Tuesdays with Tundra 23

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

Becoming Holmes
The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His Final Case

Written by Shane Peacock
Hardcover | 264 Pages
Ages 10-14
ISBN: 978-1-77049-232-5
“And so the end comes to the beginning of the story of the world’s most beloved detective in Shane Peacock’s Becoming Holmes, the last of his boyhood Holmes mysteries. I have thoroughly enjoyed the world of Victorian England from this first person, close up and tangible version of Holmes. The series has courageously woven together famous people, popular myths and the street-level views of London. The mysteries, themselves, contain the illusive clues so reminiscent of Doyle’s work. In this last installment and, dare I say, his final bow, Peacock sets the scene for the man Sherlock Holmes. The story is ripe with premonitions…. Readers who have been captivated by “The Boy Sherlock Holmes” series will find this a satisfactory and hang-on-to-your-seat read. It was sad to know this is the final installment.” – Highly Recommended, CM Magazine

The Bridge
Written by Jane Higgins
Hardcover | 352 Pages
Ages 12+
ISBN: 978-1-77049-437-4
“…the gritty, painfully tense passages describing the ways in which war affects children – teens in particular – are compelling and deftly written.” – The Horn Book
“This grim first novel, set on a not-so-distant future Earth … packs a significant emotional wallop…. Higgins works hard to expose the religious and racial bigotry lurking behind so many military conflicts, and she is adept at showing that, frequently, neither side is without blame.” – Publishers Weekly

Going Up!
Elisha Otis’s Trip to the Top

Written by Monica Kulling
Illustrated by David Parkins
Hardcover | 32 Pages
Ages 5-8
ISBN: 978-1-77049-240-0
“… In his realistic, fine-lined illustrations, Parkins both enhances the sense of period and supplies the only hints of how Otis’ invention actually worked. He captures the narrative’s broad, high-energy tone in images of the inventor with eyes bulging, mouth wide open and arms flung out wildly during various Eureka! moments….” – Kirkus Reviews

The Hunting of the Snark
An Agony in Eight Fits

Written by Lewis Carroll
Illustrated by Oleg Lipchenko
Hardcover | 48 Pages
All Ages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-407-7
One of the most well-known creations by world-famous master of nonsense, Lewis Carroll, The Hunting of the Snark is a poem whose meaning has proved as elusive as the mysterious titular monster itself. Even Carroll confessed to not knowing who the Snark is or what the poem is about. But one thing about this much-scrutinized work of literature is perfectly clear: this is a tale of high adventure and great wit sure to delight readers of all ages.

Miss Mousie’s Blind Date
Written by Tim Beiser
Illustrated by Rachel Berman
Hardcover | 24 Pages
Ages 3-6
ISBN: 978-1-77049-251-6
“Spring fever strikes even the rodents. And who knows where the heart leads? … Beiser’s sprightly text has warmth, heart, and a valuable lesson. Berman’s pictures, in watercolor and gouache on rag, suggest Beatrix Potter, ably matching the crisp elegance of the story. Wonderful.” – Starred Review from Kirkus Reviews

Rescuing the Children
The Story of the Kindertransport
Written by Deborah Hodge
Hardcover | 64 Pages
Ages 10+
ISBN: 978-1-77049-256-1
“Fitting neatly into primary-classroom units about World War II and the Holocaust, … Hodge’s account … sketches in Germany’s history from Hitler’s rise to Kristallnacht, noting the reluctance of other national governments to take German refugees, particularly Jewish ones…. Then-and-now portraits of her eight survivors, with a mix of period photos and paintings by Kind artist Hans Jackson, provide plenty of visual witness to those dangerous times and the children caught in them. A quick but systematic overview, well-endowed with both visual and documentary supporting material….” – Kirkus Reviews

Pub Date Giveaway: In the comments below, 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 15, 2012!

Update: Congratulations to Connie who has won a copy of The Bridge by Jane Higgins.

A roundup of features with…

Open Book Toronto logoIf you haven’t visited Open Book: Toronto yet, we recommend that you do! They have a great team working on bringing you the latest books news. Last season, they featured some of our Fall 2010 authors and illustrators. Many thanks to Clelia, Amy, Erin, and Nadika for their hard work.

Please click on the links below to read Open Book: Toronto’s features with:

You can take a look at previous interviews here and here. Keep an eye out for interviews from our Spring 2011 authors and illustrators on Open Book: Toronto!

Launch of: Humpty Dumpty and Friends

Last night, we celebrated the launch of Oleg Lipchenko’s Humpty Dumpty and Friends at Nicholas Hoare Books in Toronto.

The event also included a presentation of the 2009 Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Award to Oleg Lipchenko for his illustrations in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The annual IBBY Canada Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Award, honours outstanding artistic talent in Canadian picture books.

IBBY Canada president, Patricia Ocampo presented Oleg Lipchenko with the award.

This is what the jury had to say:
“Oleg Lipchenko has turned this classic story into a rich experience for readers greeting Alice for the first time, as well as for those who know the original…Lipchenko’s illustrations are more than images on a page; they are an homage to the surreal quality and humor of Lewis Carroll’s text.”

Oleg Lipchenko signing copies of his books and posters.

