Tuesdays with Tundra is an ongoing series featuring our new releases. The following titles are now available in stores and online!
Great Too By Lauri Holomis and Glen Gretzky Illustrated by Kevin Sylvester 32 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735265615 | Puffin Canada This follow-up to the bestselling picture book, Great, focuses on building confidence and learning how to focus on the game, featuring hockey great Wayne Gretzky and his dad, Coach Wally. Taylor and Wayne, The Great One, have been working with Coach Wally on their Perfect Play: Taylor fakes a shot and Wayne gets open – pass; shoot; GOAL! And now that their team is going to the biggest tournament in the country, they’ll have a chance to show it off. But as the tournament goes on, Taylor is distracted by the loud cheering crowd, and his confidence starts to fade. Lucky for him, Coach Wally is in his corner, reminding Taylor that it’s okay to be nervous but the most important thing is to remember that he is part of a team, working together with his teammates. As Coach Wally says, if you have a good time, work hard and do your best, “that is all that matters.”
Mad About Meatloaf (A Weenie featuring Frank and Beans Book) By Maureen Fergus Illustrated by Alexandra Bye 56 Pages | Ages 6-9 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735267916 | Tundra Books Weenie loves his human, Bob. He loves his guinea pig friend Beans and his cat friend Frank. He loves naps, adventures and sharing. In fact, Weenie loves pretty much everything (except the mail carrier). But the thing Weenie loves and desires more than anything else in the world is meatloaf. And he’ll do anything to get it. Join Weenie, Frank and Beans on a laugh-out-loud meatloaf adventure, complete with a trench coat disguise, a wild meatloaf trap and even a hungry wolf.
Super Sleepover: Simon and Chester #2 By Cale Atkinson 88 Pages | Ages 6-9 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735267442 | Tundra Books Welcome to the world of Simon and Chester, ghost and boy duo extraordinaire. They like to kick butt and take names. They don’t like chores. They are best friends. And they are about to hit Chester’s VERY FIRST SLEEPOVER. (Oh, and eat some snacks probably.) Join Simon and Chester in their second adventure, and fall in love with this hilarious odd couple by fan favorite author and illustrator Cale Atkinson.
Tiny Reindeer By Chris Naylor-Ballesteros 32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735271180 | Tundra Books Santa and his reindeer are getting ready for Christmas, but Tiny Reindeer is too small to join in! Santa knows that a nudge in the right direction could change Tiny’s life forever. When Tiny discovers a letter from a bereft little girl who is wishing for a tiny reindeer to match her grandfather’s final gift, a hand-carved tiny sleigh, Tiny realizes that this might be his big chance. But will he have the courage to take a (literal) leap into the unknown? And what can Santa do to help? This picture book is a sweet, funny and heartfelt look at being different and feeling too small to matter, and reassures readers that even the smallest gift – whether it’s a tiny reindeer or a seemingly small opportunity to help – can bring lots of joy.
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.
Winter is coming so it’s time to break out your skates and hit the ice! From a beloved classic to a vampire-filled adventure, curling up with these books is the perfect way to unwind after an energetic game of hockey (even if you’re just a spectator!).
Bobby Orr and the Hand-me-down Skates By Kara Koostra and Bobby Orr Illustrated by Jennifer Phelan 40 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover ISBN 9780735265325 | Tundra Books Bobby eats, sleeps and breathes hockey. So, with his birthday is coming up, he only wants one thing: new skates. He’s seen the exact pair he wants in the shop window: sparkling blades, shiny leather, clean new laces tied in perfect bows. But when Bobby opens his gift, he’s dismayed to find hand-me-down skates: scuffed leather, nicked blades, floppy laces. Once Bobby breaks them in, though, he and the hand-me-down skates become inseparable, and he can’t imagine life without them . . . until the brand-new skates come into his life. How can he leave his hand-me-down skates behind? Log Driver’s Waltz illustrator Jennifer Phelan brings this classic story to life with timeless, gorgeous art, and Kara Kootsra’s words evoke the joy and dedication that Bobby Orr brought to his favorite sport.
Glory on Ice: A Vampire Hockey Story By Maureen Fergus Illustrated by Mark Fearing 40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover ISBN 9781524714512 | Knopf BFYR After centuries alone in his old castle, Vlad is ready to try something new. When he hears the local hockey team gushing about how they’ll crush and destroy their opponents in the next game, he knows he’s found the activity for him! Vlad immediately gives the game his all, but he soon realizes that super-human powers don’t mean much in hockey without a mastery of the basics. After weeks of practice, he’s finally ready for the big game . . . but can a hundreds-of-years-old vampire really learn new tricks? This hilarious, energetic picture book encourages teamwork, perseverance, and a love of hockey that will last a lifetime, even for an immortal being.
