FRANKFURT 2025
Foreign Rights Catalogue
Pelckmans Publishers
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
Pelckmans aims to inspire, inform and relax today’s readers.
At Pelckmans Publishers, we are committed to delivering high-quality, thoughtprovoking literature that enriches lives and inspires minds. With a rich history and a forward-looking vision, we embrace the power of stories to transcend boundaries and foster understanding.
Our mission is to publish books that not only entertain but also educate, challenge, and empower readers of all ages. We believe in the transformative power of knowledge and the importance of diverse voices in shaping a better world.
We invite you to explore our catalogue and discover the unique titles that have captivated audiences in our home markets. By acquiring rights to our books, you join us in our mission to spread these compelling narratives across the globe. Let’s collaborate to bring exceptional stories to new readers and create a lasting impact together.
If you are looking for a specific topic, title or type of publication: don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’d be happy to share with you our extensive backlist.
Adults’ Rights List: Marisca van der Mark at Marianne Schönbach Literary Agency m.vandermark@schonbach.nl
Children’s Rights List & Graphic Novels: Sarah Claeys at Booketlist Agency sarah@booketlistagency.com
For general enquiries about our publications: Peter Saerens peter.saerens@pelckmans.be +32 3 660 27 20
www.pelckmansuitgevers.be/foreign-rights
PICTURE BOOKS
MY PET DOG BOB
Stefan Boonen & Jan Van Lierde
Bob is sweet. Bob is funny. He is cheerful and he is smart. Bob is the best dog in the whole world.
A funny and loving picture book about a special friendship and an extraordinary pet. Author Stefan Boonen and illustrator Jan Van Lierde bring wit, warmth and wagging tails to a story that will cheer young and old and that celebrates the connection between a boy and his pet, no matter which form it takes.
• Dynamic illustrations with hidden details
• Perfect for interactive reading
• Rights available
Stefan Boonen writes picture books, books for early readers, graphic novels, and novels for children, which are regularly translated and awarded. His novel Lowie was awarded the Premio Andersen 2025 in Italy. He is co-organizer of the Belgian children’s book festival KABAAL and frequently visits schools and libraries.
Jan Van Lierde studied Animation, worked for the BBC and Ketnet (the biggest Flemish children’s TV channel), and has published several picture books in his unique, recognizable style.
By the same duo:
FEBRUARY 2025
HARDCOVER
250 X 250 MM PAGE EXTENT: 32
• Written in rhyme to enhance read-aloud experience
• Rights available
Marije Siezenga is a preschool teacher by day and also a painter. Oirik (Erik Nieuwenhuis) has several books to his name as a writer and illustrator. They have been a couple for several years and Hercules is their second book together.
HERCULES
Marije Siezenga & Oirik
Do you see those little ants? In a loooooong parade? That’s Hercules’ family, who love doing everything together.
One day, Hercules has had enough: from now on, he’ll live all alone.
No noise, no chaos, no stress — but is that really such a good idea?
This read-aloud story from the creators of Moon, about family, bravery, and standing on your own two feet, subtly shows the balance between finding your own way and accepting help when you need it.
MOON
Marije Siezenga & Oirik
Floris is a very tiny fly with very big plans: he wants to make his family proud by planting a little flag on the moon. There’s just one small problem... he’s in a bit of a hurry.
Marije and Oirik’s debut picture book is a delightful read-aloud story about perseverance, bravery, and chasing your dreams. The cute character Floris will have you rooting for him straight away.
• Free online bonus material: build your own rocket!
• Rights available
BRIDESMAID BORIS
Kim Crabeels & Sam Vanbelle
Today is a BIG day. Doll is marrying Action Man. So of course Boris doesn’t have time for football. The boys in Boris’s neighborhood think that’s a bit strange. And even Action Man has doubts — he’s much more into Bear than Doll. And Doll? She’d rather race cars than get married! Just for a moment, Boris is confused. But then... the party begins!
A playful read-aloud story about imagination, being who you are and loving whoever — or whatever — you want. This picture book is the perfect step-up to conversations about (gender) stereotypes and breaking through them.
• The perfect conversation starter catered to children, on (gender) stereotypes and being free to do what you love, and be with those you love
• Rights available
Kim Crabeels writes texts for picture books, (read-aloud) stories, fact books and audiobooks for children aged 4 to 14 — but adults also love her cheerful and sensitive style. With her stories, Kim inspires both young and old to fall in love with beautiful children’s books.
Sam Vanbelle draws for books, newspapers, posters, shop windows, campaigns — and simply for fun. As a queer and trans person, Sam paints a rich diversity of people in their projects. Sam works as a lecturer and researcher at Sint Lucas Antwerp and loves birdwatching, gardening and cooking with their two children.
BEST WALK EVER
Yarne Daeren
Because he’s bored, a young boy is sent outside. ‘The dog’s been inside all day, just like you. Out you go! Both of you!’
But the boy thinks walking is boring, and there’s nothing to see outside either — so he grabs his phone… and misses the flying squirrel, doesn’t notice the jungle full of terrifying creatures, and has no idea you can walk along the bottom of the ocean.
Every little wonder passes him by. Because only those who truly look, will find all the wonders in the world. Just like you will when reading this book: put on the 3D glasses and discover how every scene is brought to life by the 3D effect!
• Made with 3D technology for a multidimensional read!
• Includes 3D glasses
• Rights available
During her studies in Comic Arts at LUCA School of Arts, Yarne Daeren illustrated her first book, Once Upon A Time There May Have Been, wirtten by Kamiel De Bruyne. This was followed by Once Upon A Time There May Have Been 2 and Max and Ribble Yarne loves traditional printing techniques, collages, and going for walks. Best Walk Ever is her debut as a writer.
THE ORIGIN OF THINGS
Jacques & Lise
In the great oceans of the Earth, microplastics begin to merge for the first time into solid forms. ‘Things’ emerge — in all sorts of colors and shapes. As their evolution continues on land, a remarkably civilized and sustainable species slowly develops.
The ‘Things’ begin to struggle more and more with the infinity of their existence and go look for comfort. They invent something extraordinary: ‘Life’. ‘Life’ is fragile, finite and breathtakingly beautiful. Unfortunately, it’s also unpredictable, hard to control, and it multiplies at an astonishing speed...
Leaning on the characteristics of today’s throw-away society, Jacques & Lise create a unique story that invites us to reflect on ourselves as a species and the impact we have on our environment.
• A brand new story from awardwinning duo Jacques & Lise
• Rights available
Jacques & Lise , or Jacques Maes & Lise Braekers, are an illustrator duo who love to surprise with original, thoughtfully crafted stories, always in their distinctive style marked by careful composition and layered content. Their illustration work has received multiple awards, and their books are translated worldwide.
