Book Island Autumn 2021
Illustration from ‘This Is a Dictatorship’ by Mikel Casal (pp. 6-7)
About picture book 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, while we also create our own titles. 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
JU N E Age: 2+ Size: 360 x 290mm Format: hardback Extent: 32pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-1-911496-13-7 Price: £14.99 Translator: Sarah Ardizzone
Next year, Pom will be starting school. But a year’s too long to wait when you’re excited. Today, Pom has decided to visit some friends by dropping in on the different animal schools. At Little Leapers, the rabbits are learning how to read, write and count. At Bulrushes, the frogs are creating beautiful artwork. At F is for Foxtrot, the foxes are exercising and playing different sports… What if Pom’s dream school was a little bit of all that? ONE THING’S FOR SURE: SCHOOL IS AN AMAZING ADVENTURE!
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LARGE EDITION Created by Marianne Dubuc
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Ready, Steady, School!
SE EM PT BE
What happens to a country when one person makes all the rules? What would it feel like to live in such a place? And why is it important for us to know about? This non-fiction picture book, first written in Spain soon after the end of the Franco dictatorship, set out to explain dictatorship to the next generation. The authors believed, as the Spanish publishers of this book put it, that “Children are interested in everything adults are interested in. You must explain things to them, even if it requires effort.” Forty years later, reillustrated with stunning images by Mikel Casal (who himself grew up under Franco’s regime), its message remains as timely as ever. A brilliant introduction to the need for democracy, for readers of all ages, translated by Lawrence Schimel
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Age: 7+ Size: 215 x 185mm Format: hardback Extent: 48pp BIC: YNH ISBN: 978-1-911496-20-5 Price: £10.99 Translator: Lawrence Schimel
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Written by Equipo Plantel Illustrated by Mikel Casal
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This Is a Dictatorship
The Bird Within Me Created by Sara Lundberg Pub date: March 2020 Afterword by Alexandra Sundqvist Age: 8+ Size: 210 x 170mm Format: hardback Extent: 128pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-1-911496-15-1 Price: £12.99 Rights:978-1-911496-15-1 all territories ISBN Translator: B.J. Epstein
9 781911 496151 What do you do when your family expects you to be someone you can never be? Berta is an artistic soul growing up on a farm in Sweden at the beginning of the 20th century. Her father doesn’t understand her and her mother is dying.
Based on the life of artist Berta Hansson, this is a universal story of longing and imagination, the perfect refrain for a young rebel.
Co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme 9 