October 08, 2024

Getting Us to Grandma's

Written by Nadia L. Hohn
Illustrated by TeMika Grooms
Groundwood Books
978-1-77306-689-9
32 pp.
Ages 3-6
October 2024

When you're a child, a visit to your grandparents can be a very special outing. But for Nikki this visit is really special because her family has to travel to another country and they're going to attend the wedding of her Uncle Travis. But first they must get there.

Even before they hit the road, Nikki has been studying the globe and now their road atlas for the USA because they are travelling from Toronto to the Bronx in New York City. Sitting in the backseat with her mother who cradles the traditional Black Cake and her younger sister Maya in her car seat, Nikki has the map book before it's grabbed by her brother Langston who sits in the front seat. Now Nikki can only think about all the places her family now lives and where they once came from. She knows of Africa and Jamaica, England, and the US and who lives where. (Her map drawing skills on the window are especially impressive.)
From Getting Us to Grandma's, written by Nadia L. Hohn, illustrated by TeMika Grooms
Although she's desperate to get the map book back so she can track their progress, it's not till they take a break that Nikki can reclaim the guide and enjoy the front seat beside her dad. As everyone in the back seat sleeps, Nikki and her dad watch the road and the signs and drive into the rain.
From Getting Us to Grandma's, written by Nadia L. Hohn, illustrated by TeMika Grooms
But Nikki is an astute map reader and is sure her dad missed an exit, though he is convinced he's going the right way. Still when he finally recognizes that they're not where they want to be, Nikki is the one to help them get to Grandma's safely.

Getting Us to Grandma's is based on Nadia L. Hohn's own family travels from Toronto to the Bronx and her "Author's Note" tells us they are travels of which she has fond memories. It may be based on travel in the early 1980s–the use of a map, the clothing, her brother's Walkman, a Rubik cube, and the music may suggest that time–but travels with your family are timeless events. For Nikki, the memories are in the details, from co-piloting her dad's driving, bringing the bucket that would be used for toileting, and tracing family on a globe and maps. More importantly, for her it wasn't just about the destination. Sure, getting to visit with their Grandma and attend a family wedding were very important but the journey and her role in ensuring their arrival at Grandma's was equally important. Nikki was not going to sleep the journey away; she intended to be an active participant. And in tracking their progress through the map and the signage, and helping them get to the Bronx, this family trip was more than a Point-A-to-Point-B route. Nadia L. Hohn makes this a journey of family and discovery, as well as a celebration of a young girl's aptitude in map reading. And isn't it lovely to see her father trust the young navigator by his side.
From Getting Us to Grandma's, written by Nadia L. Hohn, illustrated by TeMika Grooms
American illustrator TeMika Grooms takes us along on that journey, keeping readers firmly in the car except for departure and arrival. The car is the environment for this family on this adventure, from its green exterior and interior, with wood trim and front bench seat. She does take us outside to see the rain and guardrails, a gas station and the roadways of graffiti and more. But the focus is that car and the family within. TeMika Grooms never lets us forget that her digital art is to ensure the story is Getting Us to Grandma's.

Getting Us to Grandma's may be a universal story, perhaps from a different time but still wholly topical, with which any family who travels any distance to visit relatives will be familiar. But while Nadia L. Hohn makes this a recognizable tale, she also makes this a story of her own heritage and those of others of Jamaican backgrounds. From the Black Cake and the patois spoken to listening to WBLS radio, Nadia L. Hohn makes her story reflect the experiences of the Caribbean diaspora who keep their culture and family close even when far apart in distance. Fortunately, a trip to Grandma's can bring everyone and everything together.

🚘🚘🚘🚘🚘
 
There's a great opportunity to partake in more than just a book launch of Getting Us to Grandma's because Nadia L. Hohn has a planned a special event.


On
 
Saturday, October 19
 
at 
 
1:30 -3:30 PM

at
 
Toronto Public Library - Oakwood Village Library and Arts Centre
341 Oakwood Avenue 
Toronto, ON
 
Nadia L. Hohn 
will be launching  
 
Getting Us to Grandma's
celebrating her 10th book
 
with this free event 
(tickets are available at eventbrite here)


which will include the following:

• Scavenger Hunt and Craft (
1:30-1:45 PM)

• Reading and Words
(1:45-2:15 PM)

• Performance and Dance (2:15-2:30 PM)

• Book signing, refreshments, and Dance (2:30-3:30 PM)


Details from the eventbrite post include the following:
Come for a scavenger hunt, storytime, break dance, graffiti art, and rhyme.

Bring your bgirls, bboys, and family crew. Solo acts and grown folk are welcome too.

Below is a road map showing you the way.

There'll be refreshments and cake. You know, the deejay will always be playing your song.

Another Story Bookshop is the onsite book vendor where you can buy your copy of Getting Us to Grandma's and my other books. I'll even sign them for you.

