SPRING 2017
SPRING 2017
About children’s publisher Book Island E.B. White, the author of Charlotte’s Web, once said: ‘Anyone who writes down to children is simply wasting his time. You have to write up, not down. Children are demanding. They are the most attentive, curious, eager, observant, sensitive, quick, and generally congenial readers on earth...’ At Book Island we aim to publish up, not down. We publish picture books for the brilliant, resilient children of today, growing up in an increasingly multicultural and multilingual world. We select titles from around the world and translate them into English, building bridges between cultures. Thanks to our focus on inspiring stories, stunning illustrations and our high production values we create books to last forever. Collect and share our beautiful books! Greet Pauwelijn Founder and Publisher Bristol, United Kingdom
Winner of the Bologna Prize 2016 for Best Children’s Publisher of Oceania From The Lion and the Bird by Marianne Dubuc (p. 11)
M CH AR 20
Virginia Wolf
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Written by Kyo Maclear Illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault Age: 4+ Size: 293 x 229mm Format: Hardback Extent: 32pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-1-911496-03-8 Price: £9.99 Rights: UK & Eire only
Meet Virginia, who is feeling particularly wolfish today. Somehow, her sister Vanessa must help her feel better. But how can one girl save another from turning into a grumpy, gobbling wolf? The only way to find out is to pick up a paintbrush and see where your imagination takes you. A feel-good celebration of the power of imagination and sisterhood
“This beautiful picture book based loosely on the childhood of Virginia Woolf is a book to savour. It explores sisterly love, complex emotions and the power of imagination in such a way that younger children will enjoy the story and older children will have something to think about. Isabelle Arsenault’s illustrations are absolute works of art and make this a book to read many times over.” – Emily Drabble of Book Trust 7
M CH AR
Age: 3+ Size: 305 x 245mm Format: hardback Extent: 32pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-1-911496-04-5 Price: £10.99 Rights: all territories Translator: Greet Pauwelijn
What happens when Mr Postmouse goes on holiday? He delivers the post of course! Mr Postmouse and his family are back, and this time they are travelling around the world to see the sights and deliver parcels to all their friends. Experience opera on a cruise ship, toast marshmallows over a volcano, whizz through the air in a hot air balloon, and so much more in this irrestible picture book, the sequel of Here Comes Mr Postmouse.
“The joy of this picturebook is the way the stylish images invite you to travel with Mr Postmouse. Every interior he visits is shown in cross-section with enticing detail, so there are little islands of activity on each spread, which are easily ‘readable’, and reward scrutiny. Children delight in this kind of visual incident.” – Nicolette Jones of The Sunday Times 9
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Written and illustrated by Marianne Dubuc
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Mr Postmouse goes on Holiday
M CH AR 20
It’s My Pond
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Written and illustrated by Claire Garralon Age: 2+ Size: 230 x 211mm Format: hardback Extent: 32pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-1-911496-02-1 Price: £8.99 Rights: all territories Translator: Sarah Ardizzone
What happens when you want something so badly that you forget why you wanted it in the first place? Join yellow duck, white duck, red duck – ducks of every colour – as they discover how much more fun their pond is when they stop worrying about who owns it, and start sharing and playing in it together instead. Until a hippopotomus appears... A sweet and funny story about the importance of equality and sharing
“It’s My Pond is a beautiful book about the importance of sharing and friendship. Children will love the bright and colourful ‘hook-a-duck’ ducks and it is sure to appeal to any young reader.” – Emma Dunn of the Scottish Book Trust
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Our backlist…
The Lion and the Bird Written and illustrated by Marianne Dubuc Age: 4+ / Adult Size: 310 x 246mm Format: Hardback Extent: 80pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-0-9941098-7-3 Price: £11.99 Rights: UK & Europe only Translator: Sarah Ardizzone
A lion in dungarees and a bird with a broken wing form an unlikely friendship when they meet one autumn day. As the pair watch the other birds in the flock fly away, Lion takes it upon himself to care for his new friend. Soon the pair are sharing stories in front of the fire, taking sleigh rides and whiling away winter evenings in their slippers. Then, one day spring arrives. And so too do the other birds. Will Lion and Bird have to say goodbye to their friendship for the summer?
