Kids say the darndest things! So we asked our creators to tell us their favorite questions they’ve been asked by young readers.
Cale Atkinson Author of Simon and Chester “I can’t say I remember as many funny questions as kids wanting me to draw certain things. The two that stand out to me are: ‘Can you draw Kermit the Frog mixed with a chicken nugget’ – to which I obliged and on another occasion, ‘Will you draw a buff baby Yoda’ – to which I also obliged.”
Lana Button Author of My Grammie’s House “‘Are you famous?’ I have been asked that more than once when I’ve presented at schools. And my response is that, for now, I am my own ‘roady’ – which means that I pack up all my equipment and lug it from school to school. So, as long as I’m my own roady, I am not famous (yet!) But I do feel rich! Because I love writing books for kids and visiting them at schools. My favorite questions that I get from young audiences are, ‘I lost my tooth last night.’ ‘I have a dog.’ And ‘Today is my birthday.’ I love it when kids share a little bit about themselves during the question-and-answer period. It is a great way to connect with my audience and I appreciate that they are sharing with me what is important in their life. (Besides, they have just listened to me talk for a long time about myself, it’s only fair that they also get a turn!)”
Lauren Soloy Author of Tove and the Island with No Address “No funny questions really spring to mind, but kids often say things that make me laugh! There’s always at least one kid at a school visit that is a little fuzzy on what a “question” is – so I’ve definitely gotten the ‘I have a dog named Vincent at home!’ type of statements, which tends to lead to a lot of other hands in the air. Teachers will then do an explanation for what a question is (causing most of the hands to drop) but I love those statements. That kid just really wanted to connect!”
Chuck Groenink Author of Boy Here, Boy There “I guess my favorite question I’ve gotten was at a school visit when I had shown a picture of my studio where my cat happened to be sitting on my desk. After fielding a good deal of questions about that cat ‘what’s its name! How old is she’, etc., one kid stuck her hand up to ask me, ‘Do you know my cat’s name?’ That tickled me immensely, but was also such a good reminder that for little kids these visits are in some ways as much about sharing their stories as it is for you to share yours.”
Polly Horvath Author of Library Girl “The funniest question I got was also the most charming. An eight-year-old boy came up to me as the kids were filing in and sitting down on the floor and said, ‘They told us you was going to be smart but why didn’t they tell us you was going to be soooo good looking?’ I burst into laughter and his eyes sparkled because he knew we both knew what a charmer he was and that he had managed to relax me and make me feel welcome. It was a variation on something that often happened at the poorest schools I have gone to – some child would come up to me terribly concerned that I might be feeling uncomfortable or homesick and would try to make me welcome before my talk. This is what has touched me the most on tours, those concerned little hearts.”
Rachel Poliquin Author of I Am Wind “I’m not sure about a favorite, but I definitely have a most memorable. I was asked what animal I’d like to be. Easy – a least weasel. But on this particular occasion, I had just met one in the woods. Least weasels are very small and very fierce, and this one had danced backwards and forwards on its hind legs, waving its arms at me. I wasn’t sure if it wanted to bite me or marry me. So, I told the story and did the weasel dance for the kids. I heard a boy say, ‘That was weird.'”
The Fan Brothers Author of Barnaby Unboxed! “A question that we’ve received a few times from kids is, ‘How much money do you make?’ The first time a student asked us that, I was completely thrown off, and had no idea how to answer it. My instinct was to respond with a heartwarming platitude like ‘money doesn’t matter when you’re doing something creative,’ but then I realized that wasn’t quite honest. Artists have to pay the bills too. I reflected back upon my own decision to go to art college, and the anxiety that that decision brought. All my life I had grown up with the cliché of the starving artist, and was told many times over the years that art was something you did as a hobby, but not as a career. I even had an art teacher once who told me that a career in art would most likely be boring and thankless work laying out ad copy. ‘Don’t think you’ll be drawing magical worlds and monsters all day.’ Even though, on the face of it, the question seems a bit ruthless, I think it reflects some of that same anxiety. Maybe the student was asking because they were also drawn towards the arts, but harbouring those same fears. Maybe they were looking for reassurance that it was possible to be successful as an artist. Or maybe they were just curious. Children are nothing if not completely honest, and it’s a question I might have asked myself when I was a kid. If I’m ever asked it again, I think I could provide a more thoughtful answer than the stammering response I gave.”
Rukhsana Khan Author of Honk Honk, Beep Beep, Putter Putt! “I do many school visits [and] sometimes things can get weird. I was at a school in Barrie and a kid asked if I was a man or a woman. (I’m a woman.) And just the other day a kid asked, ‘Who’s your favorite storyteller?’ And I couldn’t think of anyone else so I said, ‘Me!’ LOL (Actually I do like the way I tell stories!) But sometimes I get a really great question! One time after a presentation where I’d related some of the racism and bullying I’d gone through a student asked, ‘If you could go back and change anything about your growing up, what would it be?’ Nobody had ever asked me that before. I thought for a moment. I realized that I was who I was because of ALL the things I’d gone through, including the negative stuff. And because I knew how it felt to receive such abuse, I had vowed I’d never inflict it on anyone else. I looked the student in the eye and answered, ‘Actually I wouldn’t change a thing. Everything I went through was necessary.'”
Tuesdays with Tundra is an ongoing series featuring our new releases. These titles are now available in stores and online!
Barnaby Unboxed! By The Fan Brothers 80 Pages | Ages 5-9 | Hardcover ISBN 9781774882436 | Tundra Books Meet Barnaby: he’s half mouse and half elephant, with just a dash of flamingo . . . and fully trained! When he’s brought home to be pampered and cared for by his very own little girl, life is perfect . . . until a new, even more perfect pet comes on the scene. Suddenly Barnaby is no longer the most perfect pet around, and his little girl doesn’t seem interested in him anymore. Feeling unappreciated, Barnaby runs away and finds himself swept up on a wild journey through the city and an emotional search for home in a tale of love found, lost and found again. In a poignant follow-up to their award-winning, internationally bestselling picture book The Barnabus Project, The Fan Brothers and their brother Devin Fan have once again crafted a heartfelt and sweetly sensitive story full of adventure, friendship and family that will enchant readers of all ages.
My Grammie’s House Written by Lana Button Illustrated by Skye Ali 40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9781774880784 | Tundra Books A precocious and delightful tour guide walks some potential buyers through Grammie’s old house, showing them all the great things about it: a shaggy rug for shuffling, a shady closet that makes a great clubhouse, the perfect spot for eating cookies – even a climbing tree. And with each new detail eagerly pointed out, we get to see hints of what the house was like when Grammie was still there and experience the love that lived in every nook and cranny. This charming and tender story celebrates the connections we make between people and the spaces they inhabit, and the memories that can live on even when new connections are being made.
Rebel Fire By Ann Sei Lin 352 Pages | Ages 12+ | Hardcover ISBN 9781774884010 | Tundra Books Kurara has barely escaped the grasp of Princess Tsukimi. Reeling from her Crafter mentor’s grim betrayal, Kurara and her friends are desperate to catch up with their old airship, even if it means they have to do it on foot. But after everything she’s been through, Kurara refuses to give up on understanding and freeing the shikigami, origami creatures enchanted to life, nor will she stop at anything to understand her mysterious past, no matter who tries to interfere . . . or what dark truths about her role in the war may surface, the farther south she goes. Her goal is the Grand Stream, where Suzaku, the greatest shikigami of all, likes in furious wait. But Kurara isn’t the only one searching for Suzaku. Traveling through forests, seas and the ruins of an underground Crafter city, there is no shortage of enemies who wish to control Kurara and the shikigami of the world for their own ends. When a bloody confrontation leads to horrifying revelations about the true nature of shikigami and Kurara’s past, Kurara will need all the support she can muster just to carry on.
Rebel Fire is also available today in audiobook!
Tig By Heather Smith 160 Pages | Ages 10+ | Hardcover ISBN 9780735267497 | Tundra Books After months of living without electricity or parents, Tig and Peter are forced to move in with their Uncle Scott and his partner, Manny. The transition from down-and-out to picture-perfect isn’t easy, especially in pristine Wensleydale with the idyllic couple and their beautiful home. Tig, with Peter’s support, decides to make their new life messy, starting with daily arguments and her plans to become a competitive cheese racer. She’ll run circles around her new guardians, outrun a wheel of cheese, and leave the past buried in her dust. But things don’t always go as planned, and Tig must decide what to truly leave behind in order to move forward.
Towed by Toad By Jashar Awan 48 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9781774883488 | Tundra Books Toad and his tow truck are always on the move to lend a hand to anyone who needs help. Whether it’s a flat tire or engine trouble, it’s Toad to the rescue! Pop does his best to try to get Toad to slow down and take care of himself, but there always seems to be someone else who needs to be towed by Toad. How can he say no? Toad is so used to being the problem solver that when his tow truck breaks down, he does everything he can to fix it himself – and can’t! What happens when the helper needs help? Playful, funny and refreshingly sweet, Towed by Toad is a peppy read-aloud full of fascinating vehicles and endearing characters.
New in Paperback:
Anne Dares Written by Kallie George Illustrated by Abigail Halpin 68 Pages | Ages 6-9 | Paperback ISBN 9780735272125 | Tundra Books 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?
Rebel Skies By Ann Sei Lin 360 Pages | Ages 12+ | Paperback ISBN 9781774884003 | Tundra Books Kurara has never known any other life than being a servant onboard the Midori, a flying ship serving the military elite of the Mikoshiman Empire, a vast realm of floating cities. Kurara also has a secret – she can make folded paper figures come to life with a flick of her finger. But when the Midori is attacked and Kurara’s secret turns out to be a power treasured across the empire, a gut-wrenching escape leads her to the gruff Himura, who takes her under his wing. Under Himura’s tutelage, and with the grudging support and friendship of his crew, Kurara learns to hunt shikigami – wild paper spirits sought after by the Princess of Mikoshima. But what does the princess really want with the shikigami? Are they merely enchanted figures without will or thought, or are they beings with souls and minds of their own? As fractures begin to appear both across the empire and within Kurara’s understanding of herself, Kurara will have to decide who she can trust. Her fate, and the fate of her friends – and even the world – may rest on her choice. And time is running out.
The Grave Thief By Dee Hahn 344 Pages | Ages 9-12 | Paperback ISBN 9780735269422 | Tundra Books Twelve-year-old Spade is a grave thief. With his father and brother, he digs up the recently deceased to steal jewels, the main form of trade in Wyndhail. Digging graves works for Spade – alone in the graveyard at night, no one notices his limp or calls him names. He’s headed for a lifetime of theft when his father comes up with the audacious plan to rob a grave in the Wyndhail castle cemetery. Spade and his brother get caught in a royal trap, and Spade must find the master of the Woegon: a deadly creature that is stalking the castle by night. Along the way, he meets Ember, the queen’s niece, and together they race to solve the mystery of the legendary Deepstones and their connection to the Woegon, the queen, a missing king and the mysterious pebble Spade finds in the Wyndhail cemetery. This is a fantastic story of friendship, bravery, grief and acceptance.
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.
Mother’s Day is right around the corner and what better way to celebrate the moms (and mom-like figures!) in your life than with a book?
Baby Squeaks By Anne Hunter 40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735269095 | Tundra Books Baby mouse has learned to squeak. And now it’s squeak, squeak, squeak all day long. Baby chats with new friends and old friends, big friends and little friends, and sometimes just chats with no one at all. Poor Mama needs a break . . . but when Baby wanders off, Mama knows what to do: follow the squeaks! Little readers will love this chatty baby mouse, and big readers will find Mama’s reactions very familiar . . . Anne Hunter’s delicate and lovely illustrations highlight the humor in this delightfully funny tale.
