crews…. Ranging in theme from adventure to nonsense, these poems will be fun for reading aloud.” – Booklist

A Thousand Years of Pirates
By William Gilkerson
Hardcover | 96 pages
Ages 10+
ISBN 978-0-88776-924-5
eBook 978-1-77049-082-6
“The combination of strong storytelling and beautiful artwork and design make this an appealing book for children of all ages… Unparalleled in the presentation of pirate history… Gilkerson successfully weaves together fascinating tales to bring life and context to these adventurers of the high seas.” – Jury Comments, Finalist: Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction

Advanced Picture Books
A Seaside Alphabet
By Donna Grassby
Illustrated by Susan Tooke
Trade Paperback | 32 pages
Ages 6+
ISBN 978-0-88776-938-2
“…Each of Tooke’s 26 realistic paintings is a watercolor artwork in itself, capturing seaside scenes full of action, excitement, enjoyment, and wonder.” – National Center for the Study of Children’s Literature

Where I Live
By Frances Wolfe
Hardcover | 32 pages
Ages 3-6 years
ISBN 978-0-88776-529-2
“…words and images together take readers to a lovely, serene seascape and result in a lovely picture book.” – School Library Journal

Teen Books
Would You
By Marthe Jocelyn
Hardcover | 176 pages
Ages 9-12 years
HC ISBN 978-0-88776-816-3
TR ISBN 978-1-77049-223-3
eBook 978-1-77049-022-2
“The opening chapters give little hints of the intensity of Jocelyn’s…exquisitely honed novel…. Although the plot line sounds like that of a standard weeper, the author resists the urge to magnify emotions. Natalie reacts honestly, neither beautifully nor nobly…. The light touch with which Jocelyn handles her difficult material is best seen when Claire is declared brain-dead and taken off life support: the humanity in the author’s treatment affords the readers a sense both of grief and of peace.” – Starred Review, Publishers Weekly


Click here to see last year’s theme and book list.

British Columbia artist Kim LaFave, a recipient of the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, has created the artwork for the program.

And… if you’re free tomorrow:

TD Summer Reading Club Launch – Splash Fair!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
York Woods
Join the Toronto Public Library for fun Splash-themed activities to kick start the beginning of TD Summer Reading Club. Face painting, surprise guests, arts & crafts and much, much, more! No registration required. This program will be held in the Children’s Department and Outside Parking Lot area.

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TD Summer Reading Club 2010

Get ready to travel to exotic and exciting places and discover nature’s wonders right on the shelves of your local library! The theme for this year’s program is:

Here is a list of our books that are on the TD Summer Reading Club’s English Booklist:

Easy Readers:
Don’t Go into the Forest! (Easy-to-Read Spooky Tales)
Written by Veronika Martenova Charles
Illustrated by David Parkins
Paperback | 56 pages
Ages 5-8
ISBN 978-0-88776-778-4
“… Teacher’s will no doubt welcome this pedagogical device as a good motivator for narrative writing. They’ll also appreciate the fact that the series contains a balance of male and female protagonists, some of whom outwit the villain.” – Quill & Quire

Fiction 9-12 Years Old:
Afrika
Written by Colleen Craig
Paperback | 240 pages
Ages 12+
ISBN 978-0-88776-807-1
“The riveting revelations of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) are at the heart of this powerful novel….” – Starred Review, Booklist
“The realities of the society are carefully and skillfully portrayed…. The author does not sugarcoat the realities of South Africa…. Not just another multicultural title, by any means, this novel will really grab readers who appreciate realistic fiction about young people searching for their place in the world.” – Starred Review, School Library Journal

Folk Tales:
How We Saw the World: Nine Native Stories of the Way Things Began
Written and illustrated by C.J. Taylor
Paperback | 32 pages
Ages 8+
ISBN 978-0-88776-373-1
All peoples have their own stories of how the Earth was created, what separated the land from the seas, and how the many animals, fish, and other creatures came to have their particular characteristics. The native tribes of North America are no different: they too have stories about the “way things began.” A fascinating collection of tales that explain the origins of tornadoes, forest fires, butterflies, horses, Niagara Falls, why dogs are our best friends, and even a very funny story of why owls and rabbits look the way they do.

Non-fiction:
In the Land of the Jaguar: South America and Its People
Written by Gena K. Gorrell
Illustrated by Andrej Krystoforski
Hardcover | 160 pages
Ages 9+
ISBN 978-0-88776-756-2
“…every chapter is packed with highlights, descriptions, and poetry in the narrative, in boxes, and in captions. The engaging prose includes descriptions of the unique animals and plants of each country and – coupled with Krystoforski’s vividly colored, jaunty maps and pen-and-ink drawings of everything from sailing ships to tango dancers – encourages readers to peruse every page.” – School Library Journal

Picture Books, Advanced:
The Birdman
Written by Veronika Martenova Charles
Illustrated by Annouchka Gravel Galouchko and Stéphan Daigle
Hardcover | 32 pages
Ages 5-8
ISBN 978-0-88776-740-1
“The first thing that must be said about The Birdman is that the illustrations… are gorgeous. With intricate Gustav Klimt-style patterns filling every brilliantly coloured area, the book’s illustrations are also reminiscent of Chagall… The paintings are still wholly individual and suited to the text. The story is simple, very touching, and elegantly told, evoking Calcutta’s colour, heat, and its citizens’ difficult lives. And – let me say it again – the illustrations are exquisite.” – Starred Review, Quill & Quire

Preschool:
Eats
Written by Marthe Jocelyn
Illustrated by Tom Slaughter
Hardcover | 24 pages
Ages 2-5
ISBN 978-0-88776-820-0
“The word ‘eat’ never appears in the very minimal text accompanying Eats’ eye-catching cut-paper visuals….Top marks here for concept and execution.” – The Globe and Mail

Teen Books:
Swimming In the Monsoon Sea
Written by Shyam Selvadurai
Paperback | 280 pages
Ages 13+
ISBN 978-0-88776-834-7
“As lush and languid as its Sri Lanka setting…What captures readers is the way the story rolls in waves, mimicking how Amrith looks at himself, then looks away. The luxuriant language with details of architecture and verdant gardens doesn’t call attention to itself, but refreshes like a breeze. Selvadurai, who wrote so gracefully for adults…now does the same for teens.” – Starred Review, Booklist

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Happy Halloween

Tundra Books has several great picks for this Halloween – from easy readers to teens! Get in the spirit with these spooky and entertaining reads:

MonsterologyMonsterology: Fabulous Lives of the Creepy, the Revolting, and the Undead
Written by Arthur Slade
Illustrated by Derek Mah
ISBN 978-0-88776-714-2
Ages 9-12 | 96 Pages | Paperback

Governor General’s award-winner Arthur Slade has gathered together fifteen scary critters, ranging from Dracula to Golem, from Frankenstein to Baba Yaga and even a zombie. He provides facts, real history, imagined history, and lots of jokes to make these creatures come to life. Slade’s hilarious text presents delicious imagined gossip, favorite blood types, favorite movies, and even favorite haunts (you should pardon the expression) with character descriptions and thoroughly researched background information.

VillainologyVillainology: Fabulous Lives of the Big, the Bad, and the Wicked
Written by Arthur Slade
Illustrated by Derek Mah
ISBN 978-0-88776-809-5
Ages 9-12 | 96 Pages | Paperback

Villainology is a veritable who’s who of characters from the underworld. Be they fictitious or all-too-genuine baddies, they are bound together by their infamous deeds. Author Arthur Slade takes a lighthearted view, nonetheless, and provides personal stats, their likes and dislikes, their high-school memories and an amazing array of cool facts along with up close and personal “interviews.” Readers will not only come away amused, they will come away with an enlarged store of general knowledge. Among the fourteen notable villains included are: The Wicked Witch of the West, Attila the Hun, The Wolf, Billy the Kid, The Headless Horseman, Morgan le Fay, Quin Hui, The Invisible Man, Scarface Capone, and a lineup of Shakespeare’s most memorable villains.

Wolf PackWolf Pack
Written by Edo van Belkom
ISBN 978-0-88776-669-5
Ages 10-14 | 184 Pages | Paperback

After a devastating forest fire, a ranger discovers a litter of wolf cubs. He and his wife soon learn that they are no ordinary wolves. They are both animal and human. Although the young ones try to fit into the human world, their true nature makes the challenges of being teenagers all the more difficult. When one of the pack is kidnapped, the others must draw on both sides of their nature – human and wolf – to find the cunning, the strength, and the courage it takes to rescue her. Check out the other titles in the series, Wolf Man, Lone Wolf, and Cry Wolf.

Eye of the CrowEye of the Crow: The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His First Case
Written by Shane Peacock
ISBN 978-0-88776-850-7
Ages 10-14 | 164 Pages | Hardcover

Shane Peacock has created a boy who bears all the seeds of the character who has mesmerized millions: the relentless eye, the sense of justice, and the complex ego. The boy Sherlock Holmes is a fascinating character who is sure to become a fast favorite with young readers everywhere. Check out the other titles in the series, Death in the Air, Vanishing Girl, and coming May 2010 The Secret Fiend.

The Castle on Deadman's IslandThe Castle on Deadman’s Island
Written by Curtis Parkinson
ISBN 978-0-88776-893-4
Ages 10-14 | 224 Pages | Paperback

Intrigue. An eccentric millionaire. A woman’s disappearance. A child’s skeleton. A ghost. A towering castle. A secret tunnel. All of these and more make up this compelling new mystery novel by award-winning author Curtis Parkinson. When the owner of the castle on Deadman’s Island dies, his bizarre will leaves it to three of his friends who hate each other. Dark schemes follow, and the curse of the castle, entrenched forever in local lore, strikes again. Also read the companion, Death in Kingsport.

GenesisGenesis
Written by Bernard Beckett
ISBN 978-0-7710-1142-9
Ages 12+ | 192 Pages | Hardcover
Co-published by McClelland & Stewart and Tundra Books

A brilliant and chilling dystopia for a new generation in the tradition of Brave New World. Anaximander, a young Academy candidate, is put through a gruelling exam. Her special subject: the life of Adam Forde, her long-dead hero. It’s late in the 21st century and the island Republic has emerged from a ruined, plague-ridden world, its citizens safe, but not free, and living in complete isolation from outside contact. Approaching planes are gunned down, refugees shot on sight. Until a man named Adam Forde rescued a girl from the sea.

Benny Bensky and the Giant Pumpkin HeistBenny Bensky and the Giant Pumpkin Heist
Written by Mary Borsky
Illustrated by Linda Hendry
ISBN 978-0-88776-607-7
Ages 8-12 | 128 Pages | Paperback

Benny Bensky is a big black dog with a nose for trouble. His owner, Rosie, and her best friend, Fran, are growing a giant pumpkin for the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off – and it looks like first prize (a ride on the first float in the parade at the country fair) is within their reach. But soon Benny and the girls are involved in solving a nefarious crime: someone is stealing the pumpkins, and what’s worse – the detective trio are getting the blame. On top of all this, Rosie must get glasses.

Don't Go into the ForestEasy-to-Read Spooky Tales
Written by Veronika Martenova Charles
Illustrated by David Parkins
Ages 5-8 | Paperback

Titles in this series include: Don’t Open the Door! Don’t Go Into the Forest! Don’t Go Near the Water! Don’t Go In There! Don’t Walk Alone at Night! Don’t Eat That! Don’t Enter the House! Don’t Forget! Don’t Talk to Strangers! and Don’t Touch That!

Dr Jekyll and Mr HydeDr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Adapted by Alan Grant
Illustrated by Cam Kennedy
ISBN 978-0-88776-882-8
Ages 10+ | 48 Pages | Paperback

Good and evil, right and wrong. Both are seen through the eyes of John Utterson, a lawyer and friend of the scientist Dr. Jekyll. After hearing the alarming account of the horrendous trampling of a small girl “like some damned juggernaut” by a violent man named Mr. Hyde, who also holds a connection to the lawyer’s dear friend, Utterson’s curiosity gets the better of him and he begins to investigate. As he probes further into the events and the hidden life of Mr. Hyde, Utterson slowly uncovers a terrifying and ghastly story.

A Thousand Years of PiratesA Thousand Years of Pirates
Written and illustrated by William Gilkerson
ISBN 978-0-88776-924-5
Ages 10+ | 96 Pages | Hardcover

Governor General’s award-winning author William Gilkerson has spent years researching and painting about pirates. From the terrible Black Beard to the fascinating Granuaile, or Grace O’Malley as the English called her, they have come alive under Gilkerson’s paintbrush. One can almost hear the creak of timbers, the snap of canvas while turning the pages.

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World Animal Day

October 4th is World Animal Day! Celebrate by spreading the word, volunteering, or by teaching a little one about the importance of animals. Please click on the following link to learn more about World Animal Day.

Wild AnimalsWild Animals!
Written by Eduardo Bustos
Illustrated by Lucho Rodriguez
ISBN 978-0-88776-946-7
Ages 2-5 | 24 Pages | Hardcover

Meet some of the most exotic, colorful creatures in the world. From Australia’s koala to South America’s spectacled bear and Africa’s lion. Illustrated in brilliant colors, each image evokes the power of these wonderful animals, and brief informative text will capture the imagination of young children.

