Tuesdays with Tundra 43

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

An Armadillo in ParisAn Armadillo in Paris
Written by Julie Kraulis
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 5-9
ISBN: 978-1-77049-526-5
eBook: 978-1-77049-527-2
A winsome armadillo from Brazil takes a trip to Paris in this delightful new picture book from Julie Kraulis. Arlo is an armadillo who is always up for adventure. His grandfather, Augustin, loved adventure too. When Arlo was born, Augustin wrote travel journals about his favorite places for Arlo to use when he was hold enough to go exploring on his own. When Arlo reads about Paris and the one the French call La Dame de Fer, or Iron Lady, he decides it’s time to strike out on his first adventure. He travels to France and, guided by Augustin’s journal, discovers the joys of Paris: eating a flakey croissant at a café, visiting the Louvre, walking along the Seine and, of course, meeting the Iron Lady… But who is she? Each spread has a clue about her identity, and kids will see hints of her scattered throughout the book. This book is like a gorgeous stroll through Paris with an adorable new friend–a stroll you’ll want to take again and again.

The Boston BreakoutThe Boston Breakout
Written by Roy MacGregor
Trade Paperback | 176 Pages | Ages 9-12
ISBN: 978-1-77049-421-3
eBook: 978-1-77049-426-8
The Screech Owls are in historic Boston to play in the Paul Revere Hockey Tournament. Boston is where the American Revolution began and where Benjamin Franklin was born. Franklin, a Founding Father of the United States of America, was maybe the smartest American ever. And when Nish discovers that Franklin was just ten years old when he dropped out of school, the Screech Owls’ big defender decides he has found a new hero.
For Travis and the other Screech Owls, the highlight of all the places to see in Boston is the New England Aquarium, home to seals and turtles and penguins. Its huge glass tanks are filled with the most wonderful collection of sharks, stingrays, and other sea creatures. Samantha Bennett, especially, is amazed, but when she meets an animal-rights campaigner who is keen to convert Sam to her cause, Sam falls under the strange woman’s spell and becomes a new recruit in a very dangerous organization.

Edie's EnsemblesEdie’s Ensembles
Written by Ashley Spires
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 4-8
ISBN: 978-1-77049-490-9
eBook: 978-1-77049-491-6
“A budding fashion maven learns the hard way what defines personal style. Taking the metaphor of a fashion animal rather literally, Spires here concocts the tale of zany rodentlike Edie and her bird best friend, Andrew….The more attention Edie’s ensembles earn, the more driven she becomes to outdo herself, much to the detriment of her friendship with Andrew and-quite unbeknownst to Edie-her reputation…. A heartwarming tale of self-discovery and friendship.” – Kirkus Reviews

Every BreathEvery Breath
Written by Ellie Marney
Hardcover | 352 Pages | Ages 14+
ISBN: 978-1-77049-772-6
eBook: 978-1-77049-774-0
“…fans of the genre will appreciate the many twists and turns that come before the final show-stopping reveal … the Melbourne setting is vividly conveyed, including a realistically diverse cast of teen and adults. Strength of family and friends is a strong underlying theme, and the romantic tension between Rachel and Mycroft sizzles on the page. Inventive and unusual, this will appeal to readers with a taste for darker stories.” – Booklist

The Last Song_PaperbackThe Last Song
Written by Eva Wiseman
Now in Trade Paperback
240 Pages | Ages 10+
ISBN: 978-1-77049-517-3
eBook: 978-0-88776-980-1
“With spies and informers on all sides, the story builds to a gripping climax … readers will easily be caught by the young girl’s personal heartbreak and conflict and will want to find out more.” – Booklist

M Is for Maple LeafsM Is for Maple Leafs
An Official Toronto Maple Leafs Alphabet Book

Written by Michael Ulmer
Illustrated by Melanie Rose
Hardcover | 32 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-798-6
For nearly a century, the Toronto Maple Leafs have stood as one of the most popular hockey franchises in the NHL. With M Is for Maple Leafs, children across North America will discover the alphabet while being introduced to interesting Leaf history. From people (such as Mats Sundin and Johnny Bower) to hockey terminology (line change and face-off) and places and things (dressing room, Air Canada Centre, puck), the world of hockey is depicted in this fun and lively picture book. Featuring rhyming text from author Mike Ulmer and striking illustrations from Melanie Rose, this book captures the spirit of “Canada’s game.”

