Bรณkabeitan ICELAND 2016-2017
Bókabeitan
Bókabeitan is a progressive publishing house, founded by Marta Hlín Magnadóttir and Birgitta Elín Hassell who both have a degree in education, with an emphasis on the Icelandic language. Our goal is promoting reading for children, teens and young adults (ages 2-18) by publishing quality books for those ages. We believe that the key to engage children and teens in reading is to offer a wide variety of books for them to choose from. This is why Bókabeitan was
Birgitta Elín Hassell
founded in 2011. In 2013 Bókabeitan created two labels – Töfraland and Björt. Töfraland focuses solely on books for 0-6 years old and Björt on books for older teens and young adults. Our books have been nominated for a number of prizes, not least of them the Nordic Children’s Literature Prize for Vinur minn, vindurinn (My friend, the wind) by Bergrún Íris Sævarsdóttir in 2015 and Koparborgin (The City of Bronze) by Ragnhildur Hólmgeirsdóttir in 2016.
Marta Hlín Magnadóttir
Úlfur and Edda: The Relic by Kristín Ragna Gunnarsdóttir
Úlfur and Edda:
An ancient relic is stolen from Edda’s grandmother and the stepsiblings Wolf
The Relic was nominated
and Edda are determined to retrieve it. They find an underground passage in
for Fjöruverðlaunin,
Skálholt that leads them on a dangerous adventure in an unexpected place.
the Women’s Literature
In her unique way Kristín Ragna has brought children of the present into the
Prize in 2017.
past of gods and goddesses, monsters and tricksters. Wolf and Edda must find their way home through the domain of the Norse gods. Along the way they battle extreme egos, solve a mystery and learn the true meaning of family. Kristín Ragna Gunnarsdóttir is an Icelandic author, illustrator and graphic designer. She has a master’s degree in creative writing and has illustrated innumerable children’s books and received the Icelandic Illustrator’s Award twice, in 2008 and 2011, and a nomination for the Icelandic Literature Prize in 2008. Her illustrations to the ancient, Icelandic poem Hávamál secured her a place on the IBBY honorary list in 2014 and pictures from that book were chosen for the exhibition Into the Wind! that opened on May 25 in Berlin and is due for the Nordic House in Reykjavík this fall. Kristín is currently writing her sixth
· Czech rights sold to Barrister & Principal
children’s book. Last year, IBBY in Iceland rewarded her for her continuing
· English sample translation available. Kristín Ragna Gunnarsdóttir
work in the field of children’s culture.
The End, part 1 This is the 8th and next to last book of the Rökkurhæðir series. Hallgerdur Evudóttir moves to Grandma in Misty Heights. She soon realizes that there is something very wrong and she’s certain that some of the inhabitants would be better suited for a horror movie than reality. When she discovers a mysterious sect that calls itself The Guardians, she’s sure that she’s found the root of evil in the small town. The unrest in Misty Heights is escalating and a showdown seems to be imminent. The first seven books are standalones. Yet all the stories are interconnected, located in the same small neighborhood of Misty Heights. Except for a few youngsters from Sunnyvale, the main characters all attend the local high school, their siblings attend the local elementary school and kindergarten, and their parents work in town–at the kindergarten, coffee shop, post office. The main character of one book may appear as a minor character in other books. As the stories all take place during the same time frame, an event in one book may appear in another book from the another character’s viewpoint. Each book can be read alone, but the big picture emerges when it is read as a piece of a larger puzzle.
Books 1-4 available in German, English sample available for Book 3
Doddi: A True Story by Hildur Knútsdóttir and Þórdís Gísladóttir
Doddi – A True Story is a refreshing, exciting and extremely funny book for teens by the much awarded authors Hildur Knútsdóttir and Þórdís Gísladóttir. This is their first collaboration. To the readers of this book. It can be difficult to find interesting books for teens. Some are way too thick, others too fantastic or they take place in prehistoric times. This book is definitely NOT like that! It’s about my life. I am fourteen years old and have two hobbies/interests; insects and women. My best friend Pawel also has two interests; The European Union and math (I know, right?!). This books tells of some very exciting events in my life. Among them a trip abroad, a Halloween party, insects and centipedes, my mums Tinder experiments, illegal business with a convicted felon and Iceland’s most beautiful girl. - Doddi (soon to be a world famous insectologist) Þórdís Gísladóttir is known for her children’s stories about Randalin and Mundi and her poetry has also been well received. In 2010 Þórdís Gísladóttir received the Tómas Guðmundsson Award for her first poetry work
Doddi: A True Story
Leyndarmál annarra (“Secrets of Others”). Her second book of Poetry, “Velúr”
was nominated for the Icelandic literature prize
(2014) and her children’s book Randalín, Mundi og afturgöngurnar (2015)
and Fjöruverðlaunin, the Women‘s Literature Prize in 2016
were nominated for the Icelandic literature prize.
and for the Reykjavík Children‘s Literature Prize in 2017. · English sample translation available.