Picture Books
Awards and special mentions for the work of Jacques & Lise:
• Henry and Aldo & Rino selected for the Bologna Ragazzi Award Amazing Bookshelf 2025
• Premio Rodari 2023 for the Italian translation of Viktor
• Participation Biennale of Bratislava 2023 with Pia
• Third prize at the 2022 Reading Jury for Henry
• Shortlisted Lokomotywa Award 2022 for the Polish translation of Viktor
Leporello
OSKAR
RIGHTS SOLD: ARABIC, KOREAN
ALDO & RINO
AUGUST
VIKTOR
RIGHTS SOLD: ENGLISH, FRENCH, ITALIAN, JAPANESE, KOREAN, POLISH
PIA
RIGHTS SOLD: FRENCH, ITALIAN, KOREAN
HENRY
RIGHTS SOLD: ITALIAN, KOREAN
THE RUMMAGE SALE
PIGEON
RIGHTS SOLD: KOREAN, SPANISH
LIKE SNOW IN THE SUN
ELVIS
Luc Descamps & Julie Vangeel
This is Elvis, quite unique
He’s special — truly a wonder, so to speak The most amazing pig around With wings that lift him off the ground
A cheerful rhyming read-aloud tale about Elvis, an extraordinary pig who feels right at home among the hens. Fly along with Elvis and discover that you can do whatever you set your mind to — with a little help from cheerful friends.
• A cheerful and humorous story that’s perfect for reading
• Rights
Luc Descamps worked as a teacher of Dutch, English, and German. He authored the popular book series The Dark Numbers and Eva’s story in Wrong Time, Wrong Place. His books have been awarded several times by the Belgian Children’s and Youth Jury.
Julie Vangeel studied Illustration Design at Sint-Lucas Antwerp. With her surprising style, she brings a wide variety of subjects to life — from books like Elvis to birth announcements and advertising campaigns.
BALL ROCKS!
Lynn Pinsart & Els Decaluwe
The big finale is coming up! But hey, something’s wrong. Ball isn’t feeling well. Can you figure out what’s going on?
Ball is usually the very best. But today, nothing’s rolling right. He feels down, weak and gloomy. Can we help him feel bright?
Focused on the character of Ball, this charming picture book helps your child discover playful ways to feel better and shows it’s okay if you’re not feeling quite okay. With every exercise, Ball starts to feel more like himself again. And who knows — maybe you will too? So breathe, bounce, and cheer along!
Lynn Pinsart writes stories for big brands and little people. She made her debut with a wild and wonderful book series (Giraffe, Octopus and Koala Bear ). Lynn is also the author of cheeky picture books I Put the Grown-Ups to Bed and the bestselling Chameleon Does (Not) Like Colors
• A gentle and playful introduction to mindfulness, aimed at creating a moment of relaxation and deep breaths
• Rights available
Els Decaluwe is an illustrator with a soft spot for sensitive stories. Her love for movement and emotion finds a place in her warm and heartfelt illustrations.
APRIL 2024
BOARD BOOK WITH FLAPS
240 X 250 MM
PAGE EXTENT: 24
RIGHTS SOLD: ENGLISH - MAINLAND CHINA, HONG KONG, MACAU, TAIWAN HARDCOVER
250 X 250 MM
PAGE EXTENT: 32
CHAMELEON DOES (NOT) LIKE COLORS
Lynn Pinsart, Vicky De Beule & Henk van der Gugten
This picture book about positive feeding is perfect to bring to the dinner table. Just as Chameleon discovers new colors, your ‘picky’ eater learns to explore new foods — one bite and one flap at a time.
A delicious tale by Lynn Pinsart, based on a recipe by pediatric dietitian Vicky De Beule, with juicy illustrations by Henk van der Gugten.
• Lift the flaps to find out where Chameleon is hiding!
• Rights available
MOLE & FRIENDS
Marieke van Hooff & Henk van der Gugten
Discover the adorable Mole and his friends, in a series of picture books aimed at our youngest readers! Themes include: friendship, discovering your talents, birthdays, Christmas and more.
AND THEY LIVED AND THEY STILL LIVED
Elisabeth Lucie Baeten & Flore Deman
This delightful mini-series is filled to the brim with powerful and imaginative stories — tales about princesses who are no longer confined to waiting, whispering or wishing for a prince. In this collection, they take charge of their own lives and write their own destinies. And so do their male counterparts! Time to give a new spin to bedtime storytelling.
These modern fairy tales invite readers — girls, boys, and everyone in between — to see fairy tale characters not as delicate figures in someone else’s story, but as the true heroes of their own. Whether their journeys are quiet or bold, these prince(sse)s show us who they really are.
Elisabeth Lucie Baeten is a writer, screenwriter and online media phenomenon. With over 270,000 Instagram followers, she delights audiences with her satirical videos, cleverly poking fun at politicians. Her sharp humor and unique voice earned her the Kastaar Award for Online Personality of the Year in 2023.
• Stay tuned: the third book will be published in the fall of 2026!
• Character stories include: Ariel, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, Belle, Cinderella, Aladdin, Pinocchio and Snow White
• More than 25,000 copies sold!
• Rights available
Flore Deman is an award-winning illustrator with a versatile portfolio. Her delicate yet playful illustrations are always infused with a bold splash of color. Best described as a whimsical universe, her work gently draws the viewer into the heart of the story.
MY TEAM
Senne Misplon & Julie Vangeel
Last summer, Lio moved to the big city. Today is their first day at a new school. With a nervous heart and a trembling tail, Lio heads to the soccer field, hoping to make new friends. But when Lio asks to join the game, the kids seem confused. They’re playing boys versus girls — so which team does Lio belong to?
My Team gently challenges traditional ideas about boys and girls. This heartfelt picture book is the perfect conversation starter to explore gender, identity, and inclusion with children in an ageappropriate way.
SEPTEMBER 2024
250 X 250 MM
• Senne was given the Cavaria Media Award 2024, to praise his contribution to LGBTI+ inclusivity initiatives with My Team
• Rights available
Senne Misplon draws on both his expertise and lived experience as a trans man to raise awareness about gender and sexual diversity. His mission is to make gender a story that belongs to all of us. My Team marks his debut as a children’s book author.
Julie Vangeel studied Illustration Design at Sint-Lucas Antwerp. With her surprising style, she brings a wide variety of subjects to life — from books like My Team to birth announcements and advertising campaigns.
ALBERT’S PERFECT NEST
Siska Vastesaeger & Kristof Ribus
This book is about Albert. And about Jeanne. Because if it were up to Albert alone, not much would happen.
Albert prefers to stay indoors and read his books. But Jeanne likes going on adventures. She convinces Albert to leave his nest and go human-watching. Will Albert enjoy his day out?
A subtly layered story about finding friendship, stepping out of your comfort zone and meeting each other in the middle.
Siska Vastesaeger finds great wonder in small things. Through her visual work, she invites viewers to pause and look closely. Siska works as a props designer and was commissioned by Belgian public broadcaster VRT to create the successful 2019 remake of Tik Tak, the classic Belgian toddler’s TV show.
• An extraordinary combination of miniature interior set building and photography!
• Rights available
Sitting and observing — that’s what Kristof Ribus loves most. Riding the waves of language and chance, he captures his daily impressions with quiet attention. Poetic and suggestive, he writes while drawing and draws while writing.
SHH, THIS IS NOT A BOOK
Kim Crabeels & Stephanie Dehennin
On a dull day, Storia loses her cuddly toy Beastie in the library. She searches through towering shelves filled with dusty books. And no one helps her. Because… Shhh! This is the library! It’s quiet here! And boring, Storia thinks.
Until the library man comes to help her. As a Word Keeper, he opens book after book and door after door leading to magical worlds hidden within the pages. Soon, Storia discovers that libraries — and books — are anything but dusty and dull. But can she find her Beastie?
And more importantly… does he even want to come back to the ordinary world?
• A fairy-tale
adventure
about the magic of books and the library just around your corner
• Rights available
Kim Crabeels , a storyteller through and through, and Stephanie Dehennin , a children’s books and science illustrator, join forces to create an atmospheric read-aloud story about a magical place: the library.
EARLY READERS
NOVEMBER 2025 HARDCOVER
250 X 330 MM PAGE EXTENT: 256
• Magnificent illustration work by Yule Hermans
• A collection of folk tales for every week of the year, covering every continent
• Rights available
Yule Hermans tells small stories through her illustrations. Blending magic with reality, she creates dreamy and poetic imagery. Yule has illustrated several picture books and also works as an editorial and autonomous illustrator. From time to time, she moves her drawing table onto the stage, creating live illustrations during storytelling performances.
JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD BEFORE BEDTIME
Yule Hermans
Little Peach is born from a fruit. In the warm hands of a Canadian couple, he grows into a brave twelveyear-old boy. One day, Wind breezes in with a story about Peach’s mother tree, said to stand far across the great ocean. Guided by the most beautiful tales and thrilling adventures, he sets off on a journey around the world to find her.
Journey Around the World Before Bedtime is a richly illustrated collection of 52 short folk tales — one for every week of the year. Travel with brave little Peach to the bottom of the sea, battle mysterious creatures, and dream among the clouds.
THE HEART OF THE OLD OAK TREE
Isabelle Gielen & Marijn van der Wateren
• Stimulates fun and interactive reading practice
• Rights available
Isabelle Gielen is a writer, speech therapist and mother of three sons. When her eldest son started learning how to read, she noticed how much effort it took — and how much more exciting he found read-aloud books compared to the ones he could already read on his own. That’s when the idea was born to create a shared reading book for early readers. Sparking a love of reading in young learners — that’s Isabelle’s true passion.
Near an ancient oak tree, Mirte buries a treasure chest full of candy. But when her brothers dig it up, all the sweets have vanished. Instead, they find a shiny blue stone. The moment they touch it, they shrink — until they’re no taller than a blade of grass.
That’s how they discover the Breenies: a tiny people with green hair, living between the roots and inside the trunk of the old oak tree. Life inside the oak seems like a fairy tale… but danger lurks. The Bluesies are watching.
Reading on your own takes a lot of effort for a child, and getting lost in a story can be tough. That’s why The Heart of the Old Oak Tree is made to be read together. The text in large letters is fitted for children to read after about one year of reading instruction. The smaller text is intended for the adult readers.
Marijn van der Wateren graduated from the Royal Academy of Art (KABK, the Netherlands) and worked as an illustrator and graphic designer for many years. In 2019, she switched to children’s book illustration. She is known for her vibrant use of color, dynamic compositions, and sense of movement. In each illustration, she searches for a balance between what the story tells and what her own imagination adds — always leaving just enough room for the reader to dream.
THE LONELIEST WHALE IN THE WORLD
Kim Crabeels & Sebastiaan Van Doninck
Lilja lives in a lighthouse at the very top of the world. She is the keeper of the Northern Lights. Her father is often away — measuring the tides, counting fish, plants and sea creatures, always searching for wonders at sea. After every voyage, he brings Lilja a shell. Her collection keeps growing.
One day, her father tells her about a whale who always swims alone. Other whales can’t hear his song, so they don’t consider him as one of their own. When Lilja is alone again in the lighthouse, everything is quiet. Until suddenly, a song drifts from one of the shells.
Is it the whale? And… is he singing for Lilja?
• A contemporary children’s classic, with exquisite illustrations by Sebastiaan Van Doninck
• Rights available
Kim Crabeels writes picture book texts, (read-aloud) stories, fact books, and audiobooks for children aged 4 to 14 — but adults also love her playful style with a sensitive twist. With her stories, Kim inspires both young and old to fall in love with beautiful children’s books.
Sebastiaan Van Doninck has illustrated numerous picture books, published in more than 26 countries, and has been a two-time winner of the Boon Audience Award, the prestigious Belgian award for original Dutch language work. Recently, he has turned more and more to his autonomous practice as a source of inspiration for paintings, drawings, printmaking, and ceramics.
GOAL!
Studio Waaiman
This dynamic new series for early readers focuses on sports. Step right into a football match as you read the commentator’s captions and follow along with the players on the field. You’ll also learn about the rules and equipment needed for the game. A perfect picture book for every young sports fan who’s ready to squeeze in some reading practice.
• Sports and reading all combined into one
• Studio Waaiman is the pseudonym for author Stefan Boonen and illustrator Tom Schoonooghe’s adventurous collaboration
• Rights available
In the same series:
A SMALL WORLD HISTORY IN 100 BIG DATES
Barbara De Munnynck & Isabelle Geeraerts
Why did Cleopatra hide in a carpet and why was Alexander the Great crying in a tent? How did Marco Polo end up in prison and Joan of Arc at the stake? And what’s the difference between the Great Wall of China and the Berlin Wall?
This world history book isn’t just a boring list of dates. It’s a treasure chest full of powerful stories. Travel from the hanging gardens of Babylon to the temples of Angkor Wat, from the shadow of the Crusades to the bright lights of the Enlightenment. Along the way, you’ll meet famous names like Julius Caesar and Napoleon, but also less familiar, fascinating figures like Ana Nzinga and Manuela Sáenz.
• 100 stories that take 5 minutes reading time each
• A world history with both the classic milestones and less familiar stories from either a female, non-western or peace-respecting perspective
• The author is fluent in English and German, conversational in French
• Rights available
Barbara De Munnynck is a journalist and worked as the editorin-chief at ELLE and is part of the literary collective This Is How We Read. She loves witty writing that also teaches the reader something new.
Isabelle Geeraerts is a graphic designer and illustrator with a special love for children’s books. She prefers to fill her work with bold colors and a good dose of humor — anything to make the world a little more beautiful.
AUGUST 2025 HARDCOVER
210 X 280 MM
PAGE EXTENT: 160
• With lots of feline facts and a purring parade through cat history – from Ancient Egypt to the 21st century
• Rights available
Floortje Zwigtman debuted in 2001. Since then, she has authored many children’s and YA novels, and was awarded among others the Gouden Uil and Zilveren Griffel, two of the most prestigious prizes in the Netherlands.
THE CAT
Floortje Zwigtman & Andrea Kruis
Cat lover and celebrated children’s author Floortje Zwigtman teams up with illustrator Andrea Kruis to explore the rich, worldwide history of these famously headstrong creatures.
Together, they dive into the mysterious thoughts and often curious behaviors of cats — trying to make sense of them. In this book, the cat finally gets the spotlight she most certainly deserves… or at least, that’s what she would say.
Andrea Kruis has been illustrating since she was 23. Andrea’s strength is her ability to observe and to translate what she sees into cartoon characters — always treating the people and animals with great respect. You will discover her work in children’s books, educational editions, magazines and NGO Communications such as the Leprosy Foundation, Hospitals, UNICEF and several animal welfare organizations.
ZARAFA
Barbara Rottiers
Discover the outrageous roadtrip of the very first giraffe in France! Meet Zarafa, the main character of the new book in this series of fictionalized biographies for children.
If they do it for too long, their necks get stiff. Because I’m tall. Very tall. Four meters, in fact. My height is always a thing — just like with basketball players.
People stare at me with their mouths open. Their knees wobble too. I can’t see it, but I know. Because people are impressed by me. They’re nervous. Because never before have they seen a giraffe.
