At Tundra Book Group (Tundra Books, Puffin Canada, and Penguin Teen Canada), we think all our books are brilliant, and it’s nice when others think so too! Congratulations to our authors and illustrators; these are our starred books of 2023!
FOUR STARS:
The Little Books of the Little Brontës
By Sara O’Leary
Illustrated by Briony May Smith
40 Pages | Ages 5-9 | Hardcover
ISBN 9780735263697 | Tundra Books
“This charming celebration of reading and writing is one for the books.” – Starred Review, Booklist
“Mixed-media spreads in muted, autumnal shades visually contrast themes of inner creative fire and outer quiet, as in one spread that reveals dramatic shadows behind the nightgowned children playacting by lamplight.” – Starred Review, Publishers Weekly
“Exquisitely crafted text and illustrations convey an emotionally resonant tale of resilient family bonds and the lasting joy of stories.” – Starred Review, School Library Journal
“A sublime blend of tender and thoughtfully playful writing by O’Leary, and bucolic, rosy-cheeked mixed media illustrations by Smith, this is an exceptional picture book.” – Starred Review, Quill & Quire
THREE STARS:
I’m From
By Gary R. Gray, Jr.
Illustrated by Oge Mora
40 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover
ISBN 9781774886168 | Puffin Canada
Available March 5, 2024
“Poet Gray, making a picture book debut, models the process of, and the power in, learning that “I come from/ somewhere.” – Starred Review, Publishers Weekly
“A beautiful, simple look into one child’s typical experience that all readers can learn from and relate to.” – Starred Review, School Library Journal
“This beautifully rendered picture book serves as a reminder of the importance of familial and cultural identity and the grounding that it offers in the wider world.” – Starred Review, The Horn Book
TWO STARS:
Don’t Want to Be Your Monster
By Deke Moulton
304 Pages | Ages 10-14 | Hardcover
ISBN 9781774880494 | Tundra Books
“Members of persecuted minorities unite to fight crime: icky, impish, and thematically rich.” – Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews
“Readers will root for these two bantering brothers as they fight to defeat the evil lurking in their town and, after the last page is turned, will long to spend more time in their world.” – Starred Review, Booklist Reviews
Funeral Songs for Dying Girls
By Cherie Dimaline
280 Pages | Ages 14+ | Hardcover
ISBN 9780735265639 | Tundra Books
“Atmospheric, intimate, and melodic; the rich storytelling sings.” – Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews
“Dimaline has created a rich world of complex characters with a narrative that oscillates from love story to suspense-thriller – sometimes within the same chapter – without any tonal whiplash.” – Starred Review, Quill & Quire
The Hidden World of Gnomes
By Lauren Soloy
96 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover
ISBN 9780735271043 | Tundra Books
“An utterly charming gnome tome for anyone searching for wonder.” – Starred Review, Booklist
“This cozy and whimsical primer on gnomes will delight readers of all ages.” – Starred Review, School Library Journal
The Only Way to Make Bread
By Cristina Quintero
Illustrated by Sarah Gonzales
40 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover
ISBN 9780735271760 | Tundra Books
“With a palette of golden brown and ochre and frequent close-up and birds-eye perspectives, the digitally edited, colored-pencil artwork perfectly suits the text.” – Starred Review, Booklist
“The art, combined with Quintero’s graceful text, results in a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the ordinary, love-filled lives of individuals from various cultures.” – Starred Review, Shelf Awareness
ONE STAR
Dim Sum Palace
By X. Fang
48 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover
ISBN 9781774881989 | Tundra Books
“Full of fine-lined crosshatching and a saturated color palette, Fang’s artwork is deliciously off-kilter, with flattened and blocky figure designs and a fanciful sense of scale underscoring the charming imagination of Liddy’s dream.” – Starred Review, Booklist
Pluto Rocket: New in Town (Pluto Rocket #1)
By Paul Gilligan
88 Pages | Ages 6-9 | Hardcover
ISBN 9780735271906 | Tundra Books
“Gilligan’s offbeat, random humor ensures that the stories are fresh, and the laughs are genuine . . . This first installment . . . is not one to miss.” – Starred Review, School Library Journal
Someone Is Always Watching
By Kelley Armstrong
368 Pages | Ages 12+ | Hardcover
ISBN 9780735270923 | Tundra Books
“With a plot filled with remarkable twists and mystery galore, the characters remain less developed, with hints of diversity in the cast based on character descriptions.” – Starred Review, School Library Journal
The Big Bang and Other Farts
By Daisy Bird
Illustrated by Marianna Coppo
48 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover
ISBN 9780735268012 | Tundra Books
“The returning collaborators deliver not only unremitting humor but also something to think about between laughs.” – Starred Review, Shelf Awareness
The Song That Called Them Home
By David A. Robertson
Illustrated by Maya McKibbin
52 Pages | Ages 4-8 | Hardcover
ISBN 9780735266704 | Tundra Books
“A gorgeous story inspired by Indigenous legends that will lead intrepid readers on a watery adventure.” – Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews
The Three Little Mittens
By Linda Bailey
Illustrated by Natalia Shaloshvili
32 Pages | Ages 3-7 | Hardcover
ISBN 9781774880111 | Tundra Books
“A funny, yet thought-provoking picture book that is highly recommended for reading aloud.” – Starred Review, Booklist
What Does Little Crocodile Say At the Beach
By Eva Montanari
40 Pages | Ages 2-5 | Hardcover
ISBN 9781774881552 | Tundra Books
“A feast for the eyes and ears, this beach and bedtime story will be read and reread often.” – Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews
