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 Kallie George!
About the Author:
KALLIE GEORGE is an author, editor and creative writing teacher. Her picture books include I Am a Meadow Mermaid, The Secret Fawn, and the Anne of Green Gables-inspired picture books If I Couldn’t Be Anne; Goodnight, Anne and Merry Christmas, Anne; as well as her chapter book series adapted from the Anne of Green Gables books. Kallie has written other acclaimed books for children, including I Hear You, Forest, as well as the chapter book series Crimson Twill, Bibbidi Bobbidi Academy, and Heartwood Hotel. She has also taught writing workshops for children and adults. Kallie always loves spending time at the beach, making sand cakes and other sandy treats with her family.
Spotlight on Kallie George:
What inspired you to write a story about a beachside baker?
Many of my book ideas come to me in different ways, but I would say overarchingly I’m outside when I think of ideas. I’m often hiking, exploring, or playing in nature. Sand Cakes was no different. I remember when I came up with it! I was with my older son, playing at the beach. I live on the West coast and spend a lot of time near the ocean. We were making cakes out of sand, instead of sand castles. We decorated them with shells and seaweed. The tide was rising, threatening to wash our cakes away. On the way home, the little song of “Sand-cake, sun cake, will you eat what I’ve baked” came into my head.
How did you come up with the idea of using sand as the main ingredient for the treats?
As I mentioned above, I was actually making a little sand cake instead of a sand castle. I think (if I can remember correctly) that my son and I didn’t bring any buckets or toys to the beach, and it was easier to pat a little cake out of the sand. I don’t remember now if it was me or him who called it a sand cake, I do know we pretended it was a birthday cake at one point and found a little sticks to be the candles.
How do you craft the poetic elements in your writing for young readers?
Each book is different. In this particular one, I use a simple rhyme pattern and lot of alliteration (“crispy-crusted”, “patted-perfect”), and repetition (“sand-cake, sun-cake”). There are long strings of adjectives in this book, almost like tongue twisters. I wanted it to be fun to read aloud. I suppose there’s a tradition of beachy tongue twisters, with “she sells sea shells by the seashore”!
Can you share any behind-the-scenes details about the making of this book?
I really loved working on this with the Tundra team. We spent a lot of time on word choice – which descriptions worked the best. I tried to think of all the things that I’ve used to decorate sand castles and sand cakes at the beach – sea foam and sea glass, seaweed and sticks.
Do you have a favorite treat that the little baker makes in the book? Do you have a favorite illustration or spread?
Devon’s artwork is sublime. I absolutely adore the spreads where the sea “eats” the sand cakes. I love how, if you look very closely, you can even see a “face” in the waves. I LOVE the endpapers on this book too. I think my favorite treat that the baker makes are the sunbeam-butter-cream tarts. They should so good, I would eat one of those!
Books by Kallie George:
Sand Cakes Written by Kallie George Illustrated by Devon Holzwarth 48 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9781774882474 | Tundra Books Available: April 22, 2025 Sand cake, Sun cake, Sprinkle-topped with rocks cake. Will you eat what I baked? A fun day at the beach means making some sweet treats to share with everyone! The main ingredient? Sand of course! No matter how yummy her rock-sprinkled cakes, seaweed pies and sea foam cream puffs look, this little beachside baker can’t seem to get ANYONE to eat her sandy sweets. Even the seagulls turn their beaks up! Will she ever find a customer willing to give them a try? Buoyantly poetic, this funny and sweet picture book from author Kallie George, featuring endearing illustrations from Devon Holzwarth, is a read-aloud treat for readers of all ages.
I Am a Meadow Mermaid Written by Kallie George Illustrated by Elly MacKay 32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735271371 | Tundra Books A little girl dreams of adventures in the water and feels the spirit of the ocean all around her . . . even though she lives on the prairie, with flat land as far as the eye can see. But she won’t let a little detail like that stand in the way of being a meadow mermaid! Frolicking in the “waves” of wheat and “oceans” of grass, spying sea horses and . . . a shipwrecked sailor? Even if that shipwreck is actually an overturned bike and the sailor a new kid from a neighboring field, it’s still a chance to make a new friend, one with an imagination as expansive and a love of the ocean as deep as the little girl’s own. This fanciful, whimsical picture book will charm young mermaids and little pirates everywhere, and inspire them to embrace the spirit of the ocean in the things around them, no matter where they live!
