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

2010 Book of the Year Award Winners

ForeWord Reviews‘ Book of the Year Award winners were announced on June 25 at ALA in New Orleans. Congratulations to the following Tundra authors and illustrators:

Juvenile Fiction – Gold
Dear George Clooney, Please Marry My Mom
By Susin Nielsen
ISBN 978-0-88776-977-1
eBook 978-0-88776-978-8
240 Pages | Hardcover
“Nielsen (Word Nerd) has created a narrator as sassy and candid as this memorable novel’s title….Nielsen skillfully balances her story’s keen humor…with poignancy. Especially affecting are Violet’s struggles to accept her father’s new family….” – Starred Review, Publishers Weekly

Juvenile Nonfiction – Gold
Talking Tails: The Incredible Connection Between People and Their Pets
By Ann Love and Jane Drake
Illustrated by Bill Slavin
ISBN 978-0-88776-884-2
80 Pages | Hardcover
“…These factoids, fictional or otherwise, about the intersection of animal and human lives provide the structure upon which sisters Ann Love and Jane Drake build another of their interesting and informative books…. Written in what might be described as an infectiously friendly fashion … and plentifully illustrated with witty watercolours by the irrepressible Bill Slavin, Talking Tails will appeal to those who are contemplating have a pet in their lives….” – The Globe and Mail

Juvenile Nonfiction – Silver
Cyclist BikeList: The Book for Every Rider
By Laura Robinson
Illustrated by Ramón K. Pérez
ISBN 978-0-88776-784-5
64 Pages | Trade Paperback
“… The book is packed with information and fun facts, covers everything from the history of bicycles, to choosing a bike and fueling yourself up for long rides. The illustrations are lively and the writing informative and engaging, communicating a deep knowledge and passion for the sport….” – Momentum Magazine

Young Adult Nonfiction – Bronze
Yes You Can! Your Guide to Becoming an Activist
By Jane Drake and Ann Love
ISBN 978-0-88776-942-9
eBook 978-1-77049-235-6
144 Pages | Trade Paperback
“Young people who want to effect change are guided by a sequence of nine steps and inspirational examples of grassroots activism…. The style is conversational and the tone offers realistic encouragement to teens looking to solve problems. Teachers will approve of the focus on the importance of developing writing and speaking skills, being mindful of one’s online reputation, and learning how to evaluate project efforts. This title will primarily serve as a how-to, although the time lines, an accessible index, and factual information about anti-smoking campaigns, recycling, and children’s rights make it a useful historical perspective of activism.” – School Library Journal

Congratulations to our finalists too! You can also view the entire list of winners to see who won the other gold, silver, and bronze awards.

Check out our photos from ALA on our facebook page!

The Clean Air Commute

This year, the 2010 Clean Air Commute takes place during June 14-18. For that week, try biking, walking, telecommuting, taking public transit, driving a hybrid, carpooling, or even just giving your car a tune-up. Who knows? You might discover a more enjoyable way of commuting.

Yes You Can!
Your Guide to Becoming an Activist
Written by Jane Drake and Ann Love
Trade Paperback
Pub Date: October 2010
Ages 11+  |  176 pages
ISBN 978-0-88776-942-9

  • Did you know? Ann Love, is one of the founding members of Pollution Probe!
  • Did you know? One of Pollution Probe’s first big campaigns was directed at phosphate pollution.

I was in WWF today and noticed they have an interesting campaign add-on to the Clean Air Commute. WWF is encouraging people to pin a car-key on their shirts as a way of pointing out that their choice to cycle or walk is a deliberate alternative to driving. Either you or your parents could do that – choose a sturdy fabric and a strong safety pin to attach the key prominently to the front of your shirt or jacket. So, you do a good thing for the environment and you make the point so that others will think about walking or cycling too… – Ann Love

Cyclist BikeList
The Book for Every Rider

Written by Laura Robinson
Illustrated by Ramón K. Pérez
Trade Paperback
Ages 9+  |  64 pages
ISBN 978-0-88776-784-5

  • Issues concerning cyclists vs. bikers covered in Cyclist BikeList – Mike Marino, The Florida Times-Union/Jacksonville.com
  • Book hits just the right gear – Paul Jankowsky, Owen Sound Sun Times
  • The Bicycle Nut with Laura Robinson discussion Cyclist BikeList – Jerry, The Bicycle Nut

Bring the kids and spend an afternoon with author Laura Robinson and discover the joy of cycling. Laura will be launching Cyclist BikeList with Octopus Books on Sunday, June 6, 2010.

For more information on the Clean Air Commute or to register your workplace, please visit their website: www.cleanaircommute.ca

Tuesdays with Tundra 1

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

Me & Death: An Afterlife Adventure
By Richard Scrimger
ISBN 978-0-88776-796-8
Ages 11+

“…fast-paced tale of life and death… Scrimger packs a lot into this short, philosophical tale, which openly acknowledges its Dickensian inspiration. …an accessible story of redemption.” – Publishers Weekly

Mrs. Kaputnik’s Pool Hall and Matzo Ball Emporium
By Rona Arato
ISBN 978-0-88776-967-2
Ages 8-11

“…a culturally diverse story of hardships, anguish, success and happiness. …the story of Mrs. Kaputnik and her children will captivate the reader….” – Resource Links

No Moon
By Irene N. Watts
ISBN 978-0-88776-971-9
Ages 9+

“…Watts provides a fascinating account of what the great unsinkable ship was like. The catastrophe is rendered in a heartbreakingly graceful style, and Lou performs heroically in shepherding her two little girls to safety on a lifeboat in this uniquely engaging and satisfying coming-of-age historical adventure tale.” – Starred Review, Booklist

Talking Tails: The Incredible Connection between People and Their Pets
By Ann Love and Jane Drake
Illustrated by Bill Slavin
ISBN 978-0-88776-884-2
Ages 9-12

“…Love and Drake celebrate the affection that connects people with their pets…. this will draw animal lovers like a magnet.” – Booklist

Cyclist BikeList: The Book for Every Rider
By Laura Robinson
Illustrated by Ramón K. Pérez
ISBN 978-0-88776-784-5
Ages 9+

Bikes are becoming an ever-more vital part of daily life for people of all ages. Laura Robinson combines fascinating history with useful and fun information. The book features riding superstars like Lance Armstrong as well as the kids from the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation, whose mountain bike team is coached by Robinson.

Grand
By Marla Stewart Konrad
ISBN 978-0-88776-997-9
Ages 3-6

“…a book that children will enjoy sharing with their grandparents… an excellent book… a grand resource for Early child hood programs that include family themes.” – Highly Recommended, CM Magazine

I Like to Play
By Marla Stewart Konrad
ISBN 978-0-88776-998-6
Ages 3-6

“…The pictures are what draw the reader in. They are very vibrant and colourful…. Multicultural materials are very important to allow children to see how similar we are even if we look different….” – Highly Recommended, CM Magazine

Waiting On Wednesday 6

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. This event spotlights upcoming releases that we are anticipating.

In our case, we are eagerly waiting for the advance copies of next season’s titles to arrive!

This week’s pre-publication “can’t-wait-to-hold-and-read” selection is:

Cyclist BikeList: The Book for Every Rider
By Laura Robinson
Illustrated by Ramón K. Pérez
Publication Date: April 13, 2010

Bikes are becoming an ever-more vital part of daily life for people of all ages. Laura Robinson combines fascinating history (the first bike was propelled by the rider’s feet pushing against the ground) with useful and fun information, including tips for the way to dress for safe and efficient biking; what to eat for maximum body efficiency; and how to select and maintain a bike.

The book features riding superstars like Lance Armstrong as well as the kids from Chippewas of Nawash First Nations, whose mountain bike team is coached by Robinson.

Detailed diagrams and charts of different types of bikes, tire treads, and even road signs, along with bios of famous cyclists throughout history make this lively book the perfect resource for both dedicated riders and first-time cyclists.

What are you “waiting on?”

Want to participate? Grab the logo from Breaking the Spine, post your own WoW entry on your blog, and leave a link in the comments section on Jill’s blog!

Tundra Book Group