Bluey: Mum School By Penguin Young Readers Licenses 32 Pages | Ages 3-5 | Paperback ISBN 9780593658413 | Penguin Young Readers Licenses Bluey wants to play Mum School instead of taking her bath. But when Bluey’s balloon kids go out of control, Bluey doesn’t know what to do! Will Bluey figure out what they need before bathtime?
Granny and Bean By Karen Hesse Illustrated by Charlotte Voake 32 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover ISBN 9781536214048 | Candlewick Their laughter rose; full of joy, it spilled ‘cross sand, through mist, as the curlews trilled. Gray skies, foamy waves, and brisk wind await Granny and Bean when they head out for their day by the sea. But they are full of only wonder and delight at all the shore has to offer. They listen for the shrieks of the seabirds as they discover treasures hidden in the sand, greet dogs as they pass, leap over logs, and settle out of the wind for a cozy treat before tramping homeward again. Rendered in simple, lilting text by Newbery Medalist Karen Hesse and expressive, windswept art from acclaimed illustrator Charlotte Voake, Granny and Bean have an adventure to cherish until their next magical day at the shore.
Great Job, Mom! By Holman Wang 32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Paperback ISBN 9781774880364 | Tundra Books Being a mom is eleven jobs in one! This unique picture book for very young readers celebrates the many jobs being a parent encompasses: A general who rallies the troops (or unruly kids), a curator of modern art (or finger paintings), an archeologist looking for buried treasures (or socks) . . . when Mom gets home from her day job as a carpenter, she never knows which job will be waiting for her, but she knows it’ll be fun! Each rhyming spread features intimate, familiar, comforting and humorous depictions of family life through a wholly original – and amazing! – needle-felted lens.
I Love Grandma with The Very Hungry Caterpillar By Eric Carle 32 Pages | Ages 2-5 | Hardcover ISBN 9780593523155 | World of Eric Carle Join The Very Hungry Caterpillar as he honors grandmas everywhere! With cheerful illustrations and sweet sentiments, this heartfelt keepsake will show Grandma just how much you care.
I’ll Go and Come Back By Rajani LaRocca Illustrated by Sara Palacios 40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9781536207170 | Candlewick When Jyoti visits her grandmother halfway around the world, she is overwhelmed by the differences between India and home. At first she feels lonely and out of place, but soon, despite a language barrier, she and Sita Pati are able to understand each other. They form a bond-looking at books together, making designs with colored sand, shopping at the market, playing games, eating chapatis, and sipping warm milk with saffron to bring sweet dreams. When it’s time to part, Jyoti doesn’t want to leave, but then she remembers that in Tamil, people don’t say goodbye, they say “I’ll go and come back.” Sure enough, the two reunite the next summer when Pati visits Jyoti in America, and it’s Jyoti’s turn to make her grandmother feel welcome. Can they create some special memories that will last until the next time they see each other?
Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle By Nina LaCour Illustrated by Kaylani Juanita 32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9781536211511 | Candlewick For one little girl, there’s no place she’d rather be than sitting between Mama and Mommy. So when Mommy goes away on a work trip, it’s tricky to find a good place at the table. As the days go by, Mama brings her to the library, they watch movies, and all of them talk on the phone, but she still misses Mommy as deep as the ocean and as high as an astronaut up in the stars. As they pass by a beautiful garden, the girl gets an idea . . . but when Mommy finally comes home, it takes a minute to shake off the empty feeling she felt all week before leaning in for a kiss. Michael L. Printz Award winner Nina LaCour thoughtfully renders a familiar, touching story of a child who misses a parent, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita, whose distinctive style brings charm and playfulness to this delightful family of three.