The Secret Fawn Written by Kallie George Illustrated by Elly MacKay 40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735265165 | Tundra Books A little girl is always missing out on the wonderful things her family gets to see and do, just because she is the youngest and smallest. She misses seeing shooting stars because she goes to bed too early; she can’t pick the first apple of autumn because she’s too short; and, this morning, everyone else got to see a deer . . . except her. She goes into her backyard in search of the deer, a sugar cube tucked in her pocket. She sees a flick of brown in the orchard – is that the deer? No, it’s just the neighbor’s friendly dog (shhhhh, Nala!). Is that it by the pond? No, that’s just a bird, playing in the water. Just when she’s about to give up, she spots a fawn, beautiful, quiet and small . . . just like her. The Secret Fawn beautifully captures the power of nature to inspire children and shows how connecting with animals can help kids who feel left out or overlooked.
If I Couldn’t Be Anne Written by Kallie George Illustrated by Geneviève Godbout 40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9781770499287 | Tundra Books In this whimsical and magical picture book, Anne’s boundless imagination takes flight! She imagines being all the things she loves so dearly. If I Couldn’t Be Anne, Anne with an e, what would I be . . . Anne wonders what it would be like to be the wind dancing round the treetops. A tightrope walker, breathless and brave. A princess in a palace made of apple blossoms. A magical frost fairy or a plain little wood elf. . . . But even as Anne’s imagination soars far and wide, she comes back down to earth, recognizing that some things – like friendship! – are even better than the imagination.
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
Tuesdays with Tundra is an ongoing series featuring our new releases. These titles are now available in stores and online!
Frostfire By Elly MacKay 44 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735266988 | Tundra Books On a walk through a snow-covered garden, big sister Miriam claims to hear the sound of a snow dragon. Little sister Celeste has lots of questions: snow dragons are real? Where do they hide? What do they eat? And is that frost on the greenhouse windows or is it . . . frostfire? Miriam seems to have an answer for everything about snow dragons. But when Celeste wanders off, she has a magical encounter that changes everything she thought she knew. Told through gently playful dialogue and brought to life with spectacular works of paper diorama art, Elly Mackay’s newest picture book is an enchanting wintertime adventure destined to become a classic seasonal fairy tale that readers will enjoy for years to come.
The Kiss of the Nightingale By Adi Denner 384 Pages | Ages 14+ | Hardcover ISBN 9781774885253 | Tundra Books 1890, Lutèce:In this city, Talents are everything: precious gems that gift unrivaled skills to their owners. The most coveted, Elite Talents, are claimed by the aristocracy, passed through generations by blood magic. Cleodora dreamed of inheriting her father’s Tailoring Talent, but when he died, the magic died with him. Now she’s left with empty promises, a dress shop she can’t keep afloat, and her bedridden younger sister. But everything changes when she meets the dark-eyed Lady Dahlia Sibille. Dahlia offers Cleodora a Singing Talent – a chance to save her beloved sister and rewrite her own fate. From the first instant, Cleodora is bewitched . . . There’s just one catch: she needs to steal an Elite Talent from the prestigious Lenoir family. As Lutèce’s nightingale, Cleodora is the star of the opera’s galas and balls, worlds away from the darkness and dust of home. But the handsome yet infuriating Vicomte Lenoir is nothing like she expected. Soon, the Vicomte’s teasing smiles win her over, even as Dahlia’s seductive whispers linger in her ears. Torn between Dahlia, who gave her everything, and the Vicomte, who holds the price of her freedom, is Cleodora in danger of losing it all? Or can she prove that magic isn’t the only gift that counts?
The Kiss of the Nightingale is also available today in audiobook!
