Thunder Over Kandahar is a powerful novel of enduring friendship set amid the terror and chaos of present-day Afghanistan. In it, best friends Tamanna and Yasmine cannot believe their good fortune when a school is set up in their Afghan village; however, their dreams for the future are shattered when the Taliban burns down the school and threatens the teacher and students with death.

As Tamanna faces an arranged marriage to an older man and the Taliban targets Yasmine’s western-educated family, the girls realize they must flee. Traveling through the heart of Taliban territory, the two unaccompanied young women find themselves in mortal danger. After suffering grave injuries, Tamanna from a fall and Yasmine from a suicide bombing, the girls are left without the one thing that has helped them survive — each other.

The book and this video interview features photographs by award-winning photojournalist Rafal Gerszak (The New York Times, BBC World News) that bring readers an immediate sense of the faces and landscape of Afghanistan.

For more information, visit http://www.annickpress.com

Ontario’s Largest Summer Literary Get-Together: A six-day celebration of writers and readers featuring a stellar lineup of Canadian authors and poets.  This year, the Festival celebrates the life and legacy of writer, musician and Leacock Medal winner Paul Quarrington, including live music by Porkbelly Futures.  The band talks about their evolution, life after Quarrington, and the exciting new music they will be performing during the event.

Official Host: Kim Fedderson, Dean, Lakehead University, Orillia Campus; READINGS: Nino Ricci, Joe Kertes, Antanas Sileika & Kim Moritsugu

FILM: Exclusive continuous screenings of BookShorts Inc. documentary film Paul Quarrington: Life in Music; MUSIC: Live performance by Porkbelly Futures.

Tickets: $39.95 includes BBQ Picnic Dinner; To Purchase Call: 705.329.1908 or visit http://www.leacockmuseum.com

Leacock Summer Festival
July 20 – 25, 201
at
Leacock Museum National Historic Site
50 Museum Drive, Orillia, ON, L3V 6K5

Ontario’s Largest Summer Literary Get-Together: A six-day celebration of writers and readers featuring a stellar lineup of Canadian authors and poets.  In this video, author Nino Ricci reminiscences about his comrade in writing, Paul Quarrington.
PAUL QUARRINGTON LEVEE
25 July SUNDAY 2:00 pm

The Leacock Summer Festival celebrates the life and legacy of writer, musician and Leacock Medal winner Paul Quarrington. Official Host: Kim Fedderson, Dean, Lakehead University, Orillia Campus.  READINGS: Nino Ricci, Joe Kertes, Antanas Sileika & Kim Moritsugu. FILM: Exclusive continuous screenings of BookShorts Inc. documentary film Paul Quarrington: Life in Music. MUSIC: Live performance by Porkbelly Futures

Tickets: $39.95 includes BBQ Picnic Dinner

To Purchase Call: 705.329.1908
or visit http://www.leacockmuseum.com

Leacock Museum National Historic Site
50 Museum Drive, Orillia, ON, L3V 6K5

Ontario’s Largest Summer Literary Get-Together:  A six-day celebration of writers and readers featuring a stellar lineup of Canadian authors and poets.  In this video, writer Russell Smith talks about his love affair with Toronto the city, and his most recent novel, “Girl Crazy.”

24 July SATURDAY @ 5:00 pm
Happy Hour with philosopher and writer Mark Kingwell with additional readings by columnist
and writer Russell Smith & 2010 Trillium Book Award short-listed novelist Cordelia Strube

To Purchase Tickets Call: 705.329.1908
or visit http://www.leacockmuseum.com

Leacock Museum National Historic Site
50 Museum Drive, Orillia, ON, L3V 6K5

Ontario’s Largest Summer Literary Get-Together:  A six-day celebration of writers and readers featuring a stellar lineup of Canadian authors and poets.  In this video, award-winning author Joe Kertes, also Dean of Humber College School of Performing and Creative Arts, talks about his Leacock Award win, his next novel, and his long-time friendship with author Paul Quarrington.

PAUL QUARRINGTON LEVEE
25 July SUNDAY 2:00 pm

The Leacock Summer Festival celebrates the life and legacy of writer, musician and Leacock Medal winner Paul Quarrington. Official Host: Kim Fedderson, Dean, Lakehead University, Orillia Campus READINGS: Nino Ricci, Joe Kertes, Antanas Sileika & Kim Moritsugu.  FILM: Exclusive continuous screenings of BookShorts Inc. documentary film Paul Quarrington: Life in Music. MUSIC: Live performance by Porkbelly Futures

Tickets: $39.95 includes BBQ Picnic Dinner

To Purchase Call: 705.329.1908
or visit http://www.leacockmuseum.com

Leacock Museum National Historic Site
50 Museum Drive, Orillia, ON, L3V 6K5

Ontario’s Largest Summer Literary Get-Together:  A six-day celebration of writers and readers featuring a stellar lineup of Canadian authors and poets.

