The 2013 Vancouver Writers Fest

VWF

The Vancouver Writers Fest turns reading into a community experience, bringing people together to share thoughts, explore ideas, and witness brilliant conversations.

Eric Walters’ young adult novels have won numerous awards, including the Silver Birch, Blue Heron, Red Maple, Snow Willow and Ruth Schwartz Awards, and have received honours from UNESCO’s international award for literature in the service of tolerance. His most recent book is My Name is Blessing.

Stories in Good Company
My Name Is BlessingWednesday, October 23, 2013 – 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Waterfront Theatre
$17 / $8.50 for school groups
Suitable for grades K–3

Veteran children’s author Eric Walters has written more than 80 books that have won more than 100 awards, so you’re in for an afternoon of great storytelling and creative genius. Walters’ newest story, My Name Is Blessing, follows a young Kenyan boy whose disability turns out to be a blessing. He teams up with two other Canadian children’s authors, Dan Bar-el and Ashely Spires, who will entertain with stories about Binky the cat, who plots an escape from the vet, and Crispin, the scaly dragon who can’t even light his own birthday candles. Come and enjoy an hour in the company of good stories for the young.

Tuesdays with Tundra 32

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

Death of a KingDeath of a King
Written by Andrew H. Vanderwal
Hardcover | 304 Pages | Ages 10+
ISBN: 978-1-77049-398-8
eBook: 978-1-77049-399-5
Twelve-year-old Alex, determined to get to the bottom of his parents’ disappearance, sets out on a quest to find them. An ambitious time-travel novel set in Scotland at the time of William Wallace, Death of a King explores the turbulence of the bloody late thirteenth century after King Alexander dies on his way to Kinghorn without leaving an heir to the throne. The country is thrown into chaos, and Alex must overcome many obstacles along his path.

Little Red LiesLittle Red Lies
Written by Julie Johnston
Hardcover | 352 Pages | Ages 10+
ISBN: 978-1-77049-313-1
eBook: 978-1-77049-314-8
The war is over, but for thirteen-year-old Rachel, the battle has just begun. Putting childhood behind her, she knows what she wants – to prove she has acting talent worthy of the school drama club, and what she doesn’t want – to romantically fall for someone completely inappropriate. Worries about her veteran brother’s failing health and repugnance at her mother’s unexpected and unwanted pregnancy drive her to seek solace from a seemingly sympathetic, but self-serving teacher.

ShadowsShadows
Written by Paula Weston
Hardcover | 400 Pages | Ages 14+
ISBN: 978-1-77049-547-0
eBook: 978-1-77049-549-4
It’s almost a year since Gaby Winters watched her twin brother die. In the sunshine of a new town her body has healed, but her grief is raw and constant. It doesn’t help that every night in her dreams she fights and kills hell-beasts. And then Rafa comes to town. Not only does he look exactly like the guy who’s been appearing in Gaby’s dreams, he tells her things about her brother and her life that cannot be true, things that are dangerous . . .

Touched by FireTouched by Fire
Written by Irene N.Watts
Hardcover | 208 Pages | Ages 10+
ISBN: 978-1-77049-524-1
eBook: 978-1-77049-525-8
Teenage Miriam gives a first-hand account of the excitement everyone feels about going to America, the “Golden Land,” the journey in steerage, the arrival at Ellis Island, and the discrimination the immigrants feel while seeking employment. When Miriam finally lands a job at the Triangle Shirt Waist Company as a cuff setter, she believes her future in the New World is finally secure. But on March 25, 1911, the fire that starts from overflowing bins of material scraps rages into what becomes known as the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, and Miriam’s life is forever changed.

My Name Is BlessingMy Name Is Blessing
Written by Eric Walters
Illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 6-9
ISBN: 978-1-77049-301-8
Based on the life of a real boy, this warm-hearted, beautifully illustrated book tells the story of Baraka, a young Kenyan boy with a physical disability. Baraka and eight cousins live with their grandmother. She gives them boundless love, but there is never enough money or food, and life is hard – love doesn’t feed hungry stomachs or clothe growing bodies, or school keen minds. Baraka is too young, and, with his disability, needs too much, and she is too old. A difficult choice must be made, and grandmother and grandchild set off on a journey to see if there is a place at the orphanage for Baraka.

Pub Date Giveaway: In the comments below, please tell us which new September release of Tundra’s you would love to read and one lucky reader will receive their requested book! One request per person and please review our rules. This giveaway ends at midnight on Monday, September 16, 2013!

UPDATE: Congratulations to Lori who has won a copy of My Name Is Blessing!

2013 Telling Tales: A Festival of Stories

Telling Tales

This year, the 5th annual Telling Tales: A Family Festival of Stories is being held on Sunday, September 15, 2013 at the Westfield Heritage Village. Gates open at 9:30am and the festival ends around 4:00pm. Parents, grandparents, educators, aspiring writers and illustrators, established writers and illustrators, storytellers, musicians, literacy champions, history buffs, and lovers of stories will enjoy Telling Tales!

Cary Fagan at Telling Tales
Cary Fagan reading Mr. Zinger’s Hat at Telling Tales in 2012.

Location:
Westfield Heritage Village
Rockton, ON L0R 1X0

Located about 30 minutes from Hamilton, Kitchener, Cambridge, Waterloo, Brantford, Burlington, Oakville, and Milton. Guests can park at the Rockton Fairgrounds and take the 5 minute complimentary shuttle service (thanks to Hillfield-Strathallan Colleges) to Westfiled Heritage Village. All free of charge! There is NO General parking at Westfield.

Marthe Jocelyn sharing Ones and Twos at Telling Tales in 2012.
Marthe Jocelyn sharing Ones and Twos at Telling Tales in 2012.

Don’t forget to meet our authors at the festival this year:

My Name Is BlessingERIC WALTERS
Jerseyville Railway Station from 10:30 am – 11:00 am
Bryan Prince Bookseller tent at 11:15 am and 2:15 pm
Lockhart Meadow from 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Clever KatarinaKEN SETTERINGTON
Mountsberg Church from 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm
Bryan Prince Bookseller tent at 12:45 pm and 2:15 pm
Native Village from 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm

SplintersKEVIN SYLVESTER
Jerseyville Railway Station from 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm
Bryan Prince Bookseller tent at 1:15 pm and 3:45 pm
Bandstand from 3:00 pm – 3:30 pm

For more information about the festival, visit the Telling Tales website or download the schedule and program. There’s even a festival app!