New in Paperback:
Scaredy Squirrel Gets Festive By Melanie Watt 84 Pages | Ages 6-9 | Paperback ISBN 9781774886434 | Tundra Books In his third NUTTY ADVENTURE, Scaredy is getting ready for Christmas ahead of time . . . WAY ahead of time (June). When December finally rolls around, Scaredy has everything in place: perfect red-and-green decorations, a perfect get-together planned (no parties!), perfectly personalized gifts for each of his friends, all the required permits for gingerbread-house construction (perfectly filled out) and, of course, a perfectly secured premises with a perfect spot for Santa. Yup, nothing can possibly go wrong . . . until friends Rash and Tim break the decorations! But Scaredy is filled with the spirit of the holiday and happy to help his friends finish their Christmas shopping. (Unless they’re shopping for Gary the germ?!) Prepare to get festive this Christmas with Scaredy and friends!
We can’t wait to see you reading these titles! If you share these books online, remember to use #ReadTundra in your hashtags so that we can re-post.
September 15th marked Cloud Appreciation Day, an internationally celebrated day where people are encouraged to spend a few moments with their heads in the clouds, so we’ve collected some books to help get you there.
Cloud Babies By Eoin Colfer Illustrated by Chris Judge 40 Pages | Ages 5-9 | Hardcover ISBN 9781536231076 | Candlewick Six-year-old Erin’s favorite game is spotting animals in the clouds with her mom and dad – everything from fluffy foxes and polar bears to little rabbits. Even when Erin falls very ill and has to spend a long time in the hospital, she still manages to find joy in spying “cloud babies” through the window with her new hospital friends. When the doctor tells Erin she can go home, she is so excited! But being back at school is not at all what she expected – so much has changed, and Erin must reconcile the safe realm she’s just left with a world outside that has become unfamiliar. With Mom and Dad’s love and wisdom, however, and with the help of her teacher and friends, Erin comes to see that by sharing her experience she can find happiness again in just being herself. Sensitively told and vibrantly brought to life, Cloud Babies brings recognition and comfort to children facing illness or hardship, as well as guidance to those who wish to offer support but may not know where to start.
In the Clouds By Elly MacKay 44 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735266964 | Tundra Books A bored and curious little girl wishes for a bit of sunshine on a cloudy day. But a friendly bird soon whisks her off for an adventure in the sky, where she can contemplate questions both scientific and philosophical in nature: how do clouds float? Or carry the rain? Where do they go when they disappear? Are there clouds on other planets? Do they have memories? Have they ever seen a girl like her? This dreamy picture book from the inimitable Elly MacKay features her trademark stunning, light-infused spreads that beautifully capture the wondrousness of clouds and the power of nature to inspire and stimulate imaginations.
Kumo: The Bashful Cloud By Kyo Maclear Illustrated by Nathalie Dion 64 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735267282 | Tundra Books Kumo is a cloud whose only wish is to float unseen. When she’s assigned cloud duty for the day, she feels overwhelmed by self-doubt and her fear of being noticed. But after learning that closing your eyes isn’t a good solution to your troubles, Kumo pulls her fluff together and does her duties – drifting, releasing rain and providing shelter – meeting some new friends along the way and inspiring the imagination (and capturing the heart) of a small daydreamer like her. Kyo Maclear’s sweetly humorous and lyrical parable about shyness, vividly brought to life by Nathalie Dion’s ethereal illustrations, is an affirmation of the pleasures of community and the confidence that can arise from friendship and visibility.
Little Cloud By Eric Carle 32 Pages | Ages 2-5 | Paperback ISBN 9780698118300 | World Of Eric Carle The clouds drift across the bright blue sky – all except one. Little Cloud trails behind. He is busy changing shapes to become a fluffy sheep, a zooming airplane, and even a clown with a funny hat. Eric Carle’s trademark collages will make every reader want to run outside and discover their very own little cloud.
Marshmallow Clouds: Two Poets at Play among Figures of Speech By Ted Kooser and Connie Wanek Illustrated by Richard Jones 72 Pages | Ages 10+ | Hardcover ISBN 9781536203035 | Candlewick A freewheeling romp through the world of imagery and metaphor, this quietly startling collection of thirty poems, framed by the four elements, is about art and reality, fact and fancy. Look around: what do you see? A clown balancing a pie in a tree, or an empty nest perched on a leafless branch? As poet Connie Wanek alludes to in her afterword – a lively dialogue with former US Poet Laureate Ted Kooser – sometimes the simplest sights and sounds “summon our imaginations” and cry out to be clothed in the alchemical language of poetry. This compendium of the fleeting and unexpected turns the everyday – turtles, trees, and tadpoles; cow pies, lazy afternoons, and pillowy white marshmallows – into poetic gold. A brilliant and timeless collaboration that evokes both the mystery and grandeur of the natural world and the cozy, mundane moments of daily life, this exquisitely illustrated collection is the go-to gift book of the season for poetry fans of all ages.
Misty the Cloud: A Very Stormy Day By Dylan Dreyer Illustrated by Rosie Butcher 40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Paperback ISBN 9780593180419 | Dragonfly Books When Misty the Cloud wakes up feeling stormy, nothing seems to make her day better! But with help from friends and family, Misty accepts that sometimes she’s just going to be a little stormy – and it will always pass. A perfect story for young children learning to understand their emotions. From award-winning meteorologist Dylan Dreyer, Misty the Cloud: A Very Stormy Day is the first book in a sky-high series about how to deal with good days, bad days, and everything in between. With extra content featuring science experiments for kids to do at home!
Ploof By Ben Clanton and Andy Chou Musser 56 Pages | Ages 2-5 | Hardcover ISBN 9781774881927 | Tundra Books Ploof is a puffy cloud who’s a little lonely – but now you’re here, and the fun can begin! Can you help Ploof overcome their shyness? Play pretend? Make Ploof laugh with your funny faces, find their hiding spot, give them a high five! Full of imaginative and interactive fun, each page of this perfect book for preschoolers offers a chance to play. By following cues to say hello, clap, blow, shake, wave or make a funny face, young readers will be delighted to see the effects of their actions on Ploof. They’ll learn social-emotional skills like empathy, encouragement and kindness through Ploof’s emotional journey – and, along the way, they’ll learn how to be a fantastic friend!
Tomie dePaola’s The Cloud Book By Tomie dePaola 32 Pages | Ages 5-8 | Hardcover ISBN 9780823445486 | Holiday House Tomie dePaola knows a lot about clouds. He also knows a lot about what people think of them. Some people see animals and pictures in clouds. The ancient Greeks believed that Hermes, the messenger of the gods, once stole the sun’s cattle, which were clouds. In this unique picture book, Tomie introduces some of the most common types of clouds, as well as the myths and legends inspired by their shapes. Simple, whimsical illustrations show the variations in shape and color that herald changes in the weather. This book will tell you many things about clouds we bet you didn’t know. Filled with his signature humor and gentle illustrations, Tomie dePaola’s approach to nonfiction is like no other.
When Cloud Became a Cloud By Rob Hodgson 64 Pages | Ages 2-5 | Hardcover ISBN 9780593224915 | Rise x Penguin Workshop The lifecycle of our protagonist, Cloud, is delightfully and sparsely narrated in nine short chapters that follow the stages of the water cycle. Young readers will immediately fall for this wide-eyed puff, and welcome facts along with humor and personality as they bask in the accomplishment of breezing through each chapter.
Who Owns the Clouds? By Mario Brassard Illustrated by Gérard DuBois 100 Pages | Ages 12+ | Hardcover ISBN 9781774880210 | Tundra Books Even though Mila is no longer a child, she is overcome by memories – memories of a childhood halfway between reality and dreaming, and not knowing which is which. In her dreams, Mila and her family leave their bombed village to stand in line for weeks on end, suitcases in hand, hoping to move on to better lives. But the memories of her uncle’s disappearance, and the approach of looming clouds, keep blurring the lines between past and present, real and unreal. How can Mila move forward? Perhaps if the clouds can remind her of where she’s from, they can also show her where to go . . . Winner of a Governor General’s Award, Canada’s most prestigious literary prize, and the Bologna Ragazzi Award, this stunningly evocative book about experience, trauma and healing will stay with readers from beginning to end.
On June 13th, 1908, Lucy Maud Montgomery brought the beloved character Anne Shirley into the homes of readers of all ages. Since then, Anne has gone on to become an icon in children’s literature and on the screen. To celebrate 115 years of Anne, check out our list of not-tragical Tundra titles that we think you’ll love as much as Anne loves Octobers.
Board Books
Anne’s Alphabet By Kelly Hill 28 Pages | Ages 0-3 | Board Book ISBN 9780735262867 | Tundra Books Iconic moments from the beloved L.M. Montgomery classic are celebrated in this adorable concept book. Artist Kelly Hill creates vignettes of the most recognizable moments from Anne of Green Gables, including nosy neighbors, freckles, kindred spirits and imagination. Each letter of the alphabet is brought to life through a memorable Anne scene, with simple text and tactile, gorgeous works of art created from cut fabric and embroidery.
Anne’s Colors By Kelly Hill 20 Pages | Ages 0-3 | Board Book ISBN 9780735262843 | Tundra Books Iconic moments from the beloved L.M. Montgomery classic are celebrated in this adorable concept book. Artist Kelly Hill creates vignettes of the most recognizable scenes from Anne of Green Gables, including Anne and Diana’s first meeting, Gilbert pulling Anne’s hair, Anne’s puffed-sleeve dress and even Anne and Diana sharing raspberry cordial! Each scene has its own color, with simple text and tactile, gorgeous works of art created from cut fabric and embroidery.
Anne’s Feelings By Kelly Hill 24 Pages | Ages 0-3 | Board Book ISBN 9780735262874 | Tundra Books Iconic moments from the beloved L.M. Montgomery classic are celebrated in this adorable concept book. Artist Kelly Hill creates vignettes that showcase Anne’s wide array of feelings, including happy, brave and, of course, the depths of despair. Each feeling is brought to life through a memorable Anne scene, with simple text and tactile, gorgeous works of art created from cut fabric and embroidery.
Anne’s Numbers By Kelly Hill 22 Pages | Ages 0-3 | Board Book ISBN 9780735262850 | Tundra Books Iconic moments from the beloved L.M. Montgomery classic are celebrated in this adorable concept book. Walk along with Anne as she goes on a nature walk, counting trees, flowers, clouds and friends! The path Anne takes is based on the description of Anne’s walk to school in Anne of Green Gables. Each scene has multiple counting opportunities, with simple text and tactile, gorgeous works of art created from cut fabric and embroidery.
Picture Books
Goodnight, Anne By Kallie George Illustrated by Geneviève Godbout 40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Paperback ISBN 9780735271739 | Tundra Books Under the watchful eye of her adoptive mother Marilla, Anne has come to cherish life at Green Gables – the dearest, loveliest spot in the world, and her true home. Every night before she goes to bed, she thinks of all the people and places she loves: her family, her bosom friend Diana, her splendid teacher Miss Stacy, beloved tree Snow Queen, the Lake of Shining Waters and the brilliant sky above. Anne even wishes goodnight – or good riddance! – to pesky classmate Gilbert and nosy neighbor Mrs. Lynde. And through it all, Anne’s imagination takes flight on a whimsical journey through Avonlea.
If I Couldn’t Be Anne By Kallie George Illustrated by Genevieve Godbout 40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9781770499287 | Tundra Books In this whimsical and magical picture book, Anne’s boundless imagination takes flight! She imagines being all the things she loves so dearly. If I Couldn’t Be Anne, Anne with an e, what would I be . . . Anne wonders what it would be like to be the wind dancing round the treetops. A tightrope walker, breathless and brave. A princess in a palace made of apple blossoms. A magical frost fairy or a plain little wood elf. . . . But even as Anne’s imagination soars far and wide, she comes back down to earth, recognizing that some things – like friendship! – are even better than the imagination.
Merry Christmas, Anne By Kallie George Illustrated by Geneviève Godbout 40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735267183 | Tundra Books It’s Christmas in Avonlea, and Anne is thankful for so many things: feathery frosts and silvery seas, and wreaths as round as the moon. But most of all, she’s thankful for her kindred spirits, including Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, who adopted her, and her bosom friend Diana. But Anne is distracted this holiday by having to recite at the upcoming Christmas concert. And she feels bad that her kindred spirits give her so much during the year when she has very little to give in return. Can Anne overcome her jitters and make her kindred spirits proud – and also think of a way to show her appreciation for the people she loves? With magical illustrations and a heartfelt message, this festive picture book is the perfect holiday read for Anne fans old and new and a joyous way to celebrate the season.
Chapter Books
Anne Arrives By Kallie George Illustrated by Abigail Halpin 72 Pages | Ages 6-9 | Paperback ISBN 9781770499300 | Tundra Books Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert need help on their farm, so they’ve adopted what they hope will be a sturdy, helpful boy. Instead, Matthew finds Anne awaiting him at the train station – imaginative, brash, redheaded Anne-with-an-e. With her place at the Cuthberts’ at risk – particularly if nosy neighbor Mrs. Lynde has anything to say about it – Anne will have to learn patience, understanding and what it takes to make Green Gables her true home.
Anne’s Kindred Spirits By Kallie George Illustrated by Abigail Halpin 64 Pages | Ages 6-9 | Paperback ISBN 9780735266940 | Tundra Books The sweet and funny second book in a new early-reader series, starring the spirited and outspoken Anne Shirley as she makes friends and settles into life at Green Gables – with a few hijinks along the way, of course! Anne is nervous and excited to meet Diana, a neighbor girl who she just knows will be a kindred spirit. She’s even more excited when she learns that she’s invited to her very first picnic! Until Marilla’s precious brooch goes missing and it looks like it’s Anne’s fault. That is, Marilla is upset and Anne’s picnic adventure is now in jeopardy. Ultimately, the misunderstanding with the brooch is resolved and Anne is able to go to the picnic. Anne and Diana’s friendship blossoms and Anne’s bond with Matthew and Marilla grows stronger.
Anne’s School Days By Kallie George Illustrated by Abigail Halpin 72 Pages | Ages 6-9 | Paperback ISBN 9780735267343 | Tundra Books Anne loves autumn in Avonlea, and she’s been enjoying her first three weeks of school. It helps that she walks to school with and sits next to her kindred spirit, Diana Barry. However, one day, Gilbert Blythe joins the class. According to Diana, he’s very handsome, and smart too. However, Gilbert immediately gets on Anne’s nerves. When he pulls on Anne’s braid and calls her “Carrots” because of her red hair, enough is enough. How can Anne enjoy school when Gilbert is ruining everything? Anne vows never to talk to Gilbert again, and even stops going to school for a time when her teacher forces Anne to sit next to her rival. But later, when Anne has an accident on the pond and her wooden plank sinks, who should come to her rescue but her nemesis, Gilbert Blythe?
Anne’s Tragical Tea Party By Kallie George Illustrated by Abigail Halpin 72 Pages | Ages 6-9 | Paperback ISBN 9780735267350 | Tundra Books Anne loves having pretend tea parties by herself. She even decorates her room with branches and colorful leaves for the occasion. Marilla Cuthbert, who adopted Anne in the last year, wishes Anne would act a little more sensibly. One day, Marilla comes up with a plan to keep Anne out of mischief – Anne can host her very own tea party and invite her kindred spirit, Diana Barry! Anne is thrilled, and sets out to host the most lovely and grown-uppish tea party she can muster. But when she makes Diana sick by accidentally giving her the wrong drink, Diana’s mother is furious. Can Anne be forgiven? Will she ever be allowed to play with Diana again?
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Anne Dares By Kallie George Illustrated by Abigail Halpin 72 Pages | Ages 6-9 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735272101 | Tundra Books Available October 17, 2023 Anne is excited to be a guest at a party at Orchard Slope, the home of her kindred spirit, Diana Barry. But when the dares start and mean Josie Pye makes the others feel bad, Anne can’t stop herself from challenging Josie to a dare . . . which leads to Anne being dared to climb the house and walk along the ridgepole! Anne’s dangerous dare ends in injury . . . and teaches her an important lesson. But Anne must pluck up her courage again when she is chosen to recite at a Christmas concert! How can Anne perform in front of so many people? And what is shy Matthew Cuthbert hiding from the family?
Original Novels
Anne of Green Gables By L.M. Montgomery 384 Pages | Ages 8+ | Paperback | Hardcover | Tundra Books When Marilla Cuthbert and her brother, Matthew, decide to adopt a child from a distant orphanage, they don’t get quite what they bargained for. The child who awaits them at the tiny Bright River train station is not the strapping young boy they’d imagined – someone to help Matthew work the fields of their small farm – but rather a freckle-faced, redheaded girl named Anne (with an e, if you please). Matthew and Marilla may not be sure about Anne, but Anne takes one look at Prince Edward Island’s red clay roads and the Cuthberts’ snug white farmhouse with its distinctive green gables and decides that she’s home at last. But will she be able to convince Marilla and Matthew to let her stay? Armed with only a battered carpetbag and a boundless imagination, Anne charms her way into the Cuthberts’ hearts – and into the hearts of readers as well. She truly is, in the words of Mark Twain, “the dearest and most lovable child in fiction since the immortal Alice.”
Anne of Avonlea By L.M. Montgomery 352 Pages | Ages 8+ | Paperback | Hardcover | Tundra Books In the years since she arrived at Green Gables, Anne has earned the love and respect of the people of Avonlea – as well as a reputation for getting herself into predicaments. Now sixteen years old – and bound and determined to look after Marilla in the wake of Matthew’s death – she’s about to begin her job as the town’s new schoolteacher. Soon enough she is the one learning lessons, however, as she starts to realize how complicated life can be. In her usual well-intentioned but meddlesome way, Anne is quickly interfering in a new friend’s thwarted romance, coping with two new orphans at Green Gables, and getting drawn into the lives of her mostly charming and occasionally exasperating students at Avonlea school. The once awkward, freckle-faced little girl is now a mature and responsible young woman, but Anne’s imaginative spirit is as strong as ever in this sequel to the much-loved Anne of Green Gables.
Anne of the Island By L.M. Montgomery 320 Pages | Ages 8+ | Paperback | Hardcover | Tundra Books Eighteen-year-old Anne has left Green Gables for university in nearby Nova Scotia, where she will finally fulfill her dream of earning a degree. She sets up home in a cozy cottage in bustling Kingsport with Avonlea’s Priscilla Grant and a new friend, the beautiful Philippa Gordon. But it’s not all fun and games. Anne’s childhood friend, Ruby Gillis, dies of tuberculosis back in Avonlea, shattering Anne’s carefree attitude to life, and Gilbert finally declares his feelings and proposes. But Anne still has a naïve, overly romantic view of love and rejects him, driving a wedge between them. A two-year relationship with a fellow Redmond College student, Roy Gardner, follows, but when he also proposes, Anne realizes that he’s not the one for her after all. When she returns to Avonlea and learns that Gilbert is deathly ill with typhoid, she is distraught. Will she recognize the depth of her feelings at last? Or is it already too late for Anne and her one true love?
Anne of Windy Poplars By L.M. Montgomery 368 Pages | Ages 8+ | Paperback | Hardcover | Tundra Books Anne Shirley has left Redmond College and Green Gables behind to begin a new chapter of her life in the “dreaming town” of Summerside. She’s soon facing an unexpected challenge, however, in the form of the Pringles – also known as the royal family of Summerside. They quickly let Anne know that she’s not the person they had wanted as principal of Summerside High School. But as she settles into her cozy tower room at Windy Poplars, Anne finds she also has great allies in two elderly widows, Aunt Kate and Aunt Chatty, and their irrepressible housekeeper, Rebecca Dew. Slowly, she begins to unravel Summerside’s strangest secrets – revealing everything in letters to Gilbert, who’s away at medical school. And in the end, Anne’s able to win the support of even the prickly Pringles, in what is only the first of many delicious triumphs.
Anne’s House of Dreams By L.M. Montgomery 320 Pages | Ages 8+ | Paperback | Hardcover | Tundra Books Gilbert Blythe is finally a doctor, and at long last he and Anne are ready to say their vows. Soon husband and wife will be bound for a new life together in their own house of dreams, on the shores of Four Winds Harbor, near Gilbert’s new medical practice in the village of Glen St. Mary. Of course, a new life brings fresh surprises and fresh problems to solve. Anne and Gilbert soon find themselves entangled in the lives of their neighbors, including the lighthouse attendant, Captain Jim, with his sad stories of the sea; Miss Cornelia Bryant, a formidable woman who always speaks her mind; Owen Ford, who longs to write the Great Canadian Novel; and the tragically beautiful Leslie Moore, to whom Anne grows closer when her own perfect life is touched by heartbreak.
Anne of Ingleside By L.M. Montgomery 400 Pages | Ages 8+ | Paperback | Hardcover | Tundra Books There’s never a dull moment for busy, bustling Anne, who’s now the mother of five children and has a sixth one on the way. With her visiting aunt, the insufferable Mary Maria, also in the mix – and soon wearing out her welcome – Anne’s life is a constant whirl. But despite the endless demands on her time, Anne can’t think of any place she’d rather be than her beloved Ingleside. At least not until the day she begins to imagine that her cherished Gilbert doesn’t love her anymore. Could it possibly be true? She’s a little older, maybe, but in her heart she knows she’s still the same fiery redhead who came to Green Gables all those years ago. She hasn’t changed, but has he? Never one to go down without a fight, the irrepressible, indomitable Anne sets out to make her husband fall in love with her all over again.
Rainbow Valley By L.M. Montgomery 320 Pages | Ages 8+ | Paperback | Hardcover | Tundra Books Anne and Gilbert have now been married for fifteen years and are busily raising their six rambunctious children in the village of Glen St. Mary. But when a new minister, John Meredith, comes to town with his own four youngsters in tow, things get very boisterous indeed. Together, the Blythe and Meredith children hatch schemes in their own private hideout – a hollow they call Rainbow Valley. There, they plot to rescue a young runaway named Mary Vance, and even form the Good-Conduct Club so the Meredith children can redeem themselves in the eyes of the disapproving townspeople. But their grandest and most important scheme centers around poor widowed John Meredith himself, who has surprised everyone by falling in love once more. Will the Meredith children – with the help of their new friends, the Blythes – be able to bring happiness back into the life of their lonely father at last? There’s always an adventure brewing in the world of Rainbow Valley.
Rilla of Ingleside By L.M. Montgomery 384 Pages | Ages 8+ | Paperback | Hardcover | Tundra Books It’s 1914 and the world is on the brink of war. But at almost fifteen, Anne and Gilbert’s youngest daughter, Rilla, dreams only of her first dance and getting her first kiss from the dashing Kenneth Ford. Soon, however, even far-off Ingleside is engulfed by Europe’s raging conflict, as Rilla’s brothers Jem and Walter both enlist, and Rilla finds herself caring for an orphaned newborn. As the conflict spreads, the Blythes wait anxiously for word of their absent sons, and a bad omen leads them to conclude that something terrible has happened overseas. Have Jem and Walter been lost, like so many valiant young men before them? And what of Kenneth Ford? Will he ever return to Ingleside to keep the promise he made to Rilla before he left? In this final book in the Anne of Green Gables series, young Rilla Blythe is swept into a drama that tests her courage and changes her life forever.