PAUL QUARRINGTON LEVEE
25 July SUNDAY 2:00 pm

The Leacock Summer Festival celebrates the life and legacy of writer, musician and Leacock Medal winner Paul Quarrington.  In this interview, writer Kim Moritsugu talks about her research and writing including her novel “Looks Perfect,” and her time with mentor Paul Quarrington.

Official Host: Kim Fedderson, Dean, Lakehead University, Orillia Campus; READINGS: Nino Ricci, Joe Kertes, Antanas Sileika & Kim Moritsugu; FILM: Exclusive continuous screenings of BookShorts Inc. documentary film Paul Quarrington: Life in Music; MUSIC: Live performance by Porkbelly Futures

Tickets: $39.95 includes BBQ Picnic Dinner; To Purchase Call: 705.329.1908 or visit http://www.leacockmuseum.com

Leacock Museum National Historic Site
50 Museum Drive, Orillia, ON, L3V 6K5

Ontario’s Largest Summer Literary Get-Together
A six-day celebration of writers and readers featuring a stellar lineup of Canadian authors and poets. In this interview, Cordelia Strube discusses her Trillium Award nomination, the writing life, and her fondest memory of fellow writer Paul Quarrington.

24 July SATURDAY @ 5:00 pm
Happy Hour with philosopher and writer Mark Kingwell with additional readings by columnist
and writer Russell Smith & 2010 Trillium Book Award short-listed novelist Cordelia Strube

To Purchase Tickets Call: 705.329.1908
or visit http://www.leacockmuseum.com

Leacock Museum National Historic Site
50 Museum Drive, Orillia, ON, L3V 6K5

Ontario’s Largest Summer Literary Get-Together:  A six-day celebration of writers and readers featuring a stellar lineup of Canadian authors and poets. In this interview, writer Nino Ricci talks about the launch of his writing career, and his most recent novel, “The Origin of Species.”

PAUL QUARRINGTON LEVEE
25 July SUNDAY 2:00 pm

The Leacock Summer Festival celebrates the life and legacy of writer, musician and Leacock Medal winner Paul Quarrington.

Official Host: Kim Fedderson, Dean, Lakehead University, Orillia Campus; READINGS: Nino Ricci, Joe Kertes, Antanas Sileika & Kim Moritsugu; FILM: Exclusive continuous screenings of BookShorts Inc. documentary film Paul Quarrington: Life in Music; MUSIC: Live performance by Porkbelly Futures

Tickets: $39.95 includes BBQ Picnic Dinner; To Purchase Call: 705.329.1908 or visit http://www.leacockmuseum.com

Leacock Museum National Historic Site
50 Museum Drive, Orillia, ON, L3V 6K5

Its been proven that youngsters laugh out loud at the antics of the 13 animals — and the child who tries to read to them — in her whimsical picture book. From bats to boas and camels to kangaroos, the animals demonstrate the many challenges of reading to them: a boa might want to hug you a little too tight, and you’d have to jump pretty fast to keep up with a kangaroo. All ends well, however, as we see the child reading to his parents. Now that’s something easy to do!

For more about Andrea and her books, visit http://www.annickpress.com

Best friends Tamanna and Yasmine cannot believe their good fortune when a school is set up in their Afghan village; however, their dreams for the future are shattered when the Taliban burns down the school and threatens the teacher and students with death. As Tamanna faces an arranged marriage to an older man and the Taliban targets Yasmine’s  western-educated family, the girls realize they must flee. Traveling through the heart of Taliban territory, the two unaccompanied young women find themselves in mortal danger. After suffering grave injuries, Tamanna from a fall and Yasmine from a suicide bombing, the girls are left without the one thing that has helped them survive — each other. Reunited years later in England, Tamanna and Yasmine discover that, despite the horrific events of the past, they are both driven to return home by memories of their families and a longing for their country.  Featuring real-world photos by award-winning Rafal Gerszak (The New York Times, BBC World News).

For more info about this and other books by Sharon McKay, visit http://www.annickpress.com