Peter Puck and the Runaway ZamboniPeter Puck and the Runaway Zamboni Machine
Written by Brian Mcfarlane
Illustrated by Geri Storey
Hardcover | 64 Pages | Ages 6-9
ISBN: 978-1-77049-583-8
In Peter Puck and the Runaway Zamboni Machine, Peter’s good friend, Tony the Zamboni, longs for adventure. When Tony disappears, Peter and referee George Phair head out to find him. Tony loves being out in the big wide world, especially when he enters a race at the speedway. Peter arrives just in time to hop on and drive, but a run-in with two nasty drivers threatens to put them on the sidelines. Can Peter and Tony stay in the race? And will the runaway Zamboni return to the arena and prepare the ice for the big game?

Puckster's Hockey Game Against the MascotsPuckster Plays the Hockey Mascots
Written by Lorna Schultz Nicholson
Illustrated by Kelly Findley
Trade Paperback | 24 Pages | Ages 3-7
ISBN: 978-1-77049-760-3
In Puckster Plays the Hockey Mascots, Puckster and his pals realize the dream of being on the ice with their hockey heroes – the Toronto Maple Leafs mascot Carlton the bear and the Montreal Canadiens mascot Youppi. These legendary NHL mascots inspired Puckster to play hockey and cheer for Hockey Canada and now here he was playing in a real game with these hockey greats. But when his drive to win and desire to impress others gets in the way, Puckster realizes that he has let his team down and forgotten the true spirit of teamwork. Puckster Plays the Hockey Mascots is yet another exciting hockey adventure for young fans. With the exciting addition of two legendary characters and the important message of teamwork, this classic tale offers all fans of the game a lesson in friendship.

Puckster's Christmas Hockey TournamentPuckster’s Christmas Hockey Tournament
Written by Lorna Schultz Nicholson
Illustrated by Kelly Findley
Trade Paperback | 24 Pages | Ages 3-7
ISBN: 978-1-77049-758-0
In Puckster’s Christmas Hockey Tournament, it is Christmas Eve and Puckster is nervously watching the heavy snowfall gather on the ground and in the trees. It is his first Christmas away from home and though he is excited to be with Team Canada at the World Junior Hockey Tournament, he is afraid that the winter storm will prevent his family and friends from travelling to the remote arena and arrive in time for Christmas morning.

Pub Date Giveaway: In the comments below, please tell us which new October 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, October 20, 2014!

UPDATE: Congratulations to Julie, winner of An Armadillo in Paris by Julie Kraulis.

Canadian Booksellers Association Libris Awards 2014 Longlist

Whimsy Heavy ThingsCanadian Booksellers Association (CBA) and Retail Council of Canada (RCC) have announced the 2014 CBA Libris Awards longlist. Voted on by members of the Canadian book industry, the CBA Libris Awards honours talented authors whose works were embraced by book-buyers, and the dedicated professionals who ensured those authors’ books connected meaningfully with readers.

Tundra would like to congratulate Julie Kraulis, Whimsy’s Heavy Things has been nominated for the Children’s Picture book of the Year!

The longlist will be voted on by book industry members, with a shortlist being released in April. The winners will be announced at the Libris Awards Gala taking place on June 2, 2014 as part of Retail Council Canada’s annual STORE Conference.

Congratulations to the other nominated authors and illustrators:

  • The Dark by Lemony Snicket, Illustrated by Jon Klassen
  • Warning: Do Not Open This Book! by Adam Lehrhaupt, Illustrated by Matthew Forsyth
  • Not Your Typical Dragon by Dan Bar-el, Illustrated by Tim Bowers
  • The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, Illustrated by Barbara Reid
  • Lasso the Wind by George Elliott Clarke, illustrated by Susan Tooke
  • Binky: License to Scratch by Ashley Spires
  • This Little Hamster by Kass Reich

Launch of: Whimsy’s Heavy Things

What a lovely launch for Whimsy’s Heavy Things! The event was held on Wednesday, October 3 at Modern Baby with Mabel’s Fables on hand to sell books. A fantastic turnout of friends, families, and fans came to congratulate Julie Kraulis on her first picture book publication. Here are some photos from the reception:

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Modern Baby is all spruced up and ready to welcome guests!

