Tag: Nicola Winstanley

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Nicola Winstanley’s #TundraCats

stanley and luluWe’ve asked our #TundraCats authors and illustrators to tell us a little bit more about their favorite felines. Today, we’re meeting Nicola Winstanley’s adorable cat.

What is your cat’s name?
Stanley Winstanley.

How old is your cat?
Eight.

Which #TundraCats book is your cat’s favorite?
Am I allowed to choose my own? If not, Princess Puffybottom … and Darryl.

What is your cat’s greatest strengths?
Poking me in the face with his paw to get more pats. Tricking us into feeding him dinner three times in a row. Being fat.

What does friendship mean to your cat?
Letting the small thing lick his ears. (The small thing is our dog, Lulu.)

Complete this sentence: If my cat is staring out the window, it’s because . . .
He’s mad because it’s raining.

Be sure to check out Nicola Winstanley’s newest book:

how to give your cat a bathHow to Give Your Cat a Bath
in Five Easy Steps
By Nicola Winstanley
Illustrated by John Martz
ISBN 9780735263543 | Hardcover
Ages 3-7 | Tundra Books
Nicola Winstanley has always believed in the power of stories to bring comfort. She is the author of The Pirate’s Bed, A Bedtime Yarn and Cinnamon Baby, which won an honor prize for the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award and was shortlisted for the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award. Nicola lives in Hamilton, Ontario, with her family, one dog and one cat.

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Pawsitively Great Books

At Tundra Books we know that cats are a book lover’s best friend! This spring we are celebrating all things feline with our #TundraCats campaign, the purrfect list for cat-lovers of all ages!

how to give your cat a bathHow to Give Your Cat a Bath
in Five Easy Steps
By Nicola Winstanley
Illustrated by John Martz
ISBN 9780735263543 | Hardcover
Ages 3-7 | Tundra Books
“Five easy steps? Not a chance! For example, step one is attempted . . . six times. The engaging pictures leave much open space in the background and become a seek-and-find exercise when the cat ‘disappears’ time and again. This laugh-out-loud picture book can serve as a beginning reader since the text has repeated phrases and few words per page. The illustrations often have an interactive component; dialogue appears in speech bubbles, and characters leave a trail of dots behind them during a search-and-find. The inevitable ending will delight both children and adults and this title will be requested over and over.” – Starred Review, Booklist

miss minkMiss Mink
Life Lessons for a Cat Countess
By Janet Hill
ISBN 9781770499225 | Hardcover
Ages 4-8 | Tundra Books
“Miss Mink, human ‘cat countess,’ relates 20 lessons she has gleaned from her 67 cats. According to the introduction, Marcella Mink became a cat countess by welcoming those 67 cats into her mansion by the sea. . . . Hill’s whimsical self-help tome, a companion to her canine-focused Miss Moon (2016), would make a splendid gift for any feline fan. Her illustrations, oils on canvas, have a 1920s flair . . . and they tweak the life lessons and adages they accompany with a touch of feline humor. Pretty and positive (and posh).” – Kirkus Reviews

princess puffybottom and darrylPrincess Puffybottom . . . and Darryl
By Susin Nielsen
Illustrated by Olivia Chin Mueller
ISBN 9781101919255 | Hardcover
Ages 3-7 | Tundra Books
“Princess Puffybottom’s purrrrfect life is spoiled by a puppy named Darryl. Fluffy, black kitty Princess Puffybottom’s two female ‘subjects’ pamper her appropriately. . . . Princess Puffybottom indulges their whims, the petting and the play, until they surprise her with Darryl, a dog! . . . Yes, Darryl’s annoying, but Princess Puffybottom finds he has uses (such as liberating tasty morsels from the trash), and he does worship her, so life’s ‘good again.’ . . . Nielsen’s tale and Mueller’s digitally created pooch and puss pair perfectly, the princess acting as a nice stand-in for a pampered first child. The light touch of humor and twist at the end make this a must for storytime collections. Princess and Darryl need a sequel.” – Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews

megabat and fancy catMegabat and Fancy Cat
By Anna Humphrey
Illustrated by Kass Reich
9780735262591 | Hardcover
Ages 7-10 | Tundra Books
Megabat returns, this time with a new nemesis: a very fancy cat. Can our tiny bat hero stop his Daniel’s heart from being stolen by this nefarious, fluffy villain? Megabat was looking forward to Christmas morning: presents, playing toys, smooshfruit and watching Star Wars. But then Daniel opened his last, most special present. Daniel thinks this might be the best Christmas present yet: a beautiful cat named Priscilla! He’s always wanted a pet. Megabat is not sure he likes this cat. She tastes most hairy. Daniel loves his new cat! She’s fun to play with, and she’s so soft and fluffy. Megabat is not soft OR fluffy. What if Daniel loves Priscilla more than Megabat?

The Adventures of Miss Petitfours - paperbackThe Adventures of Miss Petitfour
By Anne Michaels
Illustrated by Emma Block
9780735263222 | Trade Paperback
Ages 6-9 | Tundra Books
“Meet Miss Petitfour-baker, adventurer, cat-lover, reader, stamp-collector, and storyteller-and her multitudinous cats in this episodic, begging-to-be-read-aloud illustrated chapter book. Its comedic irreverence and spirited play with words, names, and pirate lore will remind readers of Mary Poppins and Pippi Longstocking. Children will savor the whimsical language and conversational tone. . . . Highly recommended for story lovers of all shapes and sizes.” – Starred Review, School Library Journal

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Instagram Stories to Read Bedtime Stories to Kids

IG storiestimeInnovative new series uses Instagram to help parents engage kids in storytime by reading picture books on Instagram Stories.

Tundra Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House Canada, has teamed up with advertising agency Rethink Canada to develop and produce the reading series “StoriesTime” launching September 10th, 2018. The new initiative designed to encourage families to read together, shares celebrated children’s books on Instagram through a series of bedtime Instagram Stories.

New stories featured on @tundrabooks Instagram each Monday and Thursday showcase beautifully illustrated children’s books from a collection of best sellers and new favourites, including Almost a Full Moon, written by Juno Award-winning musician Hawksley Workman. The stories, shot against a cozy home-like setting, and charmingly read, are designed to create an enjoyable experience for the whole family.

IG storiestime titles

“Bedtime reading is a wonderful way for parents to bond with their children, and we are excited to introduce our books to families in this new Instagram approach,” said Vikki VanSickle Associate Director, Marketing & Publicity, Young Readers at Penguin Random House Canada, and also a children’s book author herself.

The idea was inspired by a desire to promote an important childhood ritual, bedtime reading. “Every child should get that experience of bedtime stories. Using Instagram Stories we can use technology to give every kid that chance.” said Mike Dubrick, Partner, Creative Director at Rethink Canada in Toronto. “We see this as a way to encourage greater participation in an essential part of childhood.”

Tundra Books will host two different stories on their Instagram (@tundrabooks) each week over a four week period, the first having debuted September 10th. Each Story will remain active for a 24 hour period.

For more information or for high-resolution photographs please contact Vikki VanSickle at 416.928.2419 or vvansickle@penguinrandomhouse.com.

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A Very Tundra Christmas

With Christmas fast approaching, some of you may be scrambling for last minute gifts. Have no fear, we’ve got something for everyone on your list – even if you don’t celebrate Christmas!

Tundra Book Group