Optional, dress code: 1980s. Wear your Adidas, kangol hats, jelly shoes, and let the groovy music play. 

Some books by Nadia L. Hohn

October 06, 2024

Mystery at the Biltmore: Book launch (Winnipeg, MB)

Colleen Nelson 
author of picture books, middle grade, non-fiction and YA

 
 
is launching her newest book
 
Mystery at the Biltmore
Written by Colleen Nelson
with illustrations by Peggy Collins
Pajama Press
978-1-772783278
104 pp.
Ages 7-10
October 8, 2024 

on

Sunday, October 27, 2024
 
3:00pm - 4:00 PM
 
at

Whodunit New And Used Mystery Bookstore
163 Lilac St.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
 
 
An early middle grade novel, with illustrations, Mystery at the Biltmore is the first in a new series by Colleen Nelson (Book 2, The Classified Catnapping, releases in April 2025), and is described as "Only Murders in the Building meets Harriet the Spy." (Publisher's page at https://pajamapress.ca/book/mystery-at-the-biltmore-2/)

Here's a bit more about the book to really pique a mystery lover's interest:
The Biltmore in New York City is full of mysteries, and Elodie LaRue, a novice detective, plans to piece together the clues and solve the case of the missing jewels.

Left behind by her globe-trotting detective parents once again, Elodie decides to prove she’s worthy of joining them on a case by setting up her own detective agency at her renowned Upper West Side home, The Biltmore.

When a pair of sapphire earrings mysteriously disappear from Mrs. Vanderhoff’s apartment, Elodie is asked to solve the case. Elodie begins her investigation the way any good detective would, looking for clues and potential suspects. With twists, turns, and suspects galore, will Elodie be able to prove she has what it takes to solve a crime? Or will the LaRue Detective Agency fail on its first case? As Elodie, her dog Carnegie, and new friend Oscar (a self-proclaimed parkour master) delve deeper into the mystery, they encounter a quirky cast of characters, an array of clues, and a little bit of fun.
 
If you're fortunate enough to live in the area of Winnipeg, this would be a fabulous opportunity to grab a new mystery book, get it signed by the author, and start a new series that is sure to please all young mystery lovers.
Mystery at the Biltmore (October 2024)
The Classified Catnapping (April 2025)

October 04, 2024

Defy: Book Launch (Port Colborne, ON)

There's a new YA novel coming from writer Sara de Waard
the author of White Lies
White Lies
Written by Sara de Waard
DCB
978-1-77086-649-2
224 pp.
Ages 13+
2022 
 
 
She's launching
 
Defy
Written by Sara de Waard
DCB Young Readers
978-1-77086-7581
208 pp.
Ages 12-18 
October 2024 
 
on
 
Saturday, October 19, 2024
 
at
 
1-3 PM (EST)
 
at
 
Port Colborne Public Library
310 King Street
Port Colborne, ON
905-834-6512
 
This free event will include an author reading, refreshments and a book signing.
Limited copies of White Lies and Defy will be available for purchase.


A little bit about the book from publisher DCB Young Readers:
Enjoy your Final Days.

Escape a Natural Death with us.

Come to Zalmon’s Quiet End.

In the city of Zalmon, every Life Event is predetermined: where you’ll work, who you’ll marry, when you’ll die.

On a tour of Central Processing, seventeen-year-old Darius inadvertently unveils shocking information about his beloved little sister, Mahlah. His impulsive reaction may make him a target of the sinister people who run Zalmon, and could doom Mahlah to a worse fate than the one Darius uncovered.

Defying an unjust system, an unwanted Life Match, and an uncontrollable enemy, Darius fights to save Mahlah, leading him to expose a conspiracy at the heart of the city — and a potential life of autonomy, dignity, and love beyond what the Book of Zalmon dictates.

 

If White Lies, Sara de Waard's debut novel is any indication, lovers of dystopian YA are sure to find a great read in Defy.

October 03, 2024

2024 Canadian Children's Book Centre Awards: Finalists announced

On October 1st, the Canadian Children's Book Centre, our nationally-renowned authority on all things related to youngCanLit, announced the finalists for the 2024 English-language Canadian Children's Book Centre Awards. (See their website announcement here with videos of shortlists on Bibliovideo.) These finalists for the seven awards are a sampling of the extraordinary books for young people created by Canadian authors and illustrators. They are a great resource for exceptional reads from 2023 and 2024.

This year, the children's book awards include the following:
  • TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award ($50,000)
  • Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award ($20,000)
  • Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People ($5,000)
  • Amy Mathers Teen Book Award ($5,000)
  • Jean Little First-Novel Award ($5,000)
  • Arlene Barlin Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy ($5,000)
  • David Booth Children’s and Youth Poetry Award ($3,500)
  • Richard Allen Chase Memorial Award ($2,500)
 (n.b. The French-language award short lists will be announced on October 16th and winners celebrated on November 13.)
• • • • • • •
 
Here are the short lists for each award category, as announced by the Canadian Children's Book Centre:

TD Canadian Children's Literature Award
 

Do You Remember?
Written and illustrated by Sydney Smith
Groundwood Books

 

Green Papayas
Written by Nhung N. Tran-Davies
Illustrated by Gillian Newland
Red Deer Press


Simon Sort of Says
Written by Erin Bow
Scholastic Canada


Skating Wild on an Inland Sea
Written by Jean E. Pendziwol
Illustrated by Todd Stewart
Groundwood Books


The Umbrella House
Written by Colleen Nelson
Pajama Press









Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award
 
 
Love Is in the Bear
Written by Judith Henderson
Illustrated by Nahid Kazemi
Owlkids Books
 

Our Pool
Written and illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins
Atheneum Books for Young Readers 


Skating Wild on an Inland Sea
Written by Jean E. Pendziwol
Illustrated by Todd Stewart
Groundwood Books


A Tulip in Winter: A Story About Folk Artist Maud Lewis

Written by Kathy Stinson
Illustrated by Lauren Soloy
Greystone Kids


When You Can Swim
Written and illustrated by Jack Wong
Orchard Books (Scholastic)

 
 
 
Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People 
 

Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold
Written by Jessica Outram
Second Story Press
 

The Cricket War
Written by Thọ Phạm and Sandra McTavish
Kids Can Press 


Focus. Click. Wind.
Written by Amanda West Lewis
Groundwood Books


Mall Goth
Written and illustrated by Kate Leth
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers


Out of the Dark
Written by Julie Lawson
Nimbus Publishing



Amy Mathers Teen Book Award


Brighter Than the Sun
Written by Daniel Aleman
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers


Delicious Monsters
Written by Liselle Sambury
Margaret K. McElderry Books
 

Only This Beautiful Moment
Written by Abdi Nazemian
Balzer + Bray
 

Something More
Written by Jackie Khalilieh
Tundra Books 


The Space Between Here & Now
Written by Sarah Suk
Quill Tree Books





Jean Little First-Novel Award


Bee Bakshi and the Gingerbread Sisters
Written by Emi Pinto
HarperCollins Publishers


The Boy Who Woke the Sun
Written by A.T. Woodley
Illustrated by Mike Deas
Red Deer Press


The Cricket War
Written by Thọ Phạm and Sandra McTavish
Kids Can Press


The Secret of the Ravens
Written and illustrated by Joanna Cacao
Clarion Books


Where the Water Takes Us
Written and illustrated by Alan Barillaro
Candlewick Press
 




Arlene Barlin Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy 
 

Bonesmith (House of the Dead, Book 1)
Written by Nicki Pau Preto
Margaret K. McElderry Books
 

The Boy, the Cloud and the Very Tall Tale
Written by Heather Smith
Orca Book Publishers 


City of Nightmares
(City of Nightmares, Book 1)
Written by Rebecca Schaeffer
Clarion Books


Nightbreaker (Nightbreaker, Book 1)
Written by Coco Ma
Viking Books for Young Readers


The Stars of Mount Quixx (The Brindlewatch Quintet, Book 1)
Written by S.M. Beiko
ECW Press
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

David Booth Award for Children's and Youth Poetry
 

Forever Our Home
Written by Tonya Simpson
Illustrated by Carla Joseph
Orca Book Publishers


I Want to Build a Seahouse
Written by Whitney Moran
Illustrated by Josée Bisaillon
Nimbus Publishing
 

Like a Hurricane
Written by Jonathan Bécotte
Translated by Jonathan Kaplansky
Orca Book Publishers
 

The Prisoner and the Writer
Written by Heather Camlot
Illustrated by Sophie Casson
Groundwood Books 


Robot, Unicorn, Queen: Poems for You and Me
Written by Shannon Bramer
Illustrated by Irene Luxbacher
Groundwood Books


The Yellow Leaves Are Coming
Written by James Gladstone
Illustrated by François Thisdale
Red Deer Press


 
 
Richard Allen Chase Memorial Award


Alone: The Journeys of Three Young Refugees
Written by Paul Tom
Illustrated by Mélanie Baillairgé
Translated by Arielle Aaronson
Groundwood Books


The Halifax Explosion: 6 December 1917, at 9:05 in the Morning
Written by Afua Cooper
Illustrated by Rebecca Bender
Plumleaf Press


The Secret Pocket
Written by Peggy Janicki
Illustrated by Carrielynn Victor
Orca Book Publishers


Shizue's Path
Written by Mark Sakamoto
Illustrated by Rachel Wada
HarperCollins Publishers


A Star Explodes: The Story of Supernova 1054
Written by James Gladstone
Illustrated by Yaara Eshet
Owlkids Books

 

 

 📚📚📚

The winners of these awards will be announced on October 28, 2024 at a ticketed event in Toronto.