2014 Holiday Gift Guide: The Thinkers

Listed by age range:

Nancy KnowsNancy Knows
Written by Cybèle Young
Hardcover | 40 Pages | Ages 3-7
ISBN: 978-1-77049-482-4
Nancy knows she’s forgotten something. Something important. When she tries to remember, she thinks of all kinds of other things instead. She remembers things she knows and things she doesn’t quite know. She remembers things one way, then another. Sometimes she remembers with her ears or her stomach or even her heart. But Nancy knows she’s still forgetting something. It’s only when Nancy stops thinking altogether that she finally remembers the very important thing she’s forgotten. Nancy Knows is the charming story of an elephant who remember lots of things, except the very thing she is trying to remember.

Going Up - Elisha Otis Trip to the TopGoing Up!
Elisha Otis’s Trip to the Top

Written by Monica Kulling
Illustrated by David Parkins
Trade Paperback | 32 Pages | Ages 5-8
ISBN: 978-1-77049-516-6
In 1818, seven-year-old Elisha was fascinated by farm machinery. As a young man, he tried a variety of ways to make a living, but nothing fired his imagination more than the job he found in a bed-frame factory. Soon he invented a machine that made frames four times faster than ever before. In 1852, while overseeing the construction of a new factory, he had to find a way to move heavy machinery to the second floor. He didn’t trust the hoisting platform, so he invented a safety brake. It was so successful that rather than lift machine parts, Elisha decided to build “people-hoisting machines.” In 1857, Elisha Otis installed his first successful passenger elevator in a five-storey department store in New York City. Before Elisha’s invention, buildings were never higher than six stories. At last it was possible to build skyscrapers!

Spic-and-SpanSpic-and-Span!
Lillian Gilbreth’s Wonder Kitchen

Written by Monica Kulling
Illustrated by David Parkins
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 5-8
ISBN: 978-1-77049-380-3
Born into a life of privilege in 1878, Lillian Moller Gilbreth put her pampered life aside for one of adventure and challenge. She and her husband, Frank, became efficiency experts by studying the actions of factory workers. They ran their home efficiently, too. When Frank suddenly died, Lillian was left to her own devices to raise their eleven children. Eventually, she was hired by the Brooklyn Borough Gas Company to improve kitchen design, which was only the beginning. Lillian Gilbreth was the subject of two movies (Cheaper by the Dozen and Belles on Their Toes), the first woman elected to the National Academy of Engineering, and the first female psychologist to have a U.S. postage stamp issued in her honor. A leading efficiency expert, she was also an industrial engineer, a psycologist, an author, a professor, and an inventor.

Nine Words MaxNine Words Max
Written by Dan Bar-el
Illustrated by David Huyck
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 5-9
ISBN: 978-1-77049-562-3
Maximilian is a prince who loves to talk: No topic is too small, no story too boring. Max’s brothers are the opposite–the less said the better. When the king and queen go on a trip and leave the brothers alone, the three princes put a spell on Max that limits him to speaking only nine words at a time. The brothers are delighted: peace and quiet at last! But when a fearsome dignitary arrives, they realize the true value of their brother’s insatiable need for information.

Who Needs a DesertWho Needs a Desert?
A Desert Ecosystem

Written by Karen Patkau
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 7-10
ISBN: 978-1-77049-386-5
Although deserts are harsh, dry places, they teem with fascinating plants and wildlife. Author and illustrator Karen Patkau takes us on a magical journey through one of the earth’s most important ecosystems. In Who Needs a Desert? A Desert Ecosystem, we discover, in breathtaking art and lyrical text, the plants and animals that have adapted to its severe conditions – from grasses, cacti, shrubs, and trees to Gila monsters, roadrunners, scorpions, and kangaroo rats.

Who Needs a PrairieWho Needs a Prairie?
A Grassland Ecosystem

Written by Karen Patkau
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 7-10
ISBN: 978-1-77049-388-9
Prairies are wild and rugged grasslands, whose inhabitants depend on each other and their surroundings. Author and illustrator Karen Patkau takes us on a magical journey through one of the earth’s most important ecosystems. In Who Needs a Prairie? A Grassland Ecosystem, we discover, in breathtaking art and lyrical text, the plants and animals that thrive in its unique conditions – from buttercups, pincushion cacti, prairie crocuses, and sagebrush to burrowing owls, dung beetles, yellow-bellied racers, and voles.

Who Needs a ReefWho Needs a Reef?
A Coral Ecosystem

Written by Karen Patkau
Hardcover | 32 Pages | Ages 7-10
ISBN: 978-1-77049-390-2
Colorful coral reefs, astonishing in their beauty, bustle and teem with life. Author and illustrator Karen Patkau takes us on a magical journey through one of the earth’s most important ecosystems. In Who Needs a Reef ? A Coral Reef Ecosystem, we discover, in breathtaking art and lyrical text, the plants and animals that flourish in its tropical conditions – from coralline algae, phytoplankton, and sea grasses to hermit crabs, moon jellies, whale sharks, and porcupinefish.

Every BreathEvery Breath
Written by Ellie Marney
Hardcover | 352 Pages | Ages 14 and up
ISBN: 978-1-77049-772-6
eBook: 978-1-77049-774-0
Rachel Watts has just moved to Melbourne from the country, but the city is the last place she wants to be. James Mycroft is her neighbor, an intriguing and troubled seventeen-year-old genius with a passion for forensics. When Mycroft asks Watts to help investigate a murder, she knows it’s probably a very bad idea. But Mycroft’s hard to resist when he’s up close and personal-and before she knows it, Watts has joined him on the hunt for a cold-blooded killer. But what happens when this brilliant bad boy becomes murder suspect number one?

Nancy Dreams

2014 ALA Annual Conference

ALA 2014Tundra Books will be exhibiting at ALA Annual Conference this year! Please visit Tara and Sylvia at booth #245 to learn about our new and upcoming books – and to pick up bookmarks, teacher guides, posters, recipe cards, art cards, postcards, buttons, ARCs, and more!

We will have author and illustrator signings at our booth! With each author signing, we will be handing out complimentary copies of the title at a first come, first serve basis. So don’t forget! There’s a limited number of signed books to give away!

Saturday, June 28, 2014 at 10 AM – Eric Walters will be signing copies of My Name Is Blessing
My Name Is BlessingMy Name Is Blessing
Written by Eric Walters
Illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes
Hardcover | Ages 6-9 | 32 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-301-8
“This expressive picture book, based on a real family, lovingly tells a hard story with a twist. It’s difficult to broach poverty, disability and custody issues in so few pages without sounding maudlin, but Walters manages by speaking simply. . . . With dignity and quiet acceptance, this story illustrates that blessings, like family, can take unexpected forms.” – Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews

Saturday, June 28, 2014 at 2 PM – Dan Bar-el will be signing copies of Nine Words Max and chap books of Audrey (cow)
Nine Words MaxNine Words Max
Written by Dan Bar-el
Illustrated by David Huyck
Hardcover | Ages 5-9 | 32 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-562-3
“Vancouver author Dan Bar-el and Idaho illustrator David Huyck bring young readers aged five to nine a fun, but cautionary tale about today’s obsession with media, fascination with speaking in 140 characters or less and the importance of conversation.” – The Cambridge Times

audreyAudrey (cow)
Written by Dan Bar-el
Illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss
Hardcover | Ages 7-10 | 256 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-602-6
Audrey is a cow with poetry in her blood, who yearns for the greener pastures beyond Bittersweet Farms. But when Roy the horse tells this bovine dreamer that she is headed for Abbot’s War, the slaughter house, Audrey knows that she must leave her home and friends sooner than she ever imagined. With the help of a whole crew of animals and humans alike, Audrey attempts to escape the farm she lives on – and certain death. Cleverly written as an oral account, this unique illustrated tale of an animal on the run, told “to camera”, uses over thirty narrative voices, including six humans, four cows, three sheep, two sheep dogs, one pig and a very silly rooster. Full of heart and humor, Audrey (cow) is ultimately a very human story about life and death, friendship, and holding on to one’s dreams – based more or less on a true story.