Throughout the evening, guests were invited to look through Oleg Lipchenko’s portfolio containing the original artworks for the books.

Many thanks to everyone at Nicholas Hoare Books, IBBY Canada, to the family, and friends who came out to show their support for Oleg Lipchenko!

Tuesdays with Tundra 4

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

Curtain Up!
A Book for Young Performers

By Dirk McLean
Illustrated by France Brassard
ISBN 978-0-88776-899-6
US $17.95 / CAN $19.99
Ages 6-8
“…the illustrator gives Amaya… distinctive features and an appropriately big personality….” – Kirkus Reviews

Dear Toni
By Cyndi Sand-Eveland
ISBN 978-1-77049-249-3
US $9.95 / CAN $11.99
Ages 8-11
Now in paperback!
“Gene dreads the 100-day journal-writing assignment her teacher has given the class. Mr. Mackenzie wants to lock the journals in the town’s museum vault for 40 years for future sixth graders to read. Gene has trouble writing to someone who isn’t even born yet, but little by little, Dear Nobody becomes Dear Somebody, who evolves into Dear Toni.” – Best Books for Kids & Tweens 2009, Junior Fiction, The Canadian Children’s Book Centre

Gunner
Hurrican Horse
By Judy Andrekson
ISBN 978-0-88776-905-4
US $7.95 / CAN $8.99
Ages 8-11
PBJ Decks Smokin Gun (Gunner) is an American Paint Horse, one of the many of Heather Lott Goodwin’s herd, and a valuable show animal that won the World Championship Paint Horse title. When Hurricane Katrina passed over the Goodwin property, it took with it the fences, the cattle, and several horses. Heather and her family lived in their horse trailer for six weeks and considered themselves lucky to have safe, comfortable shelter. After the storm, they searched for the animals and recovered many of them. But three months passed before they located Gunner, a hundred miles away. Gunner’s story is a testament to love and to determination.

Hudson
By Janice Weaver
Illustrated by David Craig
ISBN 978-0-88776-814-9
US $22.95 / CAN $24.99
Ages 8-12
“Failure is not usually at the heart of an exciting adventure story, but this dramatic picture-book biography about Henry Hudson … makes the explorer’s lack of success a gripping read…. Craig’s glowing period portraits, landscapes, and watercolors of the ship in dangerous seas intensify the drama….” – Starred Review, Booklist

Humpty Dumpty and Friends
Nursery Rhymes for the Young at Heart
Illustrated by Oleg Lipchenko
ISBN 978-1-77049-205-9
US $17.95 / CAN $19.99
Ages 3-6
“The highly detailed and surreal nature of Lipchenko’s illustrations will keep readers poring over the pages.” – Publishers Weekly

Splinters
By Kevin Sylvester
ISBN 978-0-88776-944-3
US $17.95 / CAN $19.99
Ages 6-8
“Whether you are adding to your Cinderella story collection or looking for a story with a strong female role-model, snap this one up. Author, illustrator, and sports broadcaster Kevin Sylvester has created a winner…. Sylvester’s playful watercolour and pencil illustrations are full of action and emotion, adding just the right amount of detail to support the story line for young readers…. All of the archetypes are cleverly illustrated in this version of Cinderella on ice. Splinters may become a Canadian classic. Highly Recommended.” – CM Magazine

Pub Date Giveaway: Which book would you love to get your hands on? Leave us a comment below and one lucky reader will receive a copy of their requested book, courtesy of Tundra! One request per person please. This offer ends on Wednesday, September 15th, 2010!

Calling all Alice fans!

Tim Burton’s adaptation of Alice in Wonderland hits theatres this week! Johnny Depp plays the Mad Hatter, Mia Wasikowska as the beautiful Alice, and Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen. But, before you watch the movie, check out our award-winning version of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland!

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Written by Lewis Carroll
Illustrated by Oleg Lipchenko
ISBN 978-0-88776-932-0
Hardcover
104 Pages

Whether it’s to add to a collection of classics or to introduce new readers to Alice, this handsome large-format edition is a must-have for all ages. Lewis Carroll’s original text is illustrated as never before by Oleg Lipchenko to create a spectacular gift book. Sure to transport everyone down the rabbit hole and into the extraordinary realm of Carroll’s imagination, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, invites all readers to join the tea party and take their chances with the Mad Hatter, the Mock Turtle, and the boisterous Queen of Hearts.

Awards and Honours:

  • Winner of the 2009 Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Award
  • Listed in Resource Links’ “The Year’s Best – 2009″

Praise:

“Elegant book design and sophisticated artwork…. remarkable and innovative….” – School Library Journal

“…Lipchenko leaves his mark on Wonderland with a unique but satisfying vision. I forgot all about blonde girls in blue dresses while paging through this one, and for that alone, the illustrator has my undying gratitude. Old-school in the best sense of the word, Tundra clearly knows a master when they see one…” – Bookslut

“…Lipchenko’s illustrations have lots to go on. They’re sinuous, crowded and oppressive in just the way Alice feels Wonderland…. Here’s the happy result of research, contemplation and evident enjoyment….” – The Toronto Star

“Curiouser and curiouser, yes? And surreal and gloriously bizarre in about seven different directions.” – Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast