Looking forward an exciting array of fiction for 2012

It's not even August yet but there is much excitement in the Templar offices as we took delivery of advanced reading copies of our fiction highlights for 2012.

It took a team of 8 budding body builders to unload this lorry of delights.

We've gone for an exciting glossy new look - we hope you'll agree they look utterly smashing.

We can't wait to start sending them out and spreading the word about all of the fabulous new titles winging their way to you in 2012!
Bring it on....

AND THE WINNER IS......Grahame Baker-Smith!

We are absolutely and completely thrilled to announce that Templar Picture book author and illustrator Grahame Baker-Smith is the worthy WINNER of the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2011.

The lavish ceremony held at BAFTA in central London kicked off at mid day and was hosted by the super eloquent news reader Jennie Bond.
With awe inspiring videos by children reading on behalf of the RNIB and introductions to the books by esteemed members of the YLG. We were all sat on tenterhooks eagerly awaiting the winner announcement and Grahame was utterly thrilled to be announced as winner and called to the stage to receive his prize.

Grahame made a rousing and inspiring speech! as did the winner of the Carnegie Medal the ever so dashing Patrick Ness.

After mingling with lots of love librarians and movers and shakers we headed off to Fortum and Mason for celebratory tea with Grahame and his family.

What a smashing day!

Paul Thurlby signs a mountain of books!

The ever so fabulous Mr Paul Thurlby signed a huge stack of his book Alphabet - Look out for them in local book shops - these are sure to be a collectors item very soon!

Grahame Baker-Smith, the 2011 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal winner

It's the morning after, and we are still buzzing with the announcement that Grahame Baker-Smith is the winner of the 2011 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal for his incredibly beautiful and moving picture book, FArTHER.

When a father who dreams of flying does not return from the war, his son decides to make that dream come true.

Grahame Baker-Smith's moving story shows how, with love and a bit of ambition, you can reach seemingly impossible goals.




Here's the Greenaway press release:

Baker-Smith’s book was inspired both by his own father, and by being the father of a son himself.

Of this year’s winning book, Ferelith Hordon, Chair of the CILIP Kate Greenaway judging panel comments: “FArTHER is a beautifully conceived picture book with a dream-like quality that captures the imagination of readers of all ages. Its wealth of detail conveys both dark emotions: the storms of war and weather, and a powerful sense of loss and bereavement; but also a great sense of hope, particularly as vested in future generations”.

Grahame Baker-Smith lives in Bath and has been working as an illustrator for the past 30 years. His work includes several books, and an album cover for Robert Plant. Five years ago, he evolved a new way of working, and a striking change of style. His first “new look” book, Leon and the Place Between, was shortlisted for last year’s CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal, and FArTHER is his second. Both are published by Templar.

Inside FArTHER

On winning the CILIP Kate Greenaway, Grahame comments: “It’s been an extraordinary, painful, joyous, frustrating and wonderful trip, this making a living from my imagination. I am utterly amazed to win”.

The CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal, established in 1956 and named in honour of the distinguished illustrator is awarded for “outstanding illustration in a children’s book”. Sister award to the CILIP Carnegie Medal, it is judged by an expert panel of children’s librarians from the Youth Libraries Group (YLG), and follows the same unique process of nomination, and judging. Since a bequest left in 2000 by children’s book and illustration collector, Colin Mears, the winner receives a cheque for £5,000 in addition to the coveted medal. Distinguished former winners of the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal, which celebrated its 50th birthday in 2007, include Shirley Hughes, Raymond Briggs and Quentin Blake.

That pretty much says it all really! Thank you to everyone who has sent messages of support, we are really proud publishers and know there will be many more incredible books to come from Grahame. For more information on FArTHER as well as other work by Grahame Baker-Smith, visit our website here.

Grahame Baker-Smith

Forgive My Fins UK Blog Tour 27th June - 8th July

On 1st July 2011, Templar is publishing US blockbuster Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs. I'm going to use my British tendency for understatement and say we are quite thrilled to be doing so... And now I'm going to tell the truth and say we are absolutely over the moonfish to be bringing such a successful author and her adorable mermaid heroine to our shores. See what I did there!

Click here for an extract

FORGIVE MY FINS
Tera Lynn Childs

When a mermaid has her first kiss, she 'bonds' for life with the person she kisses. For Lily, a mermaid princess living in secret on land, this means she has ended up accidentally bonded to her obnoxious neighbour, instead of to the boy of her dreams. So begins a tidal wave of relationship drama, as Lily discovers that happily-ever-after never sails as smoothly as you plan it to.

Forgive My Fins had me hooked from page one, and I can’t wait to immerse myself in its sequel! I simply adored this book! Alyson Noel, author of The Immortals Series

This lighter-than-air read will charm teens and tween girls who prefer their supernatural romances to be more Meg Cabot than Stephenie Meyer. ALA Booklist



Tera will be visiting a massive 12 blogs on her tour, starting on 27th June and coming to an end on 8th July and if you miss even one of these stops you'll be seriously disrespecting your love of YA fiction. So, here's the line up:

27th June

With a kick of our fins we're starting the tour off at I Want To Read That where Tera will be dropping off her first guest post and the lovely Sammee will be posting her review - and believe me, this girl knows her YA!