Sunday, June 29, 2014 at 10 AM – Linda Bailey and Colin Jack will be signing copies of If You Happen to Have a Dinosaur
If You Happen to Have a DinosaurIf You Happen to Have a Dinosaur
Written by Linda Bailey
Illustrated by Colin Jack
Hardcover | Ages 3-7 | 40 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-568-5
“. . . a tongue-in-cheek user’s guide to prehistoric pets. . . . Colin Jack’s quirky illustrations have a retro-inspired design and are as cheery and bright as a Saturday morning cartoon. . . . The pages are packed with funny details that adults will enjoy as well. . . . Readers are not to despair if they don’t have a dinosaur of their own lying around. The open ending invites lots of animated and imaginative discussions about what to do with other odd and unusual pets like a dodo, a porcupine, or a sasquatch. This wacky, zany tale is a storytime crowd pleaser.” – Children’s Book Review

TundraALA2014We can’t wait to see you at the Grand Opening Reception on the exhibit floor! Viva Las Vegas!

Follow @TundraBooks@EricRWalters, @huyckd, and @colinjack8 on twitter. If visuals are more your thing, follow @TundraBooks, @tatjanamaiwyss, and @colinjack8 on instagram! You can also follow #alaac14 for the latest news and updates!

TCAF 2014

TCAF is The Toronto Comic Arts Festival. It is a week long celebration of comics and graphic novels and their creators, which culminates in a two-day exhibition and vendor fair featuring hundreds of comics creators from around the world. Other Festival events include readings, interviews, panels, workshops, gallery shows, art installations, and much more!

Saturday, May 10th, 2014 from 9am-5pm
Sunday, May 11th, 2014 from 11am-5pm
Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street, Toronto
Free admission! Follow TCAF on Twitter.

Presenting Viminy Crowe’s Comic Book
Viminy Crowes Comic BookWritten by Marthe Jocelyn and Richard Scrimger
Illustrated by Claudia Dávila
Hardcover | 336 Pages | Ages 9-12
ISBN 978-1-77049-479-4
Event date: Saturday, May 10, 2014
Event time: 11:45am to 12:30pm
Location: Beeton Auditorium, Toronto Reference Library.
Signing at Little Island Comics table to follow.

Some of our authors and illustrators will also have an exhibitor’s table!
Nine Words Max Alison Dare and the Heart of the Maiden Checkers and Dot Cyclist BikeList
Booth 171: David Huyck, illustrator of Nine Words Max
Booth B1: J. Torres, author of the Alison Dare and Checker and Dot series
Booth: 273-275: Ramón K. Pérez, illustrator of Cyclist BikeList

You’re Invited to the Launch of Nine Words Max

NineWordsMaxLaunchYou are invited to the launch of Nine Words Max. Please join illustrator, David Huyck, as he celebrates his newest book with the fantastic staff at Book People of Moscow!

When: Saturday, April 26, 2014
Time: 10:00 AM
Where: Book People of Moscow
Address: 521 S. Main, Moscow, Idaho 83843
Telephone: (208) 882-2669

David Huyck grew up outside the kingdom of Chicago where he watched gobs of puppet shows, but they were mostly on TV. He lived half a block from the candy store in one direction, and half a block from the playground in the other. Along with a limitless supply of Legos, cartoons and all genres of books, the resulting high-fructose queasiness is the point-source for everything he has made ever since. In addition to his award-winning illustrations, David is known as proprietor of the collaborative print project, Cloudy Collection, and he is a contributing editor for the popular Drawn! illustration and cartooning blog. The first book he illustrated is That One Spooky Night, also written by Dan Bar-el. He always keeps a pencil handy so he can capture hiding frogs and silly faces on paper. David lives with his family in Moscow, ID.

Praise for Nine Words Max:

“Wonderful concept, intelligent protagonist, lovely art – utterly adorable. Recommended!” – Kristina Radke of NetGalley

“Bar-el uses his skills as a storyteller, educator and children’s author to spin an entertaining, quirky tale that celebrates the use of language…. The cartoon-like illustrations are colorful, action-packed and crammed full of riotous detail.” – Highly Recommended, CM Magazine

“Huyck’s illustrations are entertaining, incredibly detailed…. The story is timeless, the characters are silly but loveable, and the intelligent, witty narrative is complemented further by the brilliant illustrations…. Dan Bar-el and David Huyck are a masterful storytelling duo. This book is a wonderful addition to any bookshelf.” – On Page 394

“. . . a very witty little book for children…. Wonderfully written & humorously illustrated children’s book. Loved it.” – Moon Shine Art Spot

Nine Words Max is one of the most hilarious books I’ve ever read.” – Ian Wood’s Novellum

Tundra Book Group