Great By Lauri Holomis and Glen Gretzky Illustrated by Kevin Sylvester Foreword by Wayne Gretzy 32 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Paperback ISBN 9780735265134 | Puffin Canada A story of teamwork with a positive message, featuring Wayne Gretzky and Coach Wally (Wayne’s dad, Walter Gretzky). Taylor is so excited when he makes the hockey team – and not just any team, but HIS team. The boy they are already calling The Great One. Taylor wants to be great too, but he’s still got a lot to learn. Lucky for him, Coach Wally is in his corner, guiding him through the ups and downs of being part of a hockey team, and being the best player he can be. As Coach Wally says, if you have a good time, work hard and do your best, “that is all that matters.”
Hockey Hero By Zachary Hyman Illustrated by Zachary Pullen 40 Pages | Ages 6-9 | Hardcover ISBN 9781770496309 | Tundra Books A heart-warming, intergenerational story about an awkward young boy who finds his hockey chutzpah at a PeeWee tournament. Tommy goes from timid observer to essential player – as we readers cheer him on! Illustrated by Zachary Pullen whose inimitable style blends perfectly with Zachary Hyman’s inspiring text.
Jay Versus the Saxophone of Doom By Kara Koostra Illustrated by Kim Smith Afterword by Bobby Orr 192 Pages | Ages 8-12 | Paperback ISBN 9780735268692 | Puffin Canada Jay Roberts loves hockey. He’s good at it. He also loves his hockey hero, Bobby Orr, considered a legend by Jay’s grandfather. In fact, even though they may bicker, when it comes to the Bruins, the whole family agrees that they are the team to root for. When it comes to hockey, Jay’s a team player. But there’s one person who seems determined to make life hard for Jay: his classmate and fellow team member, Mick Bartlet. It’s a good thing Jay can usually stickhandle his way out of his bullying. But something else is determined to make Jay’s life difficult, something far harder for Jay to play: the saxophone. Sixth grade just became a whole lot more challenging . . .
Splinters By Kevin Sylvester 40 Pages | Ages 6-9 | Hardcover ISBN 9780887769443 | Tundra Books Cindy Winters loves to play hockey. When her family’s basement apartment is flooded and the floor freezes, she’s even happy to skate on the concrete. Her parents are too poor to enroll her in a league, but she’s resourceful and does odd jobs until she has earned enough money to play. Armed with her mother’s old equipment, she is thrilled to join a team. But her happiness doesn’t last long. Among her teammates are the horrible Blister Sisters. They make her life miserable. And worse, Cindy’s sidelined by the coach, who just happens to be Mrs. Blister. It looks like she’ll be spending the season cleaning equipment, instead of playing on the ice. Cindy’s luck changes when her Fairy Goaltender appears and saves the day. With its great humor and hilarious illustrations, Kevin Sylvester’s Splinters is bound to become a favorite.
The Highest Number in the World By Roy MacGregor Illustrated by Geneviève Després 32 Pages | Ages 6-9 | Hardcover ISBN 9781770495753 | Tundra Books 9-year-old Gabe (Gabriella) Murray lives and breathes hockey. She’s the youngest player on her new team, she has a nifty move that her teammates call “the Gabe,” and she shares a lucky number with her hero, Hayley Wickenheiser: number 22. But when her coach hands out the team jerseys, Gabe is stuck with number 9. Crushed, Gabe wants to give up hockey altogether. How can she play without her lucky number? Gabe’s grandmother soon sets her straight, though – from her own connection to the number 9 in her hockey-playing days to all the greats she cheered for who wore it, she soon convinces Gabe that this new number might not be so bad after all. A lovely intergenerational tale and a history of the storied number 9 in hockey, The Highest Number in the World is a must-have for any hockey fan.
The Hockey Sweater By Roch Carrier Illustrated by Sheldon Cohen Translated by Sheila Fischman 24 Pages | Ages 0-3 | Board Book ISBN 9780735268685 | Tundra Books In the days of Roch’s childhood, winters in the village of Ste. Justine were long. Life centered around school, church, and the hockey rink, and every boy’s hero was Montreal Canadiens hockey legend Maurice Richard. Everyone wore Richard’s number 9. They laced their skates like Richard. They even wore their hair like Richard. When Roch outgrows his cherished Canadiens sweater, his mother writes away for a new one. Much to Roch’s horror, he is sent the blue and white sweater of the rival Toronto Maple Leafs, dreaded and hated foes to his beloved team. How can Roch face the other kids at the rink?
When the Moon Comes By Paul Harbridge Illustrated by Matt James 40 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover ISBN 9781101917770 | Tundra Books The beaver flood has finally frozen-perfect ice, without a bump or a ripple. For the kids in town, it’s Christmas in November. They wait, impatiently, for the right moment. Finally, it arrives: the full moon. They huff and puff through logging trails, farms, back roads and tamarack swamps, the powdery snow soaking pant legs and boots, till they see it – their perfect ice, waiting. And the game is on. When the Moon Comes is steeped in tradition and nostalgia: for hockey, for childhood, for a simpler time. The beauty of the text is matched by the brilliant, rich illustrations that wonderfully capture the magic of a moonlit night in winter.
Make sure to pick these up from your favourite bookstore and check out our website for even more suggestions!
‘Tis the season to be merry and bright, so please join Penguin Random House Canada Young Readers in celebrating those who draw and write. Here are the details of our festive night:
When: Monday, November 14, 2016 Time: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Where:Type Books Address: 883 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON
Authors and Illustrators attending:
Solutions for Cold Feet and Other Little Problems
Written and illustrated by Carey Sookocheff
Hardcover | 48 Pages | Ages 4-8
ISBN: 9781770498730
“Solutions for Cold Feet is a rich, engaging book. It will appeal to teachers, as the assignment is evident: students can name their own problems and propose solutions. With many easy entry points for discussion, it’s also excellent for one-on-one reading.” – Starred review, Quill & Quire
The Darkest Dark
Illustrated by Terry Fan and Eric Fan
Hardcover | 40 Pages | Ages 3-7
ISBN: 9781101918623
“The Darkest Dark soars as an inspiration for children trying to overcome a fear as well as dreamers wondering if they will triumph. Of course, the lesson here is ageless. The book is beautifully and thoughtfully illustrated by brothers Terry and Eric Fan….” – London Free Press
Hurry Up, Henry
Written by Jennifer Lanthier
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 3-7
ISBN: 9780670068371
“Author Lanthier’s quiet text sets a patient tone for this familiar situation that frustrates many young families. The repetition of clock motifs, fanciful flora and fauna, and changes in scale add a touch of magical realism that furthers the book’s emotional themes. This empathetic tale ends with a question all would do well to contemplate: ‘Can we do this again tomorrow?'” – Starred review, Kirkus Reviews
The Liszts
Written by Kyo Maclear
Hardcover | 40 Pages | Ages 5-9
ISBN: 9781770494961
“A family of list aficionados gets an unexpected guest in this offbeat tale…. Reminiscent of the best nonsense children’s books, Maclear’s wry tale oozes pure whimsy. The text revels in offbeat sincerity, wringing chuckles out of juxtapositions and amusing dialogue…. Simply enchanting in all its quirks.” – Kirkus Reviews
Great
Written by Lauri Holomis
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 4-8
ISBN: 9780670069903
“If you have a hankering for hockey, when the Gretzky family weighs in, sit up and listen. This is a sports story about attitude, which can rarely be emphasized enough, because it rarely sinks in deep enough to leave its lasting mark…. Fun and effort trump commercialization and competitiveness every time in sports, and this book tells a plain truth that Gretzky learned early.” – Kirkus Reviews
Yitzi and the Giant Menorah
Written and illustrated by Richard Ungar
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 5-9
ISBN: 9781770498129
“The text, written in a buoyant and playful manner, reflects a whimsical, folktale quality that reveals some of the actual traditions associated with the holiday of Chanukkah. The writing is vivid and engaging. This talented author is also the illustrator of the tale, and the bold, lively colours used add drama, texture and vibrancy to the story but also reflect a time and place long ago.” – Highly Recommended, CM Magazine
Once, in a Town Called Moth
Written by Trilby Kent
Hardcover | 224 Pages | Ages 12+
ISBN: 9781101918111
“Kent writes with refreshing emotional sophistication…. As literary as it is smart, Kent’s novel reflects life beautifully in its rigorous denial of pat, easy answers.” – Starred review, Quill & Quire
Great Too
Mad About Meatloaf (A Weenie featuring Frank and Beans Book)
Super Sleepover: Simon and Chester #2
Tiny Reindeer
Solutions for Cold Feet and Other Little Problems
The Darkest Dark
Hurry Up, Henry
The Liszts
Great
Yitzi and the Giant Menorah
Once, in a Town Called Moth