Telling Tales 2011

This year, the 3rd annual Telling Tales: A Family Festival of Stories is being held on Sunday, September 18, 2011 at the Westfield Heritage Village. Gates open at 9:30am and the festival ends around 4:00pm. You don’t want to miss it, Telling Tales won the 2010 Tourism Hamilton Award of Excellence – Festival of the Year!

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

Bradley McGogg
The Very Fine Frog
By Tim Beiser
Illustrated by Rachel Berman
Trade Paperback | 24 Pages | Ages 2-5
ISBN: 978-1-77049-276-9
Tim Beiser was born on April Fools’ Day in Los Angeles, California. After earning a degree in Economics at Rocky Mountain College in Montana, he moved to New York City where he spent sixteen years as a playwright and science fiction short-story writer. He was a writer-in-residence at the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation of New Mexico, and he founded the creative writing studio The Writer’s Workout in Manhattan. Like most New York artists, Tim has had many day jobs: a pastry chef, an architectural draftsman, a college teacher, a waiter, a nightclub performer, a computer repairman, and, lastly, an emergency medical technician for the Fire Department of New York, driving an ambulance. Tim received a B.A.A. in Journalism from Ryerson University and started a career as a freelance magazine writer. For his work in such publications as National Post Business, Toronto Life, Elm Street, Reader’s Digest, and Saturday Night, Tim has been nominated for four National Magazine Awards. Bradley McGogg, the Very Fine Frog is his first book for children. Tim Beiser is the proud dad of twins Rowan and Daniel, and he and his family split their time between Toronto, Canada and Grignan, France.

Capturing Joy
The Story of Maud Lewis
By Jo Ellen Bogart
Illustrated by Mark Lang
Trade Paperback | 32 Pages | Ages 8-12
ISBN: 978-1-77049-262-2
Jo Ellen Bogart is the author of many best-selling children’s books, including Big and Small, Room for All; Jeremiah Learns to Read; Daniel’s Dog; and Gifts. She has degrees in elementary education and psychology from the University of Texas, and she now writes full time. Jo Ellen has won the Ruth Schwartz Award and has been shortlisted for the Mr. Christie’s Book Award. Her first book for Tundra was a biography of Maud Lewis called Capturing Joy: The Story of Maud Lewis. Born in Houston, Texas, she now lives in a pet-filled home in Guelph, Ontario.

The Nightwood
By Robin Muller
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 5-8
ISBN: 978-1-77049-209-7
Robin Muller is an internationally acclaimed author and illustrator of children’s books. He received the Studio Magazine Award for Illustration (silver) for The Nightwood, the Governor General’s Award for The Magic Paintbrush, and the 1995 IODE Award for The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. He was a medalist for the Ezra Jack Keats Memorial Award. Robin Muller lives in Toronto.

Click here for photos from the festival’s first year!

Tuesdays with Tundra 11

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

Ones and Twos
By Marthe Jocelyn and Nell Jocelyn
Hardcover | Ages 2-5
ISBN 978-1-77049-220-2
“This delightful concept book brings visual literacy to the forefront, supported by a minimal text…. The simple descriptive verses … are spot-on to reinforce images of numeracy, sorting, paring, common-object recognition, and the daily lives of young children. Each page or spread is illustrated with creative, engaging collages on paper, textured fabrics, and items … extending the opportunity for learning and discussion…. The charming collages are the stars of the show and will inspire curiosity” – Starred Review, School Library Journal

Capturing Joy: The Story of Maud Lewis
By Jo Ellen Bogart
Illustrated by Mark Lang
Paperback | Ages 8-12
ISBN 978-1-77049-262-2
“More than an account of a fascinating life, Bogart’s introduction to this Canadian painter is a lesson in self-determination…. A lovely and inspiring book.” – School Library Journal

Picasso: Soul on Fire
By Rick Jacobson
Illustrated by Laura Fernandez and Rick Jacobson
Paperback | Ages 10+
ISBN 978-1-77049-263-9
“Jacobson is to be congratulated for taking a little-known figure to children and making him – and modern art – accessible. Though aimed at ages 10 and up, the book’s compelling story, beautiful illustration and reproduced paintings of Picasso will appeal to anyone who loves art.” – Today’s Parent

The Adventures of Cosmo the Dodo Bird
By Patrice Racine
Paperback | Ages 6-9
A Friendship Begins ISBN 978-1-77049-246-2
The Great Illusion ISBN 978-1-77049-248-6
In Search of the Jewel ISBN 978-1-77049-245-5
The Mysterious Substance ISBN 978-1-77049-247-9

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

The Adventures of Cosmo the Dodo Bird
By Patrice Racine
Paperback | Ages 8-11
The Quest for the Last Dodo Bird ISBN 978-1-77049-241-7
The Traveling Planet ISBN 978-1-77049-242-4
The Climate Masters ISBN 978-1-77049-243-1
The Chain Reaction ISBN 978-1-77049-244-8

In fast-paced text and eye-catching art, the Adventures of Cosmo the Dodo Bird encourages children to learn about their environment and the reason why it is important for them to protect it.

Sindbad: From the Tales of the Thousand and One Nights
Retold by Ludmila Zeman
Paperback | Ages 6+
ISBN 978-1-77049-264-6
“…Ludmila Zeman has retold and illustrated episodes from Arabian Nights, drawing the reader into the adventure as skillfully as Scheherazade enthralled King Shahriyat with her marvelous storytelling…Zeman’s meticulously researched illustrations recreate the elaborate carpet borders and richly detailed artwork of Persian miniature paintings.” – The Globe & Mail

Sindbad in the Land of Giants: From the Tales of the Thousand and One Nights
Retold by Ludmila Zeman
Paperback | Ages 6+
ISBN 9781770492660
“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…. [F]or those who like adventure stories with gorgeous artwork, this title is a sound addition to folklore collections.” – School Library Journal

Sindbad’s Secret: From the Tales of the Thousand and One Nights
Retold by Ludmila Zeman
Paperback | Ages 6+
ISBN 9781770492653
“Zeman…preserve[s] much of the exoticism and excitement of the original [Sindbad stories]. Glowing pencil and watercolor illustrations are done in the style of ancient Persian miniatures.” – The Washington Post

Pub Date Giveaway: Which book would you love to read? Leave us a comment below and one lucky reader will receive a copy of their requested book, courtesy of Tundra! One request per person and please review our rules. The Adventures of Cosmo the Dodo Bird will be given away as a set of four. Please specify if you want the picture book set or the chapter book set.  The Sindbad books will also be given away as a set of three. This giveaway ends at midnight on Thursday, May 12, 2011!

Eden Mills Writers’ Festival 2010

This year, the 22nd Eden Mills Writers’ Festival is being held on Sunday, September 19, 2010 from noon to 6:00pm. Where is Eden Mills you may ask? It is 15 minutes east of the city of Guelph and 5 minutes west of Rockwood. The festival is outdoors, so we would recommend bringing a lawn chair (fold-up ones work best) or blanket for seating, an umbrella (just in case!), a water bottle, and cash (there’s no bank machine) to buy books, souvenirs, and food. Parking is free!

Keep an eye out for our authors participating in the festival this year:


Young Adult Authors
Shane Peacock, author of The Secret Fiend: The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His 4th Case
Marthe Jocelyn, author of Folly


Children’s Writers
Jo Ellen Bogart, author of Big and Small, Room for All
Ann Love and Jane Drake, sisters and co-authors of Talking Tails: The Incredible Connection Between People and Their Pets

Click here for some photos from last year’s festival!

March is Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month! Learn about these amazing women:

The Matchless Six
The Story of Canada’s First Women’s Olympic Team
Written by Ron Hotchkiss
ISBN 978-0-88776-738-8
Paperback
200 Pages
Ages 11+

  • Chosen by Quill & Quire as one of the 2006 Best Children’s Books of the Year
  • Selected as one of the best books of 2006 by CANSCAIP

Silent in an Evil Time
The Brave War of Edith Cavell
Written by Jack Batten
ISBN 978-0-88776-737-1
Paperback
144 Pages
Ages 10+

  • Included in the 2008 Amelia Bloomer Project list for recommended reading

Laura Secord
A story of Courage
Written by Janet Lunn
Illustrated by Maxwell Newhouse
ISBN 978-0-88776-538-4
32 Pages
Ages 8+

  • Selected for the Children’s Literature Choice List 2002
  • Selected for the Our Choice 2002 List by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre

Heart and Soul
The Story of Florence Nightingale

Written by Gena K. Gorrell
ISBN 978-0-88776-703-6
Paperback
152 Pages
Ages 10+

  • Winner of the 2001 Norma Fleck Award
  • Nominated for the 2002 Torgi Literary Award

Emily Carr
At the Edge of the World

Written by Jo Ellen Bogart
Illustrated by Maxwell Newhouse
ISBN 978-0-88776-640-4
40 Pages
Ages 10+

  • Nominated for the 2006-2007 Red Cedar Book Awards
  • 2004 Honor Book by the Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award

Capturing Joy
The Story of Maud Lewis

Written by Jo Ellen Bogart
Illustrated by Mark Lang
ISBN 978-0-88776-568-1
32 Pages
Ages 8-12

  • Shortlisted for the 2004 Hackmatack Children’s Choice Award
  • Finalist for the 2003 Information Book Award – Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada

A Roundup of Ten Questions with…

Open Book Toronto logoOpen Book Toronto is a great literary resource about publishing, books, authors, illustrators, and events. The wonderful team at Open Book Toronto interviewed some of our Spring 2009 authors and illustrators. Many, many, many thanks to Clelia, Amy, and Shannon for their hard work! Click on the links below to read Open Book Toronto’s Ten Questions with:

Stay tuned for interviews from our Fall 2009 authors and illustrators!

Tundra Book Group