“Wordless on many pages and illustrated with emotional economy in pencil, crayon and wash, it encompasses friendship, loss, the passing of the seasons and a happy ending. A pearl.” – Nicolette Jones in The Sunday Times
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Here Comes Mr Postmouse
The Umbrella
Written and illustrated by Marianne Dubuc
By Ingrid & Dieter Schubert
Age: 3+ Size: 305 x 245mm Format: Hardback Extent: 32pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-0-9941282-0-1 Price: £10.99 Rights: all territories Translator: Greet Pauwelijn
Age: 3+ Size: 295 x 240mm Format: hardback Extent: 40pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-0-9941098-5-9 Price: £9.99 Rights: UK & Eire only
Have you ever taken a peek inside a rabbit’s toilet or entered the house of a crocodile? Join Mr Postmouse on his daily rounds and visit the extraordinary homes of Mr Bear, Señor Snake, Madam Dung Fly, the Penguins and many other animals.
It’s a windy, autumn day when a little dog discovers a bright red umbrella in the garden. The umbrella, like a magic carpet, whirls him up into the air and sails him across the world, over continents and oceans, the tropics and polar regions ...
You’ll find something new amongst the fun and colourful illustrations each time you help our mouse-hero make his deliveries.
A wonderful wordless picture book that tells a thousand stories
“This is a picture book children (and adults) will love to pore over again and again; it’s full of hidden pictorial jokes. The more you look, the more you see!”
“Yet again Book Island has identified an imaginative European treasure!”
— Readings - International Bookstore of the Year 2016
— Eileen Battersby in the Irish Times
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Fox & Goldfish
Maia and What Matters
Written and illustrated by Nils Pieters
Written by Tine Mortier Illustrated by Kaatje Vermeire
Age: 3+ Size: 297 x 210mm Format: Hardback Extent: 32pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-0-9941282-1-8 Price: £9.99 Rights: all territories
Fox knows that Goldfish is very unwell. Before it’s too late, he takes his friend on an epic adventure beyond the fishbowl. Together they take a splash in the ocean, go for a bike ride in the Grand Canyon, admire the view of Mount Fiji, explore the jungle, go skiing and even make it to the moon. Then time has come for Fox to let go of Goldfish. At least he’s shown him the entire world. Some things – like friendship, farewells, and the beauty of the world – are almost beyond words.
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Age: 6+ Size: 330 x 227mm Format: Hardback Extent: 32pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-0-9876696-6-7 Price: £10.99 Rights: all territories Translator: David Colmer
Maia is an impatient little scamp. When something pops into her head, she wants it. Now! Right this minute! Her grandma’s just the same and they get along like a house on fire. One day Grandma falls ill and loses her control over words. The grown-ups don’t seem to understand her, but Maia never loses sight of her strong, wonderful grandma and knows exactly what she means. A wonderful book to share with children and to treasure for years to come
“In this succinct and memorable book, many things are said in almost no words at all.”
“A stunning and unusual book exploring friendship across the generations, illness and ageing.”
– Iona McLaren in The Daily Telegraph
– Zoe Toft from Playing by the Book 17
The Big Question
Azizi and the Little Blue Bird
Written by Leen van den Berg Illustrated by Kaatje Vermeire
Written by Laïla Koubaa Illustrated by Mattias De Leeuw Age: 6+ Size: 330 x 227mm Format: Hardback Extent: 32pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-0-9941098-4-2 Price: £10.99 Rights: all territories Translator: David Colmer
Elephant has something on her mind. It’s a difficult question and she can’t stop thinking about it. Fortunately the annual meeting has been called, and the others will help her find the answer. The book’s topic will appeal to adults and children alike, and with each reading you will discover new details in the multi-layered illustrations. A stunning picture book about the many sides of love from the illustrator of Maia and What Matters
Age: 5+ Size: 000 x 000mm Format: Hardback Extent: 32pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-0-9941098-6-6 Price: £10.99 Rights: all territories Translator: David Colmer
Azizi lives in a country governed by greedy rulers, who capture all blue birds and lock them up in a big cage in the courtyard of their palace. The people suffer and live in fear, until one day a little blue bird escapes from the cage. Together with Azizi it sets out on a long journey to free the people of their cruel and relentless rulers. A contemporary fairytale that meets the demand for more culturally diverse picture books in an increasingly multicultural society
“Produced in a handsome large format, the book has captivating illustrations whose freedom and chutzpah perfectly express its message.”
“Sophisticated both in appearance and content The Big Question will have you pondering the bigger things in life.”
– Nicolette Jones in The Sunday Times
– The Illustrated Forest 18
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Sammy and the Skyscraper Sandwich Written by Lorraine Francis Illustrated by Pieter Gaudesaboos
Mr Miniscule and the Whale Written by Julian Tuwim Illustrated by Bohdan Butenko Age: 3+ Size: 190x 300mm Format: Paperback Extent: 24pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-0-9876696-9-8 Price: £7.99 Rights: all territories Translator: Antonia Lloyd-Jones
Age: 2+ Size: 340 x 225mm Format: Boardbook Extent: 16pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-0-9876696-0-5 Price: £12.99 Rights: UK & Europe only
Sammy is a little boy with a huge appetite. He feels like creating the biggest, tallest sandwich in the world. Before he knows it, the sandwich is taller than he is, but luckily he has a ladder and a crane to help stack his creation up through the roof. All it’s missing is a garnish of parsley… but all he wants is a banana! This look-and-find book is full of visual discoveries that will endlessly excite even the smallest of children, and indeed their parents.
“The first UK picture book release from New Zealand’s Book Island is a winner. The extra-large glossy format is immediately appealing and the illustrations are unique and brilliant.” – Book Trust 20
This rhyming adventure tells the story of Mr Miniscule, a teeny tiny explorer with a BIG dream who sets off on the vast ocean in search of a big blue whale, only to find a big blue island. Or could he be wrong? Mr Miniscule and the Whale is a timeless children’s classic known and treasured by three generations of Poles. The stunning illustrations and humorous story will appeal to both young and old.
“This book is so perfectly attuned to the current desire for wittily written, intelligently designed and aesthetically enriching literature it is destined to become treasured the world over.” – Look / Book Review 21
Bernie & Flora
Sir Mouse to the Rescue
Written and illustrated by Annemie Berebrouckx
Written by Dirk Nielandt Illustrated by Marjolein Pottie
Age: 3+ Size: 250x 300mm Format: Paperback Extent: 36pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-0-9876696-1-2 Price: £7.99 Rights: all territories Translator: Laura Watkinson
Bernie the Bear and Flora the Duck have been best friends for a long, long time. They love to work together in Bernie’s garden, where he grows the most beautiful flowers. But one day, Flora arrives at Bernie’s to find that the flowers – and Bernie – have disappeared. Who has taken them? The only way for Flora to find out is to turn detective. Bernie & Flora is a journey of discovery that leads to something even more beautiful than Bernie’s garden…
“This book celebrates friendship and love in such a lovely story that tugs at the heart-strings.” – Read it Daddy!
Age: 6+ Size: 245 x 165mm Format: Hardback Extent: pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-0-9876696-2-9 Price: £9.99 Rights: all territories Translator: Laura Watkinson
Mouse has a sword. She wears a suit of armour. She is a knight. She is bold Sir Mouse. Dragon is just a dragon. Knights usually fight dragons. But Mouse and Dragon just so happen to be best friends. Join Mouse and Dragon as they rescue Prince, outwit Cat, have a fancy dress party and find out all about friendship, knighthood and the true meaning of happy ever after. A hilarious illustrated chapter book featuring two strong female characters
“This mouse is too funny, and a character to be enjoyed by girls and boys alike.” – Herald Scotland
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Follow the Firefly / Run, Rabbit, Run
The Rabbit and the Shadow Written and illustrated by Mélanie Rutten
Written and illustrated by Bernardo Carvalho Age: 5+ Size: 280 x 215mm Format: Hardback Extent: 56pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-0-9941098-0-4 Price: £14.99 Rights: all territories Translator: Sarah Ardizzone
Age: 3+ Size: 265 x 220mm Format: Paperback Extent: 32pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-0-9941098-2-8 Price: £7.99 Rights: all territories
Have you ever seen a picture book with two titles and two covers, that can be read from back to front?
Enter the wonderful world of the following curious cast: the Rabbit who wants to grow up, the anxious Stag, the Soldier at war, the Cat and his recurring dream, the Book that wants to know everything, and the Shadow.
Follow Firefly in his search for a flashing light and then turn back at the end of the book to find the second storyline about Rabbit’s escape.
Over the course of ten short chapters they grow up, learn how to live together and to deal with their fears.
Two wonderfull wordless books in one. Great fun!
A book for a whole family, and for many, many years
“A clever, wordless picture book that can be read in both directions, with beautiful bright and colourful illustrations.”
“A tale rich with meaning in both the poetic text and the stunning visual language that has been beautifully translated by award-winning translator Sarah Ardizzone.”
– Ruth Grindley of the Scottish Book Trust
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– Outside in World
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Book Island is represented worldwide outside of North America, Australia and New Zealand by:
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