Pajama Press

We are thrilled to extend our congratulations to Karen Bass, author of Graffiti Knight. This YA novel, set in Leipzig, East Germany, two years after World War II, has won the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People.

Karen Bass accepted this prestigious award Thursday night at the 10th annual TD Canadian Children’s Literature Awards celebration. Hosted at The Carlu in Toronto, this gala is a highlight of the publishing year in the Canadian children’s book industry. The Geoffrey Bilson Award, named for a Canadian author and history professor, is one of six major prizes awarded at the gala each year. This is the fourth award win for Graffiti Knight, which has already taken home the CLA Young Adult Book Award, the R. Ross Annett Children’s Literature Award, and the CAA Exporting Alberta Award. Other accolades include a nomination for the 2014–2015 B.C. Teen Readers’ Choice Stellar Awards and designations as an OLA Best Bet, a Best Books for Kids & Teens Starred Selection, and a Resource Links “The Year’s Best” selection.

Pajama Press is excited announce a new Young Adult novel by Karen Bass to be published in the spring of 2015. Uncertain Soldier also explores World War II themes, this time with connections to the author’s home province of Alberta.

Pajama Press would also like to congratulate Meghan Marentette, whose middle-grade novel The Stowaways was a finalist for the Monica Hughes Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy.

Shelagh Rogers for the CBC was a wonderful host

Graffiti Knight’s text desiger Martin Gould, author Karen Bass, and editor Linda Pruessen

Karen Bass gives her thanks to all librarians

Pajama Press designer Martin Gould

Nominated authors Meghan Marentette and Karen Bass

Richard Jones and Karen Bass

Meghan Marentette and publisher Gail Winskill

“Editor Goddess” Linda Pruessen and award-winning author Karen Bass

Rebecca Buchanan, Richard Jones, Erin Woods, Patricia Jones, Gail Winskill, and John Spray

Karen Bass with reviewer and juror Helen Kubiw

Nominated author Meghan Marentette and publicist Erin Woods

“…In this charming picture book we see how one of Canada’s great painters shared her life with a naughty monkey who could not seem to keep out of trouble. Often creative people develop a special relationship with the animals who keep them company as they compose music, write, paint, or sculpt. Children will appreciate why Emily loved her little monkey friend so much, even though she was often a nuisance.

At the back of the book the reader will find more information about Emily Carr’s life.”

Click here to read the full review.

“…Bear on the Homefront, a beautifully illustrated children’s book, tells the true story of the guest children who came to live in Canada during WWII. It’s all told from the perspective of ‘Teddy’, a beloved stuffed bear, and manages to talk about war in a way that is gentle, fascinating and educational…”

Click here to read the full review.

“Based on true events, this story takes place in Anatolia and Canada in 1914, during the break-out of the First World War. When Ali moves to Canada to secure a better life for himself and Zeynep, they communicate by journals. It’s a love story filled with tragedy when Ali is forced into a Canadian internment camp, and Zeynep faces horrors as the Ottoman Army marches through her villages. This moving book will enlighten and appeal to readers ages 12 to adult.”

—Barbra Hesson

“In the first book of Teddy, A Bear in War, we follow the little bear as he’s shipped off to keep Aileen’s Daddy company during the war. Her father never returns but Teddy does, and he now sits in a glass case at the Canadian War Museum. In this second book, Aileen is working as a nurse. She presents Teddy to children who have come to live temporarily in the safety of Canadian homes. These two heartwarming stories, with softly coloured illustrations, will be read and appreciated by ages five to adult.”

—Barbra Hesson

“…It’s a great deal of fun to read about Pistachio and her attempts to prove her worth as royalty, despite many parental obstacles…It isn’t until a family emergency fills her with worry and sets her on a course to find her little sister that she realizes what is truly most important in life.

This is a welcome early reader that is sure to earn even more fans for the very popular and charming Marie-Louise Gay. You will find Pistachio to be lovable, energetic and very opinionated.”

Click here to read the full review.