Tag: Shane Peacock

Posted on

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.

Posted on

THIN AIR 2012


Each year in September, Winnipeg welcomes writers from Canada and around the world for a week of readings, lectures, interviews, conversations, book launches, and other events. That week of literary feasting is known as THIN AIR, the Winnipeg International Writers Festival. With programming for adults and children, in English and French, THIN AIR is an infusion of energy into the thriving literary culture of this city. This year’s festival dates are September 21 – 29! The following Tundra authors will be busy visiting young readers in the area, click on their names for a list of their events:

Shane Peacock
Shane Peacock is an award-winning novelist, biographer, journalist, screenwriter, and playwright. He has made his most dramatic impact on readers and critics with his wildly popular Boy Sherlock Holmes series, which mixes brilliant storytelling with fascinating historical detail about turn-of-the-century London. The long list of honours for the first five books include the Ruth & Sylvia Schwartz and Geoffrey Bilson Awards; all five are Premier Selections for the Junior Library Guild of America. Three titles have hit the Manitoba Young Readers Choice Award lists, including The Dragon Turn for 2012. The final installment in the series, Becoming Holmes, appears this fall. Peacock lives near Cobourg, ON.

Susin Nielsen
Gemini Award-winner Susin Nielsen is an acclaimed television writer, with sixteen episodes of Degrassi Junior High and an adaptation of Susan Juby’s Alice, I Think to her credit. She is also gifted at reaching the young adult audience with her fiction. Word Nerd and Dear George Clooney, Please Marry My Mom have generated an impressive list of awards and nominations. Both titles have won the Manitoba Young Readers Choice Award, and Nielsen will receive her honour this fall in Winnipeg. Her new title, The Reluctant Journal of Henry K Larsen, presents another resilient adolescent dealing with extraordinary challenges. Nielsen lives in Vancouver, BC.

Heather Hartt-Sussman
Heather Hartt-Sussman has had a lively career as a print and broadcast journalist and Hollywood columnist. She hit the book world with Nana’s Getting Married, which introduced young readers to a grandmother with attitude, and a grandson who struggles to deal with his jealousy of her new boyfriend. Nana and the boy deal with other competitions for attention in Here Comes Hortense!. Hartt-Sussman’s illustrator, Georgia Graham, captures the rollicking energy of the grandparents and the delicate sensibilities of the child. Hartt-Sussman was born in Montreal, lived and worked in LA for nearly fifteen years, and lives now in Toronto.

Georgia Graham
Georgia Graham has illustrated numerous children’s books, including the Wanda books by Barbara Azore, and her own The Lime Green Secret. One of her recent collaborations is with Heather Hartt-Sussman. Their first book, Nana’s Getting Married, introduced young readers to a somewhat possessive boy and his wonderfully unconventional grandmother. Nana is back, and the boy has to deal with Nana’s new husband’s granddaughter in Here Comes Hortense!. Graham’s vivid colours and expressive characters are a big part of the story. Graham grew up in Calgary and now lives on a tree farm in central Alberta.

And you’ll probably want to watch this, the THIN AIR volunteer coordinator has been taking the picture books home for her son to read and review. She’s managed to do a video for the each of the ones he’s read so far!
[youtube=http://youtu.be/pcLUHeg8f5g]
Go Carter!

Posted on

2012 Telling Tales: A Festival of Stories

This year, the 4th annual Telling Tales: A Family Festival of Stories is being held on Sunday, September 16, 2012 at the Westfield Heritage Village. Gates open at 9:30am and the festival ends around 4:00pm. Parents, grandparents, educators, aspiring writers and illustrators, established writers and illustrators, storytellers, musicians, literacy champions, history buffs, and lovers of stories will enjoy Telling Tales!

Location:
Westfield Heritage Village
Rockton, ON L0R 1X0

Free parking available only at the Rockton Fairgrounds with complimentary shuttle service to Westfiled Heritage Village.

Don’t forget to meet our authors at the festival this year:

Mr. Zinger’s Hat
Written by Cary Fagan
Where: One Room School House
When: 11:30-12:00 p.m.
Cary Fagan is the award-winning author of several young adult novels and picture books. This wonderful new story is about stories, and story-telling, and is sure to enchant and instruct children at home and at school for years to come.

Ones and Twos
Written and illustrated by Marthe Jocelyn
Where: One Room School House
When: 12:30-1:00 p.m and 2:00-2:30 p.m.
Marthe Jocelyn’s ability to present important-to-learn concepts to the very young has garnered accolades from around the world. Each brightly illustrated page invites children to identify familiar objects ranging from kites to socks, from one nest to the two birds sitting in it. Ones and Twos gives little toddlers and their caregivers much to discuss and to enjoy together, and it introduces an exciting new creative team.

Me & Death: An Afterlife Adventure
Written by Richard Scrimger
Where: Jerseyville Railway Station
When: 11:45-12:15 p.m.
Where: Bandstand
When: 1:15-1:45 p.m.
Fresh from having stolen a piece of fruit and taunting the grocer, Jim, a fourteen-year-old wannabe gangster, bully, and car thief, is run over by a car. What follows is a hilarious, bleak, and ultimately hopeful visit to the afterworld, courtesy of Richard Scrimger, one of the country’s finest writers.

Becoming Holmes: The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His Final Case
Written by Shane Peacock
Where: Jerseyville Railway Station
When: 12:30-1:00 p.m.
Where: Bandstand
When: 2:15-2:45 p.m.
Becoming Sherlock is the final book in Shane Peacock’s award-winning Boy Sherlock Holmes series, combining brilliant storytelling with fascinating historical detail, and a mystery worthy of one of the greatest sleuths in English literature.

There’s more information about the festival on the website and downloadable program. See you there!

Posted on

Tuesdays with Tundra 21

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

Mr. Zinger’s Hat
Written by Cary Fagan
Illustrated by Dušan Petričić
Hardcover | Ages 4-6 | 32 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-253-0
eBook: 978-1-77049-364-3
This is the story of a bored little boy, who meets a man, and together they build a story. This story within a story is charming and changes both their lives … and quite possibly the readers as well. This wonderful new story is about stories, and story-telling, and is sure to enchant and instruct children at home and at school for years to come.

My Healthy Body
Written by Liza Fromer and Francine Gerstein MD
Illustrated by Joe Weissmann
Hardcover | Ages 6-9 | 24 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-312-4
eBook: 978-1-77049-370-4
My Healthy Body is a fact-filled book about healthy habits – perfect for instilling the need to look after both mind and body in young children. Covering topics like sleep, exercise, nutrition, vaccines, eye care, social interaction, family, and hygiene this is the perfect go-to-title for general health care for 6 to 9 year old’s.

My Itchy Body
Written by Liza Fromer and Francine Gerstein MD
Illustrated by Joe Weissmann
Hardcover | Ages 6-9 | 24 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-311-7
eBook: 978-1-77049-369-8
My Itchy Body is a fact-filled book about everything that itches: the causes, the cures, the myths, and the reality. Medically accurate information is presented in fun and lively text, and illustrated with a comic touch. Includes fun facts and sidebars, and a glossary.

The Big Book of Vampires
Written by Denise Despeyroux
Illustrated by Fernando Falcone
Hardcover | Ages 9+ | 112 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-371-1
A fabulously creepy collection of vampire lore for blood-thirsty little people. A perfect Halloween collection! A bloody great collection of vampire stories from around the world, in a large, beautifully illustrated edition – a perfect keepsake.

The Secret Fiend
The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His Fourth Case
Written by Shane Peacock
Trade Paperback | Ages 10-14 | 272 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-385-8
The Secret Fiend is the fourth book in Shane Peacock’s award-winning Boy Sherlock Holmes series, combining brilliant storytelling with fascinating historical detail and a mystery worthy of one of the greatest sleuths in English literature.

Talking Tails
The Incredible Connection Between People and Their Pets
Written by Ann Love and Jane Drake
Illustrated by Bill Slavin
Trade Paperback | Ages 9-12 | 80 Pages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-359-9
Part social history, part “owner manual,” Ann Love and Jane Drake present irresistible and heartwarming stories of pets through the ages, complemented by the captivating pen-and-ink-with-watercolor illustrations of artist Bill Slavin.

Pub Date Giveaway: Tell us which new release of ours you would love to read in the comments below and one lucky reader will receive their requested book!

One request per person and please review our rules. This giveaway ends at midnight on Thursday, August 16, 2012!

UPDATE: Congratulations to Julie, who will be getting a copy of The Big Book of Vampires!

Posted on

2011 Book of the Year Award Winners

ForeWord Reviews‘ Book of the Year Awards were established to bring increased attention to librarians and booksellers of the literary and graphic achievements of independent publishers and their authors. The decisions are based on editorial excellence, professional production, originality of the narrative, author credentials relative to the book, and the value the book adds to its genre.

Tundra would like to congratulate our finalists and winners for an outstanding job!

Young Adult Fiction

Silver Winner
First Descent
Written by Pam Withers
Hardcover | 272 pages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-257-8
eBook: 978-1-77049-274-5
Brisk, snappy language, an exotic setting and a socially-conscious tale of adventure well told – First Descent is a solid recommendation for adventure lovers of any age or gender.” – Canadian Children’s Book News

Honorable Mention
The Dragon Turn: The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His Fifth Case
Written by Shane Peacock
Hardcover | 240 pages
ISBN: 978-1-77049-231-8
eBook: 978-1-77049-273-8
“…The mystery is well-paced, full of night-time thrills and shady characters, and our fallible hero … hopefully Shane Peacock isn’t done with his youthful protagonist yet.” – Excellent, Resource Links

Other winners in this category: Brooklyn, Burning and Drummer Girl.

Young Adult Nonfiction

Silver Winner
Five Thousand Years of Slavery
Written by Marjorie Gann and Janet Willen
Hardcover | 176 pages
ISBN: 978-0-88776-914-6
eBook: 978-1-77049-151-9
“[Gann and Willen] … have written an invaluable work that sets slavery into a much larger continuum that predates recorded history and continues even today in all parts of the world…. Gann and Willen are engaging storytellers…. Five Thousand Years of Slavery deserves a widespread distribution in school and public libraries.” – Highly Recommended, CM Magazine

Other winners in this category: Beyond Bullets, World Without Fish, and Law Made Fun through Harry Potter’s Adventures

Tundra Book Group