Best Bets!
Authors Booking Service
Wow! This year's OLA's Superconference was AWESOME!
PICTURE BOOKS:
Linda Bailey. Stanley’s Little Sister. Illustrated by Bill Slavin. Stanley’s world is turned upside down with the arrival of “Fluffy” the cat. Chaos and hilarity ensue with Stanley catching all the blame. But just when Stanley is about to give up, he realizes that having a little sister isn’t so bad after all.
Helaine Becker. A Porcupine in a Pine Tree: a Canadian 12 Days of Christmas. Illustrated by Werner Zimmerman. A porcupine, caribou, beavers, moose, squirrels, Mounties, Stanley Cups and more rollick through the familiar carol. With tongue-in-cheek humour and bright illustrations, this distinctively Canadian version is a delight.
Wallace Edwards. The Cat’s Pajamas. Wallace Edwards makes understanding idioms fun and entertaining. His extraordinary illustrations are visual clues to 26 idioms. Readers are challenged to decipher each one. Edwards seems to be telling us “Use Your Noodle”! and It’s a “Piece of Cake’!”. Check out the hidden cat on each page. Readers of all ages will find this book ”more fun than a barrel of monkeys”!
Anita Horrocks. Silas’ Seven Grandparents. Illustrated by Helen Flook. Modern family dynamics have left Silas with more than the usual quota of doting caregivers when his parents go away on a business trip. As one after another invites him to stay, Silas is in a quandary. How can he choose to stay with only one when all seven want him? Clever Silas finds a solution that pleases everyone. Colourful, lively illustrations make this book a special treat for readers, too.
Frieda Wishinsky. The Queen’s Secret. Illustrated by Loufane. There’s a secret that both the Queen and Kay share – and it’s up to the reader to find out! Delightfully teasing (the answer is at the end) this is also a rhyming book with bright, colourful illustrations.
FICTION:
Hugh Brewster Prisoner Of Dieppe: World War II, Alistair Morrison, Occupied France, 1942 (I am Canada). Alistair Morrison is talked into joining the war effort by his best friend, the slightly older “Mackie”. After basic training they are sent overseas and end up being captured after the disastrous battle of Dieppe. This new series is promoted as being for ages 9-12 but the honest way in which Brewster treats the lives of the soldiers during WWII makes it suitable for older readers as well. Exciting and well written, this is a story that will engage boys in particular.
Susin Nielsen. Dear George Clooney, Please Marry My Mom. According to Violet, divorce sucks. Her mother dates losers and always seems depressed, while her father is never around since he has remarried and moved. When she and her sister are invited to visit her TV-director dad in Los Angeles, Violet hatches a plan involving George Clooney to save her Mom and make her father crazy with jealousy. A hilarious look at the ups and downs of family life.
Lois Peterson. The Ballad of Knuckles McGraw When Kevin Mason is abandoned by his mother, he decides to escape by becoming Knuckles McGraw, a tough and brave cowboy. But with the support of his new foster family, and the reunion with his grandparents, Kevin re-finds not only himself, but the courage to face his future with new optimism. A touching story.
Sherrard, Valerie. Tumbleweed Skies. Ellie is sent to live with her embittered and unwelcoming grandmother for the summer. While a sympathetic uncle and a wounded magpie help her cope, it is Ellie’s maturity and inner strength which guide her growing understanding. This historical novel captures Ellie’s thoughts and emotions with compassion and insight. The hopeful ending avoids a sentimental solution.
Marsha Skrypuch. Stolen Child After World War II, twelve year old Nadia is adjusting to life in Canada after years in a Displaced Persons camp in Europe. But her memories and her dreams are confused and contradictory. Gradually she comes to realize that as a young child she was stolen from her Ukrainian parents and raised to be a good Nazi German. This aspect of the war is not covered in children’s books and this gives an added interest to an “adjusting to a new life in Canada “story.
Honourable Mentions:
Kerz, Anna – Gnome’s Eye – Orca
Peacock, Shane – Secret Fiend – Tundra
NON-FICTION:
Helaine Becker. Magic Up Your Sleeve: Amazing Illusions, Tricks, and Science Facts You’ll Never Believe; Illustrated by Claudia Dávila. Magic and science unite with wondrous results in this clever and informative book about magic tricks. The easy to follow step by step instructions, and eye catching illustrations are sure to astound and amaze the curious minds of budding magicians!
YOUNG ADULT FICTION:
Alyxandra Harvey. Hearts at Stake. Solange Drake is a natural born vampire, about to go through the change that will turn her from basically human, to thoroughly vampire. Since Solange is the only born vampire who is female, and there is a prophecy about her becoming the ruler of the vampires, her change is creating huge tension in the vampire world. With the Queen trying to kill her, and power hungry males trying to capture her heart, there is a lot going on in Solange’s world. Luckily, Solange’s human friend Lucy, her seven brothers, and a vampire hunter named Kieran, are all on Solange’s side, and all fighting for her survival.