28th June

If that wets your appetite, swim over to The Slowest Bookworm where you can read an exceprt from the first pages of the book and check out how The Slowest Bookworm has rated Forgive My Fins in her review. If you've already decided this book is for you, you can also enter the first giveaway of the tour.

29th June

On day three, Tera will be talking about how writing has worked its way into her life over on Nayu's Reading Corner and there will be a third review from Nayu if you wreckon you still need convincing.

30th June

If you're into your music as much as you're into your books then Book Angel Booktopia is the stop for you. Tera will be discussing her musical moments, the music that has influenced her and Forgive My Fins. The Book Angel will also be hosting the second giveaway on the tour so make shore you enter!

1st July

It's publication day and Tera will be coming ashore at Books For Company for her first Q&A so head here for some juicy insights and another chance to get your hands on a copy of the book.

2nd July

Tera will be dropping off another fintastic guest post at the halfway stop over at Cheezyfeet Books where you can also read another review and - yes, we're spoiling you rotten - enter another giveaway.

3rd July

It's the end of the first week of the tour and Tera will be at Mostly Reading YA with her 5th guest post. It's the perfect plaice to be if you've got those Sunday evening blues...

4th July

Whilst Tera is shellebrating Independence Day, she'll also be at Girls Without A Bookshelf to discuss how she imagined and created a mer world - how do you translate mattresses, cars and fridges?

5th July

Heaven, Hell and Purgatory Book Reviews are running a Summer Reading month during July and today they will be featuring a crabulous guest post from Tera. Keep your eye on this blog during July if you want to improve your summer bookshelf.

6th July

Time for Tera's last guest post of the tour at My Keeper Shelf but don't get your flippers in a twist because it's going to be a good one! Tera will be talking about her books for keeps - the ones that take pride of place on her bookshelf and are read time and time again. You can also read the My Keeper Shelf review and enter a giveaway.

7th July

We've reached the penultimate stop and it's with Templar's good friend The Reader Room. Here you'll find a krilliant Q&A with Tera plus Alice's review and yet another giveaway. If you haven't entered one of these by now, there's something wrong with you!

8th July

Time for the tour's grand finale and we will be at Book Passion For Life where there will be the last review and giveaway combo so it's your last chance to make up your mind that you want to read this book. And believe me, you really want to read this book.


~

So, at last Tera will be able to give her typing fingers a rest - perhaps a nice soak in some salt water? Make sure you keep an eye on our Facebook page for all the latest news about Forgive My Fins and all our fantastic YA titles.

Tera Lynn Childs is an award-winning author of teenage fiction. She spends her time blogging and writing wherever she can find a comfy chair and a steady stream of caffeinated beverages. Forgive My Fins is her first book with Templar and the sequel, Fins are Forever, will be published in 2012.


P.S. If you groaned your way through this post due to all the bad nautical puns I'm very sorry!

Hay Festival Frolics

THE HAY REPORT

It always feels like going on holiday when I set off for the Hay Festival and last week was no different.

I love the setting, the way its so laid back, the eclectic mix of folk - the amazing events and of course, the lovely Templar illustrators and authors who came along this year, to what seemed a bumper number of visitors.

Jonny Duddle and Adam Stower quickly teamed up and had lots of fun – their events were great too. Though poor Adam had a late Friday afternoon session, when it was at its hottest. The Hexagon venue was a mini-conservatory and at one point a few of the children were lying spread out on the cushions almost comatose – but still listening to the story.

For Jonny’s events people were encouraged to dress up in pirate costume - and they all joined in with their ooo aaaargh’s in hearty pirate voices. Jonny looked a pretty convincing pirate too, in his new gear and I rigged up our very sad parrot on his flip chart.

Thomas Docherty brought his usual magic to the festival and his two events were lovely – the children and parents really joining in, and lots of compliments from teachers there with their own children.

On Friday evening Adam very kindly met up with 15 students from Hereford Art College for a mini-masterclass – they passed around their sketch books and chatted about life as an illustrator. I think Adam was very impressed with the standard of their work.

Not too much partying that night as Adam had a 9am event on Saturday morning – which went well. Much cooler for a start and he had charmed the bookshop lady so he was signing books for ages.

Johnny O’Brien arrived in the nick of time for his 11.30 event - which played to an audience of over 100 and everyone loved the enactments and his memorabilia. He also took a writing masterclass later that afternoon with about 10 people ranging in age from 12 to 30’ish. Then he was off – flying to Japan I believe.

A delightful afternoon with Nanette Newman and Emma Chichester-Clark

This week we had the pleasure of attending a delightful book signing for What Will You Be Grandma? At the magnificent abode of the delightful Nanette Newman.

The hugely talented Emma Chichester-Clark joined us to sign 300 copies of this adorable picture book .

Much tea was quaffed and many many slices of cake later we sat surrounded by lot's of signed copies ready to wing their way to a book store near you!(just in time for Christmas).

You can read a fabulous review of this book on the Library Mice website!


To receive a review copy of What Will You Be Grandma and have your review posted on our website and Facebook pages please email

emma.odonovan@templarco.co.uk