And that’s what I am: a giraffe. My name is Zarafa, and I am the very first giraffe in France. The year is 1827. I am a gift from the pasha of Egypt to the king of France. It will take me two whole years to travel from the savannah to the royal palace in Paris. And I’ll do it wearing a raincoat and custom-made boots.
• An exciting and little-known adventure from a giraffe’s POV!
• Rights available
Also by Barbara Rottiers:
Barbara Rottiers is an adventurous storyteller, in both words and images. She finds reality to be a wonderful source of inspiration — for books, newspaper pieces, performances, and even story machines. Barbara worked for many years as a radio host and program producer for Radio 1. She has since left that path to fully embrace her true passions: writing, illustrating and sharing stories about both.
WHODUNIT?
Dirk Nielandt & Jill Heesbeen
Would you like to become a real detective?
Then this book is for you! You’ll learn how to solve crimes just like a true sleuth — how a detective thinks, seeks and connects the dots.
This book contains no less than seven mysteries. Each one has several suspects, and it’s up to you to figure out who did it. Who’s lying? Who’s hiding something? It’s your job to uncover the truth. Good luck, detective!
• A thrilling and interactive game book for young detectives!
• Rights available
Dirk Nielandt has written over 100 children’s books, ranging from toddler books to middle grade. He started out as a cartoonist. His series Knight Mouse became a TV cartoon series and was broadcast internationally. The accompanying books were translated regularly, e.g. in Australia and the US.
Jill Heesbeen is an illustrator and animator from the Netherlands. She has a fresh, colorful, graphic yet playful illustration style, and touches on socially relevant topics with her work. Because of the humor she often uses, her work is suitable for young and adult audiences. Some of Jill’s clients include: The Washington Post, VICE, Teen Vogue, The Huffpost, De Volkskrant, De Morgen, Trouw, and more.
ONCE UPON A TIME THERE MAY HAVE BEEN
Kamiel De Bruyne & Yarne Daeren
Once Upon a Time There May Have Been is a book series with twenty stories that might have really happened — or might be completely made up. It’s a guessing game: is the story true or totally false? Turn the page to find out!
A book packed with jaw-dropping tales and mindblowing facts to impress your friends. A hilarious read for anyone who loves adventure, mystery… or whales with a very full bladder or clumsy Vikings.
• Stay tuned: book three will be published in the summer of 2026!
• More than 30,000 copies sold in the series
• Rights sold: Russian
Kamiel De Bruyne is a creative television producer and author. He is the mastermind behind the award-winning show Sorry voor alles, has a steady fanbase on social media and now spends most of his time playfully tricking children with his popular Once Upon a Time There May Have Been series.
Yarne Daeren is an illustrator. While studying Comic & Narrative Art at LUCA School of Arts, she published her first book, Once Upon a Time There May Have Been, together with Kamiel De Bruyne. Yarne loves traditional printmaking techniques, collage, and going for long walks. Best Walk Ever marks her debut as a writer.
WISE WISDOMS
Katrijn De Wit, Inge Rylant & Laura Bergans
This highly praised and imaginative series of non-fiction books for children answers everyday questions that may pop up in conversation with your youngster. The series tackles topics such as nature, food, animals, dinosaurs and the environment.
Every page starts with a question – ‘Can birds sneeze?’ – and when you flip the page, you’ll find both an imaginative reply and the actual scientific answer. (And yes, they can!)
OR
• Series is being reformatted: from board book to hardcover edition
• 5 books in the series
• Rights available
Katrijn De Wit studied Art History and Theater. She is head of communications and marketing of a major international art institution.
Inge Rylant is an illustrator and print designer. She has published baby and toddler books in Belgium and France.
Laura Bergans is an award-winning graphic designer. Her experience ranges from educational publications to children’s books to fashion house branding.
MIDDLE GRADE & YA
19|91
Tom Rijpert
In the summer of 1991, a boy vanishes from a summer camp on the island of Terschelling. Search teams comb out the area for weeks, but as the years pass, hope of ever finding him fades.
Eleven years later, in the summer of 2002, Basha Berkel is sent to that same awful camp. On the bus, she hears whispers about a boy who disappeared long ago. Around the campfire, the ghost stories begin. And above her bunk bed, Basha finds strange symbols carved into the wood…
19|91 is a chilling mystery about two summer camps, eleven years apart. It’s about longing for the past, trying to freeze the present, and fearing what the future might hold.
• A thrilling new story by children’s author revelation Tom Rijpert, which received rave reviews upon publication • Rights available
By
the same author:
Tom Rijpert (@tomrijpert_schrijft) made the leap from director to author in 2023, with the successful duology The Seven Keys: The Path of the Robber King and Beyond the Fall. The books received glowing reviews, and in the Netherlands the first volume was immediately included in the Grote Vriendelijke 100, a list of the most beloved children’s books of all time.
THE SEVEN KEYS: THE PATH OF THE ROBBER KING
THE SEVEN KEYS: BEYOND THE FALL
RUFUS, FELIX AND THE ACCIDENTAL STAMP ROBBERY (STARRING VIEBE!)
Sofie Leyts
Rufus’s moms are master thieves — but he just wants a normal life. Felix’s mom, on the other hand, is a tough-as-nails police officer. Together, the boys hatch a daring plan: convince Rufus’s moms to retire from stealing… but only after they’ve pulled off one last heist — stealing the most expensive stamp in the world!
Unbeknownst to them, Viebe, the hotel owner’s daughter, overhears everything and accidentally gets caught up in their risky mission. Can they pull off the heist without getting caught?
A thrilling and funny adventure full of twists, turns, and unexpected teamwork.
• A detective story for teens full of misunderstandings, humor and adventure!
• Cover illustration by Marco Guadalupi
• Rights available
Sofie Leyts has worked in the library world for over twenty years. Her favorite thing? Chasing people down with books they have to read. She made her debut in 2018 as a children’s book author and in 2021–2022 she also wrote The Claus Family, based on the film by the same title.
LOWIE
Stefan Boonen
Until that fateful Wednesday in April, Lowie was employed by Mr and Mrs Simmer. Just like her mum (before she left) and grandmother (before she died). All day long — and all by herself — she has to do one lousy chore after the other. Until Mrs Simmer snaps her fingers one time too many. Lowie decides to run away.
The thing you need to know about Lowie: when she gets angry or sad, she can jump so high it’s almost as if she can fly. She ends up in the village of Hinkel. Not wanting to stand out, she cuts her hair and pretends to be a boy. A series of events puts pressure on her anonymous existence. What will happen to Lowie? Will she find her way?
• Rights sold: Italian
• The Italian translation, published by Mondadori, won the prestigious Premio Andersen in 2025
JACKIE
Liesbeth Talboom & Seren Teke
After moving into their new house, Jackie and her mum clash with an overzealous neighbourhood cop who’s anything but thrilled by their arrival. His daughter Odette seems equally determined to make Jackie’s life difficult. Grandma would totally get it — but how could she help from the other side of the world? Or… maybe she can?
• One of our most requested books in Bologna!
• Themes include: bullying, standing up for yourself, friendship, loneliness, helping others
• Rights available
WILLE
Van Gas & Melvin
Wille’s dad has melted. Not from a dive into a volcano — splash! — but from the hellish breath of Miss Halitosis, a foul villain so stinky and scary the entire country trembles at the sound of her name.
Now Wille is left behind, orphaned and heartbroken — but with a head full of books and crackling ideas. He’s placed with a filthy-rich foster family, featuring a bonkers foster mum and three bratty foster brothers. No surprise that Wille runs away.
That’s when he meets Imogen, a girl who drives around in a double-deck bus filled with books and has the bizarre (but pretty useful) gift of calling down really bad luck on annoying people. They team up with Professor De Boneir, a genius who sparks ideas by first acting gloriously ridiculous.
Together, this fearless trio can take on the world. Together, they’re coming for Miss Halitosis. That nasty piece of work has no idea what’s coming.
Van Gas (Kurt Van Gasse) shares the top floor of his mind with an engineer and a writer. He has won awards for his columns and short stories, and is part of the literary collective This Is How We Read. With his first children’s novel, Van Gas follows his heart.
• Humor, adventure and the thrill of the chase, perfect for Roald Dahl fans!
• Rights available
Melvin is the alter ego of Wout Schildermans, an illustratordesigner and animator. He creates drawings and paintings for children and young adults — in books, magazines, and sometimes on walls. His work has received multiple awards and has been published in several countries.
LILY
Tom De Cock
This dystopian YA series is bound to draw you in until the very last page.
It’s fifty degrees outside. Sea levels are rising by the day, and each morning brings a new lockdown — thanks to the latest virus, or worse, a creepy new fungus. But Lily couldn’t care less. She’s fourteen, lives in luxury, and is constantly busy as one of the most famous influencers of her time. What she didn’t expect, though, was the brutal truth behind the life she’s living.
• More than 15,000 copies sold in the series
• LILY won Best Book for YA 2022 in the Netherlands
• Stay tuned for book four!
• Rights available
• A powerful story about grief and friendship
• International movie premiered at the Berlinale Film Festival
• Rights available
Her journey of self-discovery doesn’t just shake her own world — it sends shockwaves through the entire generation. A girl who has everything gives it all up for love — and in return, takes on a burden bigger than herself.
SEA SPARK
Wendy Huyghe
On a stormy night, Lena’s father, fisherman Antoine Blomme, loses his life at sea when his boat sinks along with two crewmates. At the funeral, the air is cold — the whispers in Ostend are blaming Antoine for the tragedy. Reckless, they say. But Lena knows better. Her father knew the currents of the North Sea like the back of his hand.
Together with Vincent, a lanky fourteen-year-old in a clumsy octopus costume with a summer job at the brand-new Secret Sea Creatures Museum, Lena sets out to uncover the mysterious sea creature Lena saw — and the truth about her father’s final moments.
Sea Spark is a raw story about grief, friendship, and a girl who refuses to let go without answers.
THE SEASONS TRIALS DUOLOGY
Yasmine Van Den Meersch & Jonas De Backer
Ayla was never meant to partake in the Trials, but after the death of her sister, she is now heir of the Summer Kingdom. Valdemar, Prince of Winter, has a heart of ice. But Ayla’s fire might make him thaw. With a rebellion on the rise, traitors both outside and inside the palace, Ayla realizes none of this will be easy. But then again, the best things rarely are…
• Full English manuscript available
• For fans of Shadow and Bone, Powerless and The Hunger Games
• Rights available
TREADING WATER
Hanne Eerdekens
Linus had his future mapped out — gold medals, glory, everything. Until a car crash took it all away, and now he’s left wondering who he even is. Aster is chaos in human form — skipping class, throwing punches, kissing strangers — anything to avoid facing what really matters.
When Aster crosses the line one time too many, the principal gives him a final chance: mentor Linus as he returns to school. Neither of them is thrilled. Aster doesn’t want to play babysitter, and Linus doesn’t need saving. But the more they push each other away, the more they realize they might have more in common than they thought…
• Hanne’s YA novels are reminiscent of John Green and Kathleen Glasgow and receive high praise in the Belgian BookTok community
• Rights available
FICTION & GRAPHIC NOVELS
I GO TO THE SHEEP
Marieke De Maré
This is a story about fathers, mothers and children, but especially about five particular people. One of them often goes to the sheep, another one fights insects and the next one makes images of wax. One of them is a mortuary makeup artist and the last one watches nothing.
In everything they do, a question pops up that is never asked out loud. Why do they feel so inseparable from one another and want to be able to tell others so badly: “We’re doing fine”?
I Go to the Sheep is about silence, watching, holding on and letting go. And also about loving life. But how exactly do you do that?
• Winner of the F. Bordewijk prize 2024, awarded for the best Dutch novel
• Winner of the Confituur Boekhandels prize 2025, chosen by independent booksellers
• Rights available
Marieke De Maré invents, writes and narrates. She is able to see beauty in the most vulnerable moments and loves to share it with others. In 2020, she debuted with the novel Hump, which received raving reviews. I Go to the Sheep is her second novel.
By the same author:
HUMP SHIMMERS (CO-WRITTEN BY LARA TAVEIRNE)
ALL THE WAVES WITHIN ME
Uwe Porters
After the hectic early years of motherhood, Eva — a gentle, nurturing midwife and mother of three — feels her life shifting in a new direction. She’s ready to rediscover her sensuality, femininity, and sexuality. Her marriage to her childhood sweetheart Alexander appears stable — but beneath the surface, something is simmering. Or is it simply too calm? As Eva begins to explore this new phase — her libido roaring back to life — she finds that Alexander’s passion isn’t what it once was.
Together, they decide to push their sexual boundaries. They meet new people and visit places that stir the waves within. Rules are rewritten, thoughts reshaped. Eva stands on the verge of redefining herself and her sexuality, in a world where nothing feels certain — and everything seems possible.
• A rousing and sensual read about rediscovering and redefining femininity and sexuality
• Immediately featured in the top 10 of best-selling novels after its release
• Rights available
Uwe Porters has been a midwife for over ten years — and a mother for just as long. She is a sought-after guest speaker in TV and print media and a respected expert in obstetrics, midwifery, and postnatal sexuality and intimacy. She is the author of several bestselling non-fiction books, including Deliver Us, Delivered — Now What? and The Woman in the Mother
MAY 2025
PAPERBACK
125 X 200 MM
PAGE EXTENT: 208
• Lieven’s novel Peninsula was nominated for the Bronzen Uil, for the best Dutch debut
• Rights available
Internationally Best-Selling Novels
THE REVEREND AND THE PHILOSOPHER TOON HORSTEN
THE SUMMER WHEN
Lieven Stoefs
Sometimes I imagine that I come up in conversation. It’s painless for them, like an old calendar year, an unremarkable right-back from a mid-table team in the nineties.
Friendships exist — and then they don’t. Afterwards the questions come, silence sets in. Men don’t talk; without words, they break your heart.
With sensual language and scientific precision, Lieven Stoefs sketches a world of friends and brothers, fathers and sons. His second novel is a story of friendships torn apart and unconditional connection.
Lieven Stoefs is an engineer and writer. He grew up in Greece. In his writing, he blends scientific perspectives with poetic language. His short stories are regularly published in literary journals.