Hildur Knútsdóttir is born and raised in Reykjavík, Iceland. She has a BA in literature and creative writing from the University of Iceland. Hildur writes
for children and adults alike. Her first novel, Sláttur, was published in 2011. Hildur was awarded Fjöruverðlaunin, the Women’s Literature Prize for Vetrarfrí, and was runner-up in the Icelandic Bookseller awards. Vetrarfrí was nominated for the Icelandic Literary Prize and Reykjavik Children’s Literature Prize. Elín Elísabet is a Reykjavík based illustrator and artist from a small town in the West of Iceland. A recent graduate from the Reykjavík School of Visual Arts, Elín has worked on all sorts of freelance projects, including an illustrated map of her hometown, editorials, magazine covers, portraits and postcards, as Hildur Knútsdóttir
Þórdís Gísladóttir
Elín Elísabet
well as publishing her own book of illustrations. Doddi - Bók sannleikans! is Elín’s first time illustrating a novel.
The Light Series
Granny and the hidden people by J.K. Kolsöe
Granny does what she feels like, when she feels like it and doesn’t worry about what other people think. Fanney Þóra loves spending time with Granny as you never know what might happen. Granny and the hidden people in Hveragerði by J.K. Kolsöe In this second book Granny and Fanney Thora go see granny’s friend in Hveragerði. On Midsummer night’s eve Fanney Þóra finds a magic rock that enables her to travel to the land of the hidden people. Over there everything is in uproar because Blæheiður, the queen of the elves has been kidnapped by a terrible ogre. Granny and Fanney Thora need their wits about them to get out of this one. Bergrún Íris Sævarsdóttir illustrated.
Icelandic folklore and great grandparents! Grandpa and the two ogresses by J.K. Kolsöe
Grandpa is not only extremely strong but also extremely resourceful. Magnis parents are always very busy and when grandpa invites him on a road trip in the old Bedford he jumps at the chance to have fun with grandpa. In Þrengslin a storm breaks out with such noise and lights that it wakes two ogre sisters that have been sleeping for the last millennia. And newly
Previously in the LightSeries we have Granny and the Trolls in Trölladyngja and Funi and Hidden Hilda (Funi og Alda falda).
woken ogresses are hungry and love nothing more than tender little boys for breakfast. It’s just as well that Grandpa knows a thing or two about ogres. Grandpa the mighty is a new character from Jenný or J.K. Kolsöe. Just like Granny, Grandpa the mighty deals with being from the Icelandic folklore with humour and cleverness. Bergrún Íris Sævarsdóttir illustrated.
J. K. Kolsöe.
The Shopping Trip by Bergrún Íris Sævarsdóttir and Ósk Ólafsdóttir When your imagination gets a free rein, anything can happen! Alex and Arrow head to the store to buy milk for the birthday party. On their way, they encounter all kinds of obstacles; towering mountains and a challenging maze, beasts of the jungle, giants and other strange creatures. An ordinary trip to the store becomes an exciting adventure in this beautiful and charming book. Blær is a gender neutral name and so is Alex. Readers of all sexes should be able to identify with Jessie and the book gives great opportunities to discuss imagination, adventures and gender.
Let’s fix my car by Bergrún Íris Sævarsdóttir
Let’s fix my car is so much more than a book. The reader starts by choosing one of the three cars that are nestled in slots on the cover of the book along with Mega the Mechanic who can’t wait to join the fun. The book is folded like a harmonica and when opened becomes a long board with both a story and activities. On one side the reader is asked to help Mega the Mechanic fix the car by finding all sorts of tools. The other side of the book is a road that winds through a beautiful countryside. The driver must watch out for pedestrians and of course mind the traffic rules. Let’s fix my car is so much more than a book and an endless source of learning and fun! Bergrún Íris follows the success of her previous books with a brand new title that is sure to delight kids of all ages.
Bergrún Íris is an illustrator, journalist and author. She has illustrated over 25 children’s books and has been awarded for her books as both author and illustrator. She resides by the sea in Hafnarfjörður near Reykjavík, Iceland with her husband, two young sons and a three legged cat. Her first book as both an author and illustrator, Vinur minn, vindurinn (My friend, the wind) was nominated for both the Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize 2015 and Fjöruverðlaunin 2015, the Icelandic Women’s Literature Prize.
Bergrún Íris Sævarsdóttir
Ósk Ólafsdóttir
Ósk is an author who loves fairy tales and fantasy. She has a particular interest in the boundless imagination of children, and conversations with her daughters are her favorite source for inspiration. She has degrees in computer science and software engineering and is never happier than when creative thought and logic can be combined.
Do you ever feel too lazy to lift a finger? Is it possible that your Pookies are troubling you? Storm is having problems with his Pookies but luckily dad has an answer!
The Pookies
by Sigurlaug H.S. Traustadóttir and Lára Garðarsdóttir The Pookies are small beings that live within us. They represent feelings and issues that children (and adults) have to deal with. The problem is stated in a way that is easy for the child to understand but at the same time the problem is not the child, it’s the child’s Pookies that she/he can deal with herself/
Sigurlaug H.S. Traustadóttir
himself. Throughout the books are discussion questions that help to open up for a dialog between the guardian and the child about the Pookies and the feelings they represent. Sigurlaug has a master’s degree in social work and in the books about The Pookies she uses her experience of working with children, teenagers and their parents to boost social- and emotional growth. Lára brings The Pookies, and other characters of the book, to life in her unique way. She is an Illustrator and an Animator and has broad experience in the fields of visual media.
Lára Garðarsdóttir
Do you ever feel too shy to express yourself as you would like? Is it possible that your Pookies are troubling you? Haley is having problems with her Pookies but luckily mom has an answer!
The City of Copper by Ragnhildur Hólmgeirsdóttir In a faraway country there is a city where the palaces are surrounded by vast gardens and the harbour is full of ancient ships … but the palaces are empty and the ships are abandoned. The ambiguous, yet carefully constructed setting of Koparborgin (e. City of Bronze) resembles an Italian city of the Renaissance. The fshermen live in huts and boats on the lagoon beyond
Ragnhildur Hólmgeirsdóttir
the walls, but above the village is another and even more mysterious city where the ominous authorities dwell. When the plague sets on the village, the people of the city set fre to the vil-
Nominated for the Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Price in 2016
lage, killing all survivors of the plague. Young Pietro barely manages to escape with his life but is visited by a witch in his dreams who cures him and assigns him a task that is more forbidding
Nominated for the Icelandic Women’s Literature Price in 2015
than the plague. In the almost deserted city Pietro is offered sanctuary at the Exchange House, which has been occupied solely by children for the past three centuries, but when they come
Awarded the Best Children’s Book 2015 by the Booksellers association
under threat they must embark on a journey through a world marked by witchcraft, danger, and death in the citadel. This debut novel is a smart, exhilarating, and riveting tale for fans of fantasy fiction of all ages. Critics have praised this juicy, and at times dark, story that despite everything has a fairly good
***** “The Best book for Teens this year, by far!” ÁM, Morgunbladid 2015. Danish translation available
ending.
And again, she dies by Ása Marin Our only book for adults this year is by Asa Marin, the author whose debut novel, The Path of the Wind, buen camino, was published in 2015 and was well received by critics and readers alike. „Seven weeks ago to the day Þórkatla stood in this very same spot and stared down into the open ground. She received hugs and words of comfort without taking them in. She muttered „thank you“ without really meaning it. She glared into the open ground, fixated on the closed coffin which contained the life she once knew. “ Alda has passed away. Her death looks like suicide but those closest to her have difficulty believing she was capable of ever taking her own life. The story weaves together the lives of those people most affected by her death; each of them viewing both her life and her death from a different perspective. And again, she dies is an artfully crafted piece of work with shades of both light and dark.
Ása Marin Critique for The Path of the Wind, buen camino: „...very well written, light and fun but with a serious undertone. “
Our backlist By Birgitta Hassell and Marta Magnadottir Misty Heights 1: The Ruins German rights sold to Arena Verlag Misty Heights 2: Dusky Lane German rights sold to Arena Verlag Misty Heights 3: Christopher German rights sold to Arena Verlag Misty Heights 4: Unrest German rights sold to Arena Verlag Misty Heights 5: The Gift Misty Heights 6: The Watchman Misty Heights 7: The Event
By J.K. Kolsöe Grand Granny and the Trolls in Trölladyngja
By Bergrún Íris Simplified Chinese rights sold
My Friend the Wind
Nominated for the Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Price in 2015.
Simplified Chinese rights sold Simplified Chinese rights sold
Here comes summer! Building Bridges
By Hilmar Örn Óskarsson Hilmar Örn Óskarsson is an imaginative writer with a great sense of humor. Another characteristic of his books is his ability to play with words. His action packed stories about the 11-year old Icelandic heroine Camille and her four fantastic friends all take place in known places in Iceland. These five friends repeatedly get themselves into problems. The books are illustrated in black and white by the talented Erla María Árnadóttir. Camille Windmill and the Adults Camille Windmill and the Boredom Camille Windmill and the Frauds Camille Windmill and the Teens Funi and Hilda the Hidden
By Ása Marin The Path of the Wind
By Eva Einarsdóttir and Lóa Hjálmtýsdóttir Saga in the Night
Nominated for the Best children’s book 2013
By Þröstur Jóhannesson Joe’s Story
Bókabeitan publishes titles from leading publishers world wide such as
Usborne · Scholastic · Gyldendal Loewe Harper Collins · Bonnier
Bókabeitan ehf. · Fákafen 9 · 108 Reykjavík · Iceland Tel: +354 5886609 · E: bokabeitan@bokabeitan.is · www.bokabeitan.is