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Who’s already exhausted from all the fun? Snack break!

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Julie Kraulis’s original art on display.

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Each piece is a spread from Whimsy’s Heavy Things.

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Making the way to the back, everyone is in line to have their book(s) signed.

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No snack break for Julie Kraulis, the line to meet her doesn’t end!

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Gorgeous prints of the art from the book are available for sale.

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Editor Samantha Swenson saying a few words about working with Julie Kraulis on Whimsy’s Heavy Things.

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All smiles for Julie Kraulis! Congratulations on creating such a beautiful first book!

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By audience request, Julie Kraulis gave an impromptu reading of Whimsy’s Heavy Things.

Thank you to those who came out on the splendid Wednesday evening and many thanks to the team at Modern Baby and Mabel’s Fables.

Tuesdays with Tundra 33

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

Whimsy Heavy ThingsWhimsy’s Heavy Things
Written by Julie Kraulis
Illustrated by Julie Kraulis
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 4-6
ISBN: 978-1-77049-403-9
“[Whimsy’s] … solutions are ingenious, and the ending surprises with a mature little twist that is reassuring as well as realistic. Every page is sweetly rendered by author and illustrator Julie Kraulis’s oil and graphite artwork, which evokes a softer, gentler version of Tim Burton’s style.” – Quill & Quire

Making ContactMaking Contact!
Marconi Goes Wireless

Written by Monica Kulling
Illustrated by Richard Rudnicki
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 5-8
ISBN: 978-1-77049-378-0
The fifth book in Tundra’s Great Idea Series, Making Contact! tells the story of Guglielmo Marconi, who became the father of wireless communication. As a boy, Marconi loved science and invention. At the age of twenty, Marconi realized that no one had invented a wireless telegraph. Determined to find a way to use radio waves to send wireless messages, Marconi found his calling. And, thanks to his persistence, on December 12, 1901, for the first time ever, a wireless signal traveled between two continents. The rest is history!

Escape from BerlinEscape from Berlin
Written by Irene N.Watts
Trade Paperback | 432 Pages | Ages 8-12
ISBN: 978-1-77049-611-8
eBook: 978-1-77049-612-5
Life for Jewish families in 1938 Berlin is increasingly difficult. Neighborhood shops and synagogues are looted and burned, homes are invaded by the Gestapo, Jewish children are expelled from school, their fathers and brothers imprisoned without cause. With even darker times on the horizon, parents are searching for an escape route for their children. On the morning of December 1st, 1938, eleven-year-old Marianne Kohn and seven-year-old Sophie Mandel meet on a train, the first Kindertransport that will take children to safety in England. But what will happen when they arrive? Who will be their guardians? Will they be able to learn the customs and language of their new country? Will they ever see their parents again? The Kindertransport saved almost ten thousand children before the outbreak of World War II. The three critically acclaimed, award-winning novels in Escape from BerlinGood-bye Marianne, Remember Me, and Finding Sophie-poignantly chronicle what happens to Marianne and Sophie as they grow up away from home. December 1, 2013, marks the 75th Anniversary of the first Kindertransport.

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, October 1, 2013!

UPDATE: Congratulations to Susan who will be getting a copy of Whimsy’s Heavy Things.

You’re Invited to the Launch of Whimsy’s Heavy Things

WhimsysHeavyThingsLaunch

You are invited to the launch of Whimsy’s Heavy Things. Please join debut author and illustrator, Julie Kraulis, as she celebrates her first picture book publication!

Whimsy Heavy ThingsWhen: Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Time: 6 pm to 8 pm
Where: Modern Baby
Address: 208 Christie Street, Toronto, ON M6G 3B8
Telephone: 416-536-9977
RSVP: RSVPCanada@randomhouse.com

In addition, the original artwork from Whimsy’s Heavy Things will be on display. Book and prints will be availble for purchase.

Praise for Whimsy’s Heavy Things:

“Every page is sweetly rendered by author and illustrator Julie Kraulis’s oil and graphite artwork, which evokes a softer, gentler version of Tim Burton’s style. The text is easy to follow for early readers, and parents will enjoy how naturally the story flows.” – Quill & Quire

Tundra Book Group