By the same author:
THE EXTERIOR OF MISTER JULIAN DIANE BROECKHOVEN
RIGHTS SOLD IN MORE THAN 15 LANGUAGES
CRACKLING SKULLS
ROGER VAN DE VELDE
RIGHTS SOLD: ARABIC (WORLD), GERMAN, HUNGARIAN, JAPANESE, SPANISH
RIGHTS SOLD: CHINESE, ENGLISH, GERMAN, TURKISH, UKRAINIAN
PENINSULA
HONEY EATER
Tülin Erkan
Every day, Turkish-Belgian Sibel deliberately misses her flight home from Istanbul Airport. Caught between two countries, she feels at home in neither. What she wants most is to come to terms with the memories of her late Turkish father and reconnect with his language. To pass the time, she observes fellow passengers with scientific precision and cares for a stray sniffer dog. Sibel meets Ömer, a security guard, and Wernicke, an unmoored pilot. When a snowstorm temporarily traps them together, their uneasy bond deepens — but their separation is inevitable.
Tülin Erkan grew up in Ostend with a French-speaking mother and an English-speaking grandmother. She spent her summers with her father in Turkey. Her debut Honey Eater received raving reviews upon publication.
PAUL VAN OSTAIJEN
Matthijs de Ridder
An impressive biographical source, a lucid cultural history and, above all, a tribute to the poet who wanted to change the world.
In this first full-fledged biography, Matthijs de Ridder brings ‘zot polleken’ to life. The poet once again walks the streets of Antwerp, wanders through the Berlin of the Expressionists and Dadaists, and roams Belgium in search of healthy air for his sick lungs. With great enthusiasm and an eye for historical detail, De Ridder tells the compelling story of a life that crossed a few pivotal moments in history. During his years of research, Matthijs de Ridder collected a lot of new material.
• Rights available
Matthijs de Ridder is a literary historian and writer. He has edited the works of Belgian greats Louis Paul Boon, Paul van Ostaijen and Gaston Burssens.
• Shortlist Boon Literatuurprijs 2023
• Shortlist De Bronzen Uil 2022
• Rights available
MARCH 2025 PAPERBACK
140 X 210 MM
• Rights available
OCTOBER 2025 PAPERBACK
140 X 210 MM
PAGE EXTENT: 232
• Rights available
EMERGENCY LANE
Kris Van Steenberge
Danny and Nicole meet in the late 1980s. He is a truck driver and a hardcore supporter of the local football club. She is a caregiver in an assisted living centre. They have two sons. On a dramatic family outing, Hans-Peter dies as a baby in his pram in front of his older brother Raphael. When his baby sister Helena is born, Raphael, haunted by deep feelings of guilt, develops an obsessive sense of responsibility for his sister.
Kris Van Steenberge is a writer, theatre director, and lecturer. His debut novel The Ferocious (2013) won the Bronzen Uil for the best debut, sold over 40,000 copies and was translated into Afrikaans, German and Spanish.
DEVIL’S CLAW
Dominique Biebau
Monsters are not born. They are made.
A quiet village is in turmoil. The library is organizing a special action month dedicated to horror writer Edgar Allan Poe, but a series of strange acts of sabotage throw a wrench in the works. What seems like an innocent prank at first quickly spirals out of control. The ladies of the reading club With Thrilling Fingers refuse to be intimidated and start investigating. They uncover dark secrets from the past.
Dominique Biebau has firmly earned his place in the Dutchlanguage thriller scene. With Russian for Beginners, he won both the 2019 Knack Hercule Poirot Prize and the 2020 Gouden Strop His crime novels have also been widely praised and featured on numerous shortlists.
ARAYA
Christina De Witte
After her father’s death, 20-year-old Araya sees no other option than to move in with her mother in Thailand. There’s just one problem: she’s never been there before.
In Araya, the eponymous protagonist sets out to discover who she is — in a country that feels completely foreign, where she doesn’t speak the language and knows no one. That is, until she meets Mariko, who pulls her into the underground youth culture of vibrant Bangkok. Their friendship quickly becomes Araya’s entire world — until it suddenly falls apart.
Araya is a modern coming-of-age story about (self-)love in an ever-changing world, about true friendship, a complex relationship between mother and daughter, and fighting for what you believe in.
Christina ‘Chrostin’ De Witte is an illustrator, author and cartoonist. She has a weekly newspaper column and over 84,000 followers on Instagram. Her previous novel, Some girls don’t like pink, was translated into seven languages. Apart from drawing, she loves crafts, cooking and weightlifting. Her dream is to see her graphic novel made into a movie one day.
• A gripping graphic novel about identity and family
• English sample translation available
• Rights available
DON’T WORRY ABOUT US
Koen Aelterman
Don’t Worry About Us is a graphic novel for adults by Antwerp-based artist Koen Aelterman, the result of over eight years of work.
This travelogue follows a young man as he treks through Australia in search of himself. It’s a captivating blend of Blankets and Heartstopper, weaving together themes of queerness, loneliness, the longing for human connection, and ultimately, self-acceptance.
• With exquisite black-and-white illustrations
• Rights sold: Ukrainian
ARLO
Floor Denil
Floor is in her final year of school and always hopelessly late. She gets through the days with her rebellious friends Arlo and Sil. But one messy autumn morning, Floor’s world comes to a sudden halt — and it never spins quite the same again.
Arlo is a powerful graphic novel about loss. With her distinctive, accessible drawing style and voice, Floor Denil delivers an autobiographical debut that gets under your skin and leaves a lasting mark.
• Themes include loss and identity, and will resonate with YA audiences
• Rights available
NON-FICTION
100+ LIFEHACKS SERIES
written by experts, with illustrations by Marloes De Vries
The 100+ Lifehacks series combines expert information and advice with witty illustrations and practical tips, to make life just a little bit easier. Each book covers a specific topic and zooms in on the challenges and tools that can help you cope in day-to-day situations.
High Sensitivity
High sensitivity is a trait that holds great value in today’s complex world. We need people who, driven by a strong sense of justice, fairness, and responsibility, dare to speak out against injustice. People with a strong social intuition who can think associatively and come up with out-of-the-box solutions.
Unfortunately, each of these highly sensitive strengths can become a pitfall when pushed too far. Self-reflection can turn into self-criticism, deep thinking into overthinking, empathy into emotional overwhelm, and helpfulness into rescuing others. Discover 20 everyday challenges and how to confront them.
• Rights available
Séverine Van De Voorde holds a PhD in psychology and works as a clinical psychologist, expert in high sensitivity, and coach in stress and resilience. She is the author of several books, including the bestseller Highly Sensitive and Coping with Stress
HIGH SENSITIVITY: OCTOBER 2024
AUTISM: FEBRUARY 2025 PAPERBACK
140 X 215 MM
Autism
How do you maintain your energy balance? How do you learn to say no? What’s the best way to deal with emotions, overstimulation, or a negative self-image? And how can you stay true to yourself? For every challenge, this book offers a wide range of tips to help make life with autism a little easier. You’ll also find advice for those around you — on how they can better support you.
Although autism is a spectrum and not every tip will work for everyone, anyone with autism is bound to discover a treasure trove of useful strategies and insights here.
• Rights sold: Danish, English (worldwide)
Peter Vermeulen is a clinical educationalist and an internationally recognized authority on autism. He gives lectures and trainings around the world and has written over thirty books on the subject, many of which have been translated into multiple languages.
Next themes in the series:
- Trauma - Stress
THE FLEX GENERATION
Peter Adriaenssens
Raising teenagers — is there a tougher job out there?
Smartphones, social media, sex, drugs... Many parents feel overwhelmed during their teen’s turbulent years, lost in an overload of conflicting advice. But what if we looked at teenagers through the lens of brain scans and ongoing development? What if we viewed adolescence as a period of constant growth?
Because the teenage brain is still very much under construction — from age 12 all the way up to 25! That also explains why many young adults, and their parents, continue to struggle even after the teen years “officially” end.
In this book, child and adolescent psychiatrist Peter Adriaenssens explores what really goes on inside young minds during this crucial stage. He explains how the brain develops, reflects on the modern world, and holds up a mirror to all of us. With warmth, insight and nuance, he navigates between science and gut feeling — never preaching, always guiding.
Peter Adriaenssens is a child and adolescent psychiatrist specializing in trauma and family therapy. Even after retiring from KU Leuven, he continues to support young people and families — work that forms the foundation of his many lectures, trainings, and therapeutic practice. He is the author of several bestselling books, starting with Raising Children Is a Process of Growth, published over 20 years ago.
• Not a step-by-step manual, but a thoughtful companion to steer parents through their child’s adolescence
• Rights available
I CAN(‘T) HELP IT
Delia Amoruso
‘I can’t help it, it’s just who I am.’
It’s a thought we’ve all had at some point. But… what if it’s not true? What if your automatic reactions don’t define you, but are actually echoes of old wounds?
In this transformative guide to self-awareness and personal growth, Delia Amoruso — psychologist, coach, and expert in inner child therapy, relationships, and leadership development — takes you on a journey to uncover how trauma shapes your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. She reveals how triggers knock you off balance and how survival strategies like perfectionism and people-pleasing may be holding you back.
• With practical tools, relatable examples, and grounded psychological insight
• Rights available
THE MOM BRAIN MYTH
Elke De Witte
Motherhood rewires the brain. From pregnancy to at least six years after birth (and possibly for life), a mother’s brain undergoes major changes. And it’s not just biological mothers — adoptive mothers, foster mothers, and even fathers show similar shifts in their caregiving brain. These changes are often dismissed as ‘mom brain’ — a foggy, forgetful mind. But what if they actually come with powerful advantages?
It’s time to clear the fog surrounding the maternal brain. That’s the mission of Elke De Witte, a doctor in neurolinguistics and mother of two.
• Myth-busting and insightful guide that offers practical advice
• With surveys from over 200 mothers
• Rights available
AUTISM AND NEURODIVERSITY
Jo
Bervoets
Neurodiversity is everywhere.
We all work with someone, know someone, teach someone — or are someone — who is neurodivergent. Whether it’s autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or Tourette’s, the question is: how can we respond with real understanding?
This book offers a foundation for an approach rooted in empathy and insight. It honours both the neuro and the diversity in neurodiversity — not just by exploring autism, but by using Tourette’s as a powerful lens to help us reframe how we view others and ourselves.
Whether you’re a (special needs) educator, HR professional, friend, family member, or neurodivergent person yourself, this book gives you the tools to think differently — and act with care.
Jo Bervoets is an engineer, cognitive scientist and philosopher, and is on the autism spectrum. After spending decades working in the tech industry, he experienced a mental breakdown that prompted him to return to his early passion: philosophy. He went on to earn a PhD, focusing on autism, neurodiversity, and Tourette’s. Jo currently lectures at Tilburg University and conducts research at the intersection of philosophy of science and ethics.
A new outlook on neurodiversity
For non-professionals and professionals alike
Rights available
DECEMBER 2023
PAPERBACK
170 X 240 MM PAGE EXTENT: 220
RIGHTS SOLD FOR WHAT REALLY WORKS FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM: DANISH, ENGLISH (NORTH AMERICA), SIMPLIFIED CHINESE (WORLD)
WHAT REALLY WORKS FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE HIGHLY ANXIOUS
Wendy
de Pree & Inge Voets
This is a practical guide in which you discover what anxiety can do to children and to you, the ten things these children need the most, and how you can support and guide them in these needs. The book offers concrete tools and simple strategies, so that as a (grand)parent, teacher, therapist, or counsellor, you can find out what really helps the child to be more (self-)confident in life.
The child’s relationship with the adult is the main focus, because children learn primarily by imitation and experience. By investing in the connection, tranquility and your own relationship with fear, the child will feel free to face its own fears. It can then move forward towards a meaningful life, with its fear under control.
What Really Works aims to support parents, teachers, therapists… in addressing socio-emotional issues and challenges with children. Each guide: – starts from a clear description of the issue or challenge (e.g. ADHD, AUTISM, being highly gifted or very anxious), – identifies the 10 most important needs of a child with this challenge, – shows you how to recognize these needs in behavior, – and offers concrete tools and strategies for dealing with these challenges.
In the same series:
SURVIVAL GUIDE
What if you’ve lost someone?
Lies Scaut & Michèle Vanparys
Has someone you loved passed away? Is there a lot of sadness around you? Do you sometimes feel sad or even really angry? Then this book might be able to help you!
This activity book explains in a playful way what grief is, how to recognize it and which tips and tricks can assist you in the process. It can be used very widely and provides the necessary language and tools to talk about loss. As a result, children will learn to feel okay again, cope with everyday challenges and come to terms with the immense grief of losing a loved one.
The survival guides are activity books that support children dealing with difficult emotional problems or challenges. These guides explain the issue in a clear way and offer tips and tricks to use at school and at home. With these activity books children get more insight in their own strengths, and they learn to understand their difficulties and how to deal with them.
MARCH 2024
RING-BOUND PAPERBACK 153 X 230 MM PAGE EXTENT: 144
In the same series:
W h AT iF soMe T hiNG TRAUMAT iZiNG h APPeNs To yoU?
W h AT iF yoU h Ave A LoT oF s TRess?
W h AT iF yoU ARe hiGhLy seNsi T ive ?
W h AT iF yoU ARe GiFT ed ?
W h AT iF yoU ARe bULL ied ?
W h AT iF yoU h Ave A GAMiNG PRobL eM?
W h AT iF yoU h Ave Fe AR oF FA iLURe ?
W h AT iF yoU h Ave A dhd ?
W h AT iF yoU h Ave dysL e X i A?
W h AT iF yoU h Ave AUT isM?
JANUARY 2022
PAPERBACK
140 X 215 MM
PAGE EXTENT: 272
RIGHTS SOLD: ARABIC, BULGARIAN, COMPLEX CHINESE (WORLD), ENGLISH, ESTONIAN, FRENCH, GERMAN, HEBREW, HUNGARIAN, ITALIAN, JAPANESE, KOREAN, LITHUANIAN, NORWEGIAN, PORTUGUESE (NORTH & SOUTH AMERICA), RUSSIAN, SLOVENIAN, SPANISH, SWEDISH, TURKISH
• Sold in 20 languages
• New book announced for 2026!
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF TOTALITARIANISM
Mattias Desmet
In The Psychology of Totalitarianism, world-renowned Professor of Clinical Psychology Mattias Desmet deconstructs the societal conditions that allow this collective psychosis to take hold. By looking at our current situation and identifying the phenomenon of ‘mass formation’ a type of collective hypnosis he clearly illustrates how close we are to surrendering to totalitarian regimes.
With detailed analyses, examples, and results from years of research, Desmet lays out the steps that lead toward mass formation.
In addition to clear psychological analysis and building on Hannah Arendt’s essential work on totalitarianism, The Origins of Totalitarianism, Desmet offers a sharp critique of the cultural ‘groupthink’ that existed prior to the pandemic and advanced during the COVID crisis. He cautions against the dangers of our current societal landscape, media consumption, and reliance on manipulative technologies and then offers simple solutions both individual and collective to prevent the willing sacrifice of our freedoms.
Mattias Desmet is a professor of clinical psychology at Ghent University. He also runs a psychoanalytic practice and is the author of books such as The Pursuit of Objectivity in Psychology and Lacan’s Logic of Subjectivity
“Mattias desmet’s theory of mass formation is the most important lens through which we can understand the Covid -19 pandemic and the social aberrations that accompanied it. in The Psychology of Totalitarianism, desmet explains how and why people will willingly give up their freedom, how the masses can give rise to a totalitarian leader, and – most importantly – how we can resist these phenomena and maintain our common humanity. This is the most important book of 2022.”
– Dr. Robert Malone, author of Lies My Gov’t Told Me
US, ROMANIES
Margot Vanderstraeten
Everyone has an opinion about the Romanies. But few truly know them.
Us, Romanies cracks open the door to this often closed-off and excluded community through more than a hundred personal encounters — some brief, others more in-depth. What we discover is at times heartbreaking, shocking, and painful; at other times, it is disarming, hopeful, joyful, and even humorous.
What we always find is a mirror.
Margot Vanderstraeten is a writer and journalist. Of her ten books, Mazzel Tov became an international success. It offers a rare glimpse into the everyday life of the — otherwise very closed — Orthodox Jewish community. In Belgium and the Netherlands alone, it sold over 65,000 copies.
• A revealing, moving and fast-paced read
• Margot’s previous books, Mazzel Tov and Minjan, sold in multiple languages, including Hungarian, Polish, Czech and Brazilian-Portuguese
• Rights available
• A rich and riveting literary journey through 20th-century Paris
• Rights available
• The majestic portrait of a city struggling with its past
• Rights available
PASSAGE THROUGH PARIS
Dirk Leyman
Passage Through Paris is an essential book for every lover of the City of Light, where sharp anecdotes and vivid storytelling capture the timeless allure of Paris.
Dirk Leyman — literary journalist, interviewer and author — brings countless literary locations magically to life, coaxing their hidden stories into the open. He guides you through the Paris of legendary French and international writers, philosophers, and cult figures— from Charles Baudelaire to Michel Houellebecq, from Françoise Sagan to Georges Perec, from Jean Rhys to Guy Debord. How lonely was the young Paul Auster in 1970s Paris? In which luxury hotel did George Orwell wash dishes as a plongeur? And how much scorn did Marguerite Yourcenar endure as the first woman admitted to the Académie française?
BERLIN: LIFE IN A DIVIDED CITY
Piet de Moor
By drawing on diaries, novels, eyewitness accounts, and conversations with historians, politicians, writers, and journalists, Piet de Moor – journalist, author and citizen of Berlin since 15 years ago – traces the history of Berlin since 1919: the founding of the Weimar Republic, rampant inflation, Hitler’s rise to power, the Cold War, the construction and fall of the Berlin Wall, German reunification, and the resulting tensions between East and West Germany.
1942
Herman Van Goethem
In 2019, Herman Van Goethem — historian, legal scholar, and former rector of the University of Antwerp — published his acclaimed and widely discussed bestseller about the year 1942. In a gripping diary-style analysis, he brings wa rtime Antwerp to life, focusing on the persecution of the Jews. Central to the book is the international context: a deafening silence and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the war. The release of key archival materials — such as the wartime journals of Prime Minister Hubert Pierlot — led the author to thoroughly revise and expand his original work.
• Rights available
THE HELL OF AZOVSTAL
Joanie de Rijke & Jasper Christiaens
In The Hell of Azovstal, journalist Joanie de Rijke and director Jasper Christiaens share the harrowing accounts of Mariupol residents, soldiers, aid workers, and members of the Ukrainian intelligence service. They speak of hunger, fear, betrayal — and of solidarity and hope. The book also sheds light on what happened to the thousands of soldiers taken prisoner by the Russians. Some have since been released, many remain in captivity.
Through deeply personal testimonies, The Hell of Azovstal offers an unflinching look at one of the most dramatic episodes of the war in Ukraine.
• Rights available
NOVEMBER 2024
HARDCOVER
250 X 330 MM
PAGE EXTENT: 284
• Filled with rich photographs from international decors
• Luxurious linen finish
• Rights available
GRAND INTERIORS
Geoffroy Van Hulle
Grand Interiors is a captivating ‘grand tour’ through the magnificent interiors of Belgian decorator Geoffroy Van Hulle. From Knokke to New York, he offers a glimpse into exuberant private residences, where he boldly blends colour, pattern, and exotic influences. “In none of my interiors is the distance to a bookcase, fireplace or bar cabinet more than five steps,” he says. With the bravado of his design heroes Cecil Beaton and David Hicks, Van Hulle creates dazzling backdrops for the theatre of everyday life.
Geoffroy Van Hulle is a decorator whose interiors can be found all over the world, from Paris and Amsterdam to New York. His style is maximalist and cosmopolitan. Everything he does is guided by intuition. A sense of beauty. A sense of harmony. A sense of grandeur. As he puts it himself: “Pure simplicity is a very complicated matter.”
CHINA’S NEXT MIRACLE
Pascal Coppens
China’s Next Miracle shows how China is rewriting the rules of global business. Through a sharp analysis of China’s technological innovations, production models, and market dynamics, Coppens explains how companies must adapt to a new reality — one in which China is not just competing, but often leading.
He reveals how China’s pragmatic, goal-driven strategies — from production ecosystems to customerfocused innovation — are challenging traditional business models.
With 100 concrete tips for entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders, Coppens offers a strategic guide to seizing the opportunities and managing the risks of China’s rise. This book is an essential resource for anyone seeking to understand and navigate a world increasingly shaped by China’s leadership.
• An essential guide for business leaders to help navigate the history and future of China’s innovation strategy
• Full English manuscript available
• Rights available
Pascal Coppens is a sinologist and tech entrepreneur who lived in China for nearly twenty years. Since 1988, he has witnessed the country’s transformation and the evolution of its people up close. He is the author of China’s New Normal (2019) and Can We Trust China? (2022), in which he unpacks China’s innovation power and ongoing transformation.
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THE VIRTUAL ECONOMY
Jeremy Denisty & Dado Van Peteghem
Leveraging the potential of virtual economy to serve the next generation of customers, communities and citizens.
LEADERSHIP UNRAVELED
Stefan Lameire, Lucia Soetens, Jille Tabak
Your comprehensive guide in enhancing your leadership skills, while embracing the challenges of diversity.
LEAD LIKE A COACH
Paul Van Den Bosch
Top sports coach Paul shows you how to apply the crucial factors that determine sports performance to achieve business objectives and transform organizations.
• Universal topics, including leadership and technology
• Full English manuscripts available
• Expert voices in their fields
SCALE VERSUS SOUL
Jeremy Denisty & Dado Van Peteghem
Find out what truly sets us apart from machines, and how we can build organizations that SCALE without losing SOUL. Time to market with feeling!
DISCOVER YOUR PIVOT
Julie Brown
Polar expeditioner Julie shares universal strategies that transcend adventure to achieve any grand goal, both personally and professionally.
ACCEPTABLE AI
Tom Braekeleirs
Starting from the context of healthcare – one of the most regulated and humane sectors – innovation leader Tom explores the seven dimensions of acceptable AI.