“Debut author Meghan Marentette has crafted a charming adventure tale with a plucky protagonist. Children will identify with Rory’s natural inquisitiveness and his eagerness to learn more about The World Beyond…this is a simple, engaging narrative that can be read to children or enjoyed by newly independent readers.”
— Lisa Doucet
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In her debut novel, Meghan Marentette tells the story of the inventive and curious Stowaway mice. As Rory and Gran set out to find Grampa, they may also find their greatest adventure yet.
Click here to watch the book trailer.
On Sunday November 17th it was standing room only as 100 reading fans descended on the Writer’s Federation of Nova Scotia in Halifax to celebrate with Meghan Marentette as she and fellow author Jill MacLean launched their new books.
The Stowaways, Meghan’s debut novel about a family of adventurous mice, has been causing excitement since its release in October. It has been featured in Canadian Family Magazine, on Global Television, and in the Fall 2013 Books for Everybody catalogue. Meghan Marentette has been welcomed enthusiastically by fans at the Pajama Press Fall Book Launch and Art Show, at a special Meet-and-Greet at the flagship Indigo store in downtown Toronto, and—of course—at her Halifax book launch. Click on the thumbnails below to see pictures of that exciting event.
“…the best part of the whole book comes when Mr. Laidlaw describes the ‘champions’ in detailed profiles, for the work they do to ensure that cats are safe, well fed and loved…There are ideas galore that can be shared to help improve the lives of the many kittens and cats that are in need of help throughout the world. Just one of them might appeal to you and your family. Check it out!”
Click here to read the full review.
Victoria Allenby is the author of Nat the Cat Can Sleep Like That, a picture book illustrated by Tara Anderson that CM Magazine has “Highly Recommended” as “a perfect choice for bedtime and storytimes for young children.” This week Victoria chatted with Pajama Press publicist Erin Woods about her own story. This transcript is part of that conversation.
To learn more about Victoria, visit her website here.
Meghan Marentette‘s mouse adventure novel The Stowaways has been scampering into hearts across the country. Today the well-travelled mice made an appearance with their author on Global TV Halifax. You can watch the interview below, complete with some shots of Dean Griffiths’ wonderful illustrations.
“It’s lovely for young readers to catch a glimpse of village life in Kenya. The sentences are short and tell their story with a lively pace. The textural cut paper and collage illustrations add a lovely touch, and will invite close attention to the happenings in the village as the communal soup is prepared. Bright backgrounds match the brilliance of the children’s attire and the soup recipe shared at the back had my mouth watering…it is that time of year for the comfort it brings…”
Click here to read the full review.
“Tweezle is tired of being the baby monster of the family. He’s a big boy now—and has some not-so-helpful ways of showing it!
McLellan and Griffiths’ previous work, Hoogie in the Middle (2013), had middle monster Hoogie feeling invisible and frustrated. Now Tweezle takes a stand against his birth order. Everyone calls him “little,” but he wants to do something BIG. He tries to help in the kitchen, but the dishes crash to the floor. He tries to help outdoors, but he ends up knocking everything over in the shed. His sisters shout at him: “You’re the lint at the bottom of my pocket!” and “The mud on the bottom of my sneakers!” After this, little Tweezle mysteriously goes missing. His family finds him helping a baby bird that has fallen from the nest. Tweezle has had a big idea after all.Although furry, green and whiskered, Tweezle shares many commonalities with toddlers who are gaining independence. Older siblings in particular will recognize the ways Tweezle’s good intentions sometimes work against him.
…[T]his tale about an endearing monster family spotlights some very real moments of childhood growth. (Picture book. 3-6)”
On Saturday, November 12th, debut Halifax author Meghan Marentette wrapped up her visit to Toronto with a book signing at the Bay & Bloor Indigo. Meghan charmed the staff and was charmed by the shoppers—which you can read about in her latest Goodreads blog post. The Stowaways was pretty charming, too, as was illustrator Dean Griffiths‘ framed painting of main mouse Rory.
The Stowaways have been making a great impression all over Canada, getting reactions from reviewers such as: “I hesitate to compare it to The Wind in the Willows, but it is in the same league…Highly Recommended” (CM Magazine), and “Not since Stuart Little has the heart of a valiant mouse beat quite so fiercely as that of Rory Stowaway” (National Reading Campaign). Canadian Family Magazine selected it as a “Wish List-Worthy Book” in their November, 2013 issue.
Home again in Halifax, Meghan will be appearing on Global Television on Thursday, November 14th at 8:15 am Atlantic time. This appearance comes just before her book launch at the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia on Sunday, November 17th. As their name suggests, the Stowaways are going places!
Click a thumbnail below to view the full-sized picture.
While perusing the internet this morning, we came across a beautiful book trailer for Alma Fullerton’s picture book A Good Trade. Created by Sarah from Hugh Cairns V.C. School in Saskatoon, this trailer manages to perfectly capture the essence of this book. Take a look.
Click here to see our book trailer for A Good Trade.