Arthur Slade. The Dark Deeps.In book two of The Hunchback Assignments, Modo and Octavia are sent on a mission to discover a ship that has the power to wreak havoc on the world. When their own boat is rammed, and Modo is thrown into the sea, Octavia fears he is dead. Modo, however, finds himself somewhere completely unexpected, beneath the sea.
Honourable Mentions:
Erin Bow. Plain Kate.
Lesley Livingston. Darklight.
Allan Stratton. Borderline.
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NEWS
Jo Ellen Bogart has learned that her Scholastic book Gifts (illustrated by Barbara Reid) will be next year's TD Grade One Giveaway. 500,000 grade one students across Canada will receive a copy. Congratulations, Jo Ellen!
Valerie Wyatt will be attending Serendipity in Vancouver in February, where she will receive Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada 2010 Information Book Award for How to Build Your Own Country. The book has also been nominated for a Silver Birch Award, and Valerie will be in Toronto for the award ceremony and available to do school and library readings.
In December, Kingston’s Frank B. Edwards (Pokeweed Press) mentioned to a local literacy organizer that he had too many picture books and wanted to sell off some inventory for $2 a book. Word got out and he shipped 4,000 books to schools and non-profits across Canada in the next four weeks. Details are available on the Pokeweed website.
Rosemarie Boll has a Facebook page for students around the country to exchange their views on her book The Second Trial. Those interested can search "The Second Trial, a novel" and join the discussion page.
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A PERSONAL GLIMPSE OF HELENE BOUDREAU
Hélène Boudreau writes fiction and non-fiction for children and young adults. Hélène is an Acadian-Métis writer, originally from Isle Madame, Nova Scotia. She grew up in a large, rambling family of 8 children close to the Atlantic Ocean and much of her upbringing shapes the subject matter of her stories. With salt water running through her veins, it’s no small wonder that many of her ideas strike while swimming, walking in the rain or singing in the shower.
Hélène is available for presentations in both English and French, although she may sneak in a little Acadian ‘chiaque’ for good measure.
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NEW RELEASES
Monica Kulling: Merci Mister Dash! Mr. Dash’s fine manners make him a perfect companion to Madame Croissant. But Madame Croissant’s granddaughter, Daphne, is as wild as Mr. Dash is courtly, and she makes his life miserable. But when she finds herself in real trouble, Mr. Dash proves that he is not only well-mannered but as brave as any knight.
Gail Sidonie Sobat Chance to Dance For You. Ian lives in a suburb where everything’s the same. But Ian is different. Openly gay in his bigoted high school, Ian doesn’t fit in. But he’s been training in dance. Soon he’ll be able to leave town to become a professional. Then he falls in love with Jess, the star quarterback…
Christine Welldon: Molly Kool, First Female Captain of the Atlantic. In North America, the sea was long the dominion of men, but thanks to the inspiring example of first North American sea captain Molly Kool, that all changed. Molly wasn’t trying to be an activist or a role model. She was just trying to find her way in a profession she loved, and in doing so opened the doors for all women who came after.
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ABS MEMBERS coming your way!
Sigmund Brouwer has availability for the following dates and locations:
Feb 15: Kitchener/Waterloo/Cambridge one time slot open
Feb 16: Southern ON
March 1: Oshawa, one time slot open
March 2: Barrie, one time slot open
March 3: Southern ON
April 25: Southern ON
April 26: Kitchener/Waterloo/Cambridge, one time slot open
Jo Ellen Bogart will be in Ottawa and has dates available April 18 and 20, 2011. Transportation for her trip to Ottawa is being partially subsidized, so is much reduced.
Philip Roy (Submarine Outlaw) is available in the GTA, Hamilton and Oakville area in April.
*** NEW *** Gail Sidonie Sobat will be in Toronto and and is available for school and library visits in the GTA and beyond on April 27 and 28.
Jacqueline Guest is available in Toronto on the morning of April 28.
Helaine Becker is available in Brantford in the morning on May 3.
Helaine Becker is available in Peterborough in the afternoon on May 5.
Celia Godkin will be in the GTA and is available for bookings May 24 - 26.
Tololwa Mollel will be in the GTA and is available for bookings May 24 - 30.
Helaine Becker will be in the Ottawa area several times this school year and will waive travel costs for full day bookings (4 sessions).
Don Aker: Tentative spring visit, contact us if you’re interested.
Lois Peterson: Silver Birch Express Nominee for The Ballad of Knuckles McGraw will be in the GTA May 9-15, 2011.
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OUR MEMBER LISTS!
Click here for a direct link to our list of Forest of Reading nominees:
http://authorsbooking.com/2043/2064.html
A list of our regular members can be seen here:
http://www.authorsbooking.com/2043/index.html
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Visit our website at www.authorsbooking.com
Questions? Comments? We’re listening!
Marsha & Valerie
Contact us at a...@authorsbooking.com. We respond to all e-mails quickly.
Valerie Sherrard: val...@nbnet.nb.ca or Marsha Skrypuch: mar...@calla.com