Tag: The Ancient Ocean Blues

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CBC Salutes our Award Nominees!

Hannah Sung of CBC Book Club presents the five nominees for the Governor General’s Award for Children’s Literature – Illustration, which included Tundra’s book, Bradley McGogg, The Very Fine Frog by Tim Beiser and Rachel Berman.

Congratulations to Jirina Marton, illustrator of Bella’s Tree, who was announced as the winner in this category on Tuesday, November17th.

Hannah also interviewed Shane Peacock, Susin Nielsen, and Cary Fagan on their books’ nominations for the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, the biggest prize in Canadian Children’s Lit! We’ll be cheering them on at the ceremony at the Carlu in Toronto this Thursday, November 19th.

Other Tundra authors and books up for awards Thursday evening include:

  • Thing-Thing by Cary Fagan (again!), nominated for the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award.
  • The Ancient Ocean Blues by Jack Mitchell, nominated for the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People.

Sigh. What to do when you have so many nominated books in one evening?!

Vlog courtesy of www.cbc.ca/bookclub

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Talk Like a Pirate Day

Y’arrr! Today be International Talk Like a Pirate Day! Here are some treasures for ye!

A Thousand Years of PiratesA Thousand Years of Pirates
Written and illustrated by William Gilkerson
ISBN 978-0-88776-924-5
Ages 10+ | 96 Pages | Hardcover
Governor General’s Award-winning author and artist William Gilkerson has spent years researching and painting their colorful history. From the terrible Black Beard to the fascinating Granuaile, or Grace O’Malley as the English called her, they have come to life under his brush. One can almost hear the creak of timbers, the snap of canvas while turning the pages. This gift book is a rich treasure in its own right.

KidnappedKidnapped
Adapted by Alan Grant
Illustrated by Cam Kennedy
ISBN 978-0-88776-843-9
Ages 10+ | 64 Pages | Paperback
This new adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Kidnapped, the dramatic and epic adventure story about a seventeen-year-old desperate to secure his inheritance, brings together two creative giants from the world of graphic novels — the absolute “dream team” of artist Cam Kennedy and scriptwriter Alan Grant.

The Ancient Ocean BluesThe Ancient Ocean Blues
Written by Jack Mitchell
ISBN 978-0-88776-832-3
Ages 10-13 | 200 Pages | Paperback
Anyone who thinks ancient history is dry will think again after dipping into these ocean blues. Here, political corruption, intrigue, high-seas adventure, romance, and comedy are all presented in abundance by the likable Marcus Oppius Sabinus, a teenager with a very contemporary attitude. Marcus is unwittingly involved by his cousin in “promoting” the ambitious young Julius Caesar in an upcoming Roman election. Given very little choice but to accept his assignment, Marcus travels to Greece, but not before he is sidelined by shipwreck, enslavement, and pirate attack. Oh, yes, and the beginnings of love.

X Doesn't Mark the SpotX Doesn’t Mark the Spot: Tales of Pirate Gold, Buried Treasure, and Lost Riches
Written by Ed Butts
ISBN 978-0-88776-808-8
Ages 11+ | 88 Pages | Paperback
Ed Butts’s tales of adventure, of shattered hopes, and, occasionally, of dreams come true expose the greed and the challenges that motivated the searchers. A few of them got lucky. But X didn’t mark the spot for most of these adventurers — and that means undiscovered treasures still lie ready to ignite the imagination.

Jacob Two-Two on the High SeasJacob Two-Two on the High Seas
Written by Cary Fagan
Illustrated by Dušan Petričić
ISBN 978-0-88776-895-8
Ages 8-11 | 128 Pages | Hardcover
He’s back! After Jacob Two-Two’s father writes a very important novel, the family makes plans to move to Canada. They board the SS Spring-a-Leak for a journey across the ocean. But something is wrong on the SS Spring-a-Leak. Will the intrepid Shapiro and the fearless O’Toole really be left on a desert island? Will Jacob Two-Two be made to walk the plank? Jacob Two-Two on the High Seas is a treat for those who know Jacob and for those who are about to meet one of the most endearing characters in children’s literature.

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2009 Canadian Children’s Book Centre Awards

The finalists for the 2009 Canadian Children’s Book Centre Awards has been announced. Congratulations to Nicolas Debon, Cary Fagan, Jack Mitchell, Susin Nielsen, and Shane Peacock! The winners will be announced on November 3, 2009.

SHORT-LISTED FOR THE TD CANADIAN CHILDREN’S LITERATURE AWARD:

Death in the AirDeath in the Air: The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His Second Case
Written by Shane Peacock
ISBN 978-0-88776-851-4
Ages 10-14

“This second installment of ‘The Boy Sherlock Holmes’ series maintains tension from beginning to end… Pacing is superb, great character development, breath-taking from beginning to end.” – The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC)

Thing-ThingThing-Thing
Written by Cary Fagan
Illustrated by Nicolas Debon
ISBN 978-0-88776-839-2
Ages 4-7

“A fresh and charming book about a spoiled child and an unloved toy thrown out the window… The quirky gouache and collage illustrations offer a sense of speed and uncanny stories on each floor… A book to fall for.” – The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC)

Word NerdWord Nerd
Written by Susin Nielsen
ISBN 978-0-88776-875-0
Ages 9+

“A humourous and cleverly written novel with likeable, unusual characters from the wrong side of the tracks… An original novel about regaining self confidence and trust.” – The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC)

SHORT-LISTED FOR THE MARILYN BAILLIE PICTURE BOOK AWARD:

Thing-ThingThing-Thing
Written by Cary Fagan
Illustrated by Nicolas Debon
ISBN 978-0-88776-839-2
Ages 4-7

“This unique story of Thing-Thing’s fall from the sixth floor of the Excelsior Hotel becomes a slow-motion vehicle for a touching and funny contemplation of life and love from a host of characters inspired by his fleeting image.” – The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC)

SHORT-LISTED FOR THE GEOFFREY BILSON AWARD FOR HISTORICAL FICTION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE:

The Ancient Ocean BluesThe Ancient Ocean Blues
Written by Jack Mitchell
ISBN 978-0-88776-832-3
Ages 10-13

“A fast-paced spoof on Greek tales… Laugh-out-loud funny with great characters… A new take on the old classics… This book is original, delightful and engaging.” – The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC)