Dennis Lee holds court at Small Print Toronto (photo: Chris Wilkie)

In September 2011, HarperCollins Canada announced it will publish Melvis and Elvis, Dennis Lee’s first collection of children’s poems in a decade. In what should prove to be a fun and interesting pairing of stalwart and up-and-comer, Grumpy Bird author-illustrator Jeremy Tankard has signed on to illustrate the book.

Tankard, whose Grumpy Bird sequel Boo Hoo Bird won the Blue Spruce Award in 2010, has been garnering praise for his illustrative work, including last year’s hit, It’s a Tiger, written by David LaRochelle.

Melvis and Elvis is slated for a fall 2014 release.