Maud and Grand-Maud By Sara O’Leary Illustrated by Kenard Pak 40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9781101918692 | Tundra Books Maud loves the weekends that she stays over at her grandma’s house. There’s always breakfast-for-supper, matching nightgown, black-and-white movies and best of all — having someone to listen to her dreams for when she grows up. But what makes the visit extra-special is what Grand-Maud has hidden in an old chest under her bed. Sometimes there are paint sets, toys, homemade cookies, handknit mittens or sweaters. But Maud finds a wonderful surprise when she finds a belonging from Grand-Maud’s childhood. When she grows up, Maud wants to be just like Grand-Maud. Maud and Grand-Maud is a sweet celebration of the unique bond between grandparents and grandchildren.
Mommy’s Hometown By Hope Lim Illustrated by Jaime Kim 32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9781536213324 | Candlewick This gentle, contemplative picture book about family origins invites us to ponder the meaning of home. A young boy loves listening to his mother describe the place where she grew up, a world of tall mountains and friends splashing together in the river. Mommy’s stories have let the boy visit her homeland in his thoughts and dreams, and now he’s old enough to travel with her to see it for himself. But when mother and son arrive, the town is not as he imagined. Skyscrapers block the mountains, and crowds hurry past. The boy feels like an outsider-until they visit the river where his mother used to play, and he sees that the spirit and happiness of those days remain. Sensitively pitched to a child’s-eye view, this vivid story honors the immigrant experience and the timeless bond between parent and child, past and present.
Mum, Me, and the Mulberry Tree By Tanya Rosie Illustrated by Chuck Groenink 32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9781536220353 | Candlewick As the sun starts to rise, a young girl and her mother set out on the bus, riding knee to knee to visit their mulberry tree in the English countryside. With buckets and tubs in hand for collecting berries, the two spend a day picnicking, waiting out a summer shower under their tree, and climbing as high as they can to pick the best mulberries, the ones that are tucked away from the world. When the sun starts to set, they head home to bake a delicious pie, all the while knowing they’ll be back next year to do it all again. Author Tanya Rosie makes her picture book debut with a heartfelt story honoring family traditions and time spent together with someone you love.
My Baba’s Garden By Jordan Scott Illustrated by Sydney Smith 40 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover ISBN 9780823450831 | Neal Porter Books A young boy spends his mornings with his beloved Baba, his grandmother. She doesn’t speak much English, but they connect through gestures, gardening, eating, and walking to school together. Marked by memories of wartime scarcity, Baba cherishes food, and the boy learns to do the same. Eventually, Baba needs to move in with the boy and his parents, and he has the chance to care for her as she’s always cared for him. nspired by memories from poet Jordan Scott’s childhood, with beautiful, dreamlike illustrations by award-winning illustrator Sydney Smith, My Baba’s Garden is a deeply personal story that evokes universal emotions. Like Scott and Smith’s previous collaboration I Talk Like a River, winner of the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, My Baba’s Garden lends wistful appreciation to cherished time with family.
Nana, Nenek & Nina By Liza Ferneyhough 32 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover ISBN 9780593353943 | Dial Books Nina lives in San Francisco with her parents, and she loves visiting her two grandmas across the world. Follow Nina as her two trips unfold side by side: Young readers will love poring over the details of what is the same and what is different at Nana’s home in England and at Nenek’s home in Malaysia. In each place, Nina wears different clothes, plays different games, and eats different food. But so much about visiting Nana and Nenek is the same, from warm hugs at the airport to beach days and bedtime snuggles. Nina is equally at home across the world in Malaysia or England, and both of her grandmas love her to California and back.
Something About Grandma By Tania de Regil 40 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover ISBN 9781536201949 | Candlewick At Grandma’s house, where Julia is staying without her parents for the first time, the breeze is sweet like jasmine. Mornings begin with sugared bread, and the most magnificent hot chocolate cures all homesickness. There’s something about this place . . . and about Grandma. Like how she can tell when Julia has been quietly picking limes from the garden. Or that she can see the future – and knows when Julia is about to fall off her bike. Or how she can journey back in time through the stories she tells. In the room where Julia’s mother grew up, her grandmother holds her in a warm embrace – an embrace that Julia will pass on to her family when her parents arrive with her new baby brother. With Tania de Regil’s heartfelt illustrations, incorporating poems by her great-grandfather that were handwritten by her grandmother, Something About Grandma offers a tender and playful exploration of the magic of intergenerational love and wisdom.
The Blur By Minh Lê Illustrated by Dan Santat 40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9780593377468 | Knopf BFYR From the very beginning, there was something different about this child… An ultrasonic voice. Fantastically elastic limbs. Super-magnetic powers. But it wasn’t until the child took her first steps that she became: THE BLUR! Nothing can stand in her way as she takes the world by storm: always on the move and darting into danger! All too soon, she is zipping through the days, and zooming over the years… Framed as an origin story, here is a fun superhero romp for kids, filled with bold and bright illustrations, that will pull at the heartstrings of every parent.
The Care and Keeping of Grandmas By Jennifer Mook-Sang Illustrated by Yong Ling Kang 32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735271340 | Tundra Books It can be discombobulating for all involved when a grandma moves in permanently. Fortunately, our narrator has gone through it and has LOTS of tips on how to make your grandma feel at home. In a story filled with humor, confusion and moments of sweetness, Jennifer Mook-Sang introduces us to a delightful family dynamic and a grandma who doesn’t really need the help settling in but appreciates it anyway. As Grandma goes about her days, her well-meaning granddaughter sees her caring for her plants, and makes sure that Grandma is getting the proper care too.
Together With You By Patricia Toht Illustrated by Jarvis 32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9781536223514 | Candlewick For one grandmother and grandchild, keeping dry in spring showers is easy when dashing through the drops side by side. In summer they stay cool with a squirt of the hose, then savor frozen treats in the shade. In autumn, snug in sweaters, they fly a kite while leaning into each other against the wind. And winter finds them nestling under blankets, sipping cocoa and watching the snow quietly fall. Narrated as a kind of love letter from a young child to a grandparent, this picture book pairs Patricia Toht’s safe, tender text with gentle art from Jarvis that meets it at every turn. An ideal gift from grandparent to grandchild (or the other way around), this charming story makes it clear that “no matter the weather, whatever we do, every day’s better together with you.”
Tough Like Mum By Lana Button Illustrated by Carmen Mok 32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735265981 | Tundra Books Kim’s mum is tough. Everyone says so. She can deal with unruly customers at the Red Rooster with a snap of her fingers. Kim is tough, too. She doesn’t need to wear a hat to keep her ears warm. And she can make soup all by herself, even without the stove. Kim and her mum are tough. But Kim is learning that sometimes toughness doesn’t look like what you’d expect. In this tender exploration of a mother-daughter relationship, Kim and her mother learn that in order to support and truly take care of each other, they need to be tough — and that sometimes being tough means showing vulnerability and asking for help.
When I Talk to God, I Talk About You By Chrissy Metz and Bradley Collins Illustrated by Lisa Fields 32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9780593525241 | Flamingo Books When I talk to God, guess what I do? It’s really quite simple: I talk about you. From bears and otters to rabbits and raccoons, these animals describe the many things they pray to God for as their little ones grow right before their eyes. With stunning illustrations from Lisa Fields, this is a touching ode to unconditional love and the perfect book to help introduce little ones to prayer.
You Are My Favorite Color By Gillian Sze Illustrated by Nina Mata 32 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover ISBN 9780593203101 | Philomel Books So begins a mother’s celebration of her children’s brown skin, told through warm and vivid poetry. With sweeping descriptions of what brown skin means-it is the brawny bear whose paws know the ground of its home, the sequoia tree that reaches up and touches the sun, the glossy shell of roasted chestnuts-this is a book that empowers as it embraces, and that reminds young readers that they have shades of color that only they can discover and express. With beautiful, lyrical text by powerhouse poet Gillian Sze and vibrant, engaging art by illustrator Nina Mata, the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of LeBron James’s I Promise, this is more than a story of love-it is a song that rings out for brown kids everywhere.
Preorder:
Mama’s Sleeping Scarf By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie writing as Nwa Grace-James Illustrated by Joelle Avelino 32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9781774882696 | Puffin Canada Chino loves the scarf that her mama ties around her hair at night. But when Mama leaves for the day, what happens to her scarf? Chino takes it on endless adventures! Peeking through the colorful haze of the silky scarf, Chino and her toy bunny can look at her whole family as they go through their routines. With stunning illustrations from Joelle Avelino, Mama’s Sleeping Scarf is a celebration of family, and a touching story about the everyday objects that remind us of the ones we love.
Here at Tundra Book Group we have many books to help conversations around mental health for young readers. As January is self-love month, we have created a list of beautiful children’s books anyone can find themselves in, and to help celebrate who you are!
Celebrate yourself
My Lala By Thomas King Illustrated by Charlene Chua 40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735269347 | Tundra Books Lala wakes up one morning and decides that she owns the world. Quick as a fox, she bounds to her box of treasures and finds her shiny red dots – to mark what is hers, because there’s nothing that’s not! Lala’s bear gets a dot, as does her blankie, boots, and even the markers she uses to make scrawls on her walls. When she finishes labeling everything in her room and goes to label her dad-daddy’s socks, Lala realizes that she’s out of dots! But when Lala discovers that she can simply create her own red dots, will anything be safe from Lala? Join rambunctious Lala on her quest to own the world in this joyful picture book that celebrates confidence and positive thinking.
My Self, Your Self By Esmé Shapiro 48 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9781774880234 | Tundra Books From the way you button your coat to the way you tap your toes, from the top of your head to your adorable tummy, there are so many reasons to love your self, and so many reasons to be loved. Join a group of endearing forest creatures as they bake and eat cranberry-butter-pie muffins, sing silly songs at bath time and stop to smell the chestnut-nettle roses, all the while exploring their individuality. This joyously affirming picture book from the inimitable Esmé Shapiro encourages the youngest readers to get to know and love and be kind to their wonderful selves and the equally wonderful selves around them.
Listen to your voice
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 Echo By Al Rodin 32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9781774880623 | Tundra Books Have you ever heard an Echo? They live in lakes and tunnels and caves. But have you ever seen an Echo? Little Echo lives alone in a cave. Shy, she hides away, echoing the noises around her. But Little Echo isn’t just shy – she’s lonely. And when Max comes to the cave one day, in search of treasure, Little Echo starts to discover that maybe she has a voice of her own.
It’s okay to ask for help
The Pink Umbrella By Amélie Callot Illustrated by Geneviève Godbout 80 Pages | Ages 6-9 | Hardcover ISBN 9781101919231 | Tundra Books When it’s bright outside, Adele is the heart of her community, greeting everyone who comes into her café with arms wide open. But when it rains, she can’t help but stay at home inside, under the covers. Because Adele takes such good care of her friends and customers, one of them decides to take care of her too, and piece by piece leaves her little gifts that help her find the joy in a gray, rainy day. Along with cute-as-a-button illustrations, The Pink Umbrella celebrates thoughtful acts of friendship.
Tough Like Mum By Lana Button Illustrated by Carmen Mok 32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735265981 | Tundra Books Kim’s mum is tough. Everyone says so. She can deal with unruly customers at the Red Rooster with a snap of her fingers. Kim is tough, too. She doesn’t need to wear a hat to keep her ears warm. And she can make soup all by herself, even without the stove. Kim and her mum are tough. But Kim is learning that sometimes toughness doesn’t look like what you’d expect. In this tender exploration of a mother-daughter relationship, Kim and her mother learn that in order to support and truly take care of each other, they need to be tough – and that sometimes being tough means showing vulnerability and asking for help.
It’s okay to feel down
The Invisible Bear By Cecile Metzger 40 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735266872 | Tundra Books A bear sits in his quiet, colorless home in a forgotten place. He feels invisible; no one comes to see him, and he spends his days alone. Then someone moves in next door. Madame Odette is sound and sunshine, and at first, the bear isn’t sure about this colorful new neighbor. But through an act of kindness, the bear and the Madame Odette meet, and as time goes by, they become friends. And in the end, they are both forever changed by the gifts they bring each other. The first book from author-illustrator Cécile Metzger, The Invisible Bear is a powerful and beautiful meditation on the beauty of friendship and how two people can save each other just by being themselves.
What’s Up, Maloo? By Geneviève Godbout 40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735266643 | Tundra Books Maloo the kangaroo has lost his hop. Can his friends help him find it again? This sweet picture book explores the idea of sadness and the importance of friendship through ups and downs. No other kangeroo can hop like Maloo! But one day Maloo’s friends find him stepping instead of hopping. What’s wrong, Maloo? His pals look for ways to help Maloo regain the spring in his step. With patience, support and a little “hop” from his friends, Maloo gets his bounce back. Simple text and adorable art convey the power of friendship over a gloomy mood in Geneviève Godbout’s charming debut as both author and illustrator.
Coping with grief isn’t easy
A Garden of Creatures By Sheila Heti Illustrated by Esmé Shapiro 40 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735268814 | Tundra Books Two bunnies and a cat live happily together in a beautiful garden. But when the big bunny passes away, the little bunny is unsure how to fill the void she left behind. A strange dream prompts her to begin asking questions: Why do the creatures we love have to die, and where do we go when we die? How come life works this way? With the wisdom of the cat to guide her, the little bunny learns that missing someone is a way of keeping them close. And together they discover that the big bunny is a part of everything around them – the grass, the air, the leaves – for the world is a garden of creatures. With its meditative text, endearing illustrations and life-affirming message, A Garden of Creatures reveals how the interconnectedness of nature and the sweetness of friendship can be a warm embrace even in the darkest times.
Bug in a Vacuum By Mélanie Watt ISBN 9781770496453 | Hardcover Ages 5-9 | Tundra Books A bug flies through an open door where its entire life changes with the switch of a button. Sucked into the void of a vacuum bag, this one little bug moves through denial, bargaining, anger, despair and eventually acceptance – the five stages of grief – as it comes to terms with its fate.
Rodney Was a Tortoise By Nan Forler Illustrated by Yong Ling Kang 40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735266629 | Tundra Books Bernadette and Rodney are the best of friends. Rodney’s not so good at playing cards, but he’s great at staring contests. His favorite food is lettuce, though he eats it VERRRRRRY SLOOOOOWLY. And he’s such a joker! When Bernadette goes to sleep at night, Rodney is always there, watching over her from his tank. As the seasons pass, Rodney moves slower and slower, until one day he stops moving at all. Without Rodney, Bernadette feels all alone. She can’t stop thinking about him, but none of her friends seem to notice. Except for Amar. Rodney Was a Tortoise is a moving story about friendship and loss. It shows the importance of expressing kindness and empathy, especially in life’s most difficult moments.
The Crystal Kite award is given by the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators each year to recognize great books from the 70 SCBWI regions around the world. The award is chosen by other children’s book writers and illustrators, making them the only peer-given awards in publishing for young readers. We would like to congratulate Lana Button and Carmen Mok who won the Canadian division award for their picture book, Tough Like Mum!
Tough Like Mum
By Lana Button
Illustrated by Carmen Mok
32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover
ISBN 9780735265981 | Tundra Books
Kim’s mum is tough. Everyone says so. She can deal with unruly customers at the Red Rooster with a snap of her fingers. Kim is tough, too. She doesn’t need to wear a hat to keep her ears warm. And she can make soup all by herself, even without the stove. Kim and her mum are tough. But Kim is learning that sometimes toughness doesn’t look like what you’d expect. In this tender exploration of a mother-daughter relationship, Kim and her mother learn that in order to support and truly take care of each other, they need to be tough – and that sometimes being tough means showing vulnerability and asking for help.