Brigadier Gentle HeroBrigadier: Gentle Hero
Written by Judy Andrekson
Illustrated by David Parkins
ISBN 978-0-88776-904-7
Ages 8-11 | 96 Pages | Paperback

The true story of a gentle hero who won hearts and affection for his commitment to “serve and protect.” Brig was a Belgian draft cross, or grade horse, with just the right temperament to earn his place on the Mounted Unit of the Toronto Police Department. Brigadier was a golden chestnut with four white socks, and his size alone was imposing. But that wasn’t why Sergeant Graham Acott chose this horse above all the others with such certainty. The animal’s large, intelligent, and gentle eyes were what struck him. This was a horse, and a partner, perfectly suited to the job for which he’d been bred.

La PrimeraLa Primera: The Story of Wild Mustangs
Written by Ian Tyson
Illustrated by Adeline Halvorson
ISBN 978-0-88776-863-7
Ages 7-10 | 32 Pages | Hardcover

The story of the wild mustang in North America is the subject of “La Primera,” a song written and performed by Canadian folk singer and horse afficionado, Ian Tyson. And it is the subject of this handsome picture book with paintings by equine artist Adeline Halvorson. The rugged wild mustangs still exist, and their bloodlines are traceable all the way back to those first horses and the careful records the Spaniards kept. That the animals have survived for five hundred years, while the world around them changed, is a tribute to their endurance and fiery spirit.

EatsEats
Written by Marthe Jocelyn
Illustrated by Tom Slaughter
ISBN 978-0-88776-820-0
Ages 2-5 | 24 Pages | Hardcover

With a fresh cast of animal characters – and what they eat – the creative team of Marthe Jocelyn and Tom Slaughter has produced another work in their award-winning series for very young book and art lovers. Marthe Jocelyn’s simple concept of matching creatures – familiar and unusual – with their favorite foods is brought to life by the sparkling colors and masterfully cut paper shapes of Tom Slaughter’s illustrations; a first taste of modern art. And the surprise final picture makes a satisfying dessert.

The BirdmanThe Birdman
Written by Veronika Martenova Charles
Illustrated by Annouchka Gravel Galouchko and Stéphan Daigle
ISBN 978-0-88776-740-1
Ages 5-8 | 32 Pages | Hardcover

Author Veronika Martenova Charles read a short newspaper article about the “Birdman” of Calcutta and her imagination took flight. She traveled to India, found Noor Nobi, and witnessed the freeing of the birds for herself. The Birdman is a touching, true story, tenderly illustrated by Annouchka Gravel Galouchko and Stéphan Daigle. It is accompanied by an afterword, diary entries, and photographs of the author’s experience.

Creatures Great and SmallCreatures Great and Small
Written and illustrated by Karen Patkau
ISBN 978-0-88776-754-8
Ages 6-9 | 32 Pages | Hardcover

Join Toronto author and illustrator Karen Patkau as she explores the world of insects, mammals, sea jellies, reptiles, amphibians, birds, crustaceans, arachnids, and mollusks. From extremely large creatures, such as the blue whale, Chinese giant salamander, and goliath tarantula, to extremely small ones, such as the bumblebee bat, dwarf gecko, and fairy shrimp, embark on this informative, beautifully illustrated voyage of discovery. Even the simple fact-filled text is enchantingly presented in the voices of the animals themselves.

In My BackyardIn My Backyard
Written by Margriet Ruurs
Illustrated by Ron Broda
ISBN 978-0-88776-775-3
Ages 4-8 | 32 Pages | Hardcover

Find the ladybug in each illustration, along with a hidden animal, which becomes featured on the next page. A detailed legend and helpful hints on how to turn your own backyard into an inviting place for animals to live make this book a must-have for wildlife and nature lovers alike.

As Long As There Are WhalesAs Long as There Are Whales
Written by Evelyne Daigle
Illustrated by Daniel Grenier
Translated by Geneviève Wright
ISBN 978-0-88776-692-3
Ages 9+ | 48 Pages | Hardcover

Did you know?

  • Whales descend from a hairy doglike land mammal?
  • More than a dozen different species of whale migrate to the St. Lawrence each year?
  • In the early 1900s, there were over 5,000 beluga whales in the St. Lawrence? Today they number between 700 and 1,200 and are on the endangered species list.

The World of PenguinsThe World of Penguins
Written by Evelyne Daigle
Illustrated by Daniel Grenier
Translated by Geneviève Wright
ISBN 978-0-88776-799-9
Ages 9+ | 48 Pages | Hardcover

Did you know?

  • A penguin colony becomes a source of heat in cold weather
  • The colony provides protection from predators
  • The young in a penguin colony form a nursery, or crèches, leaving both parents free to fish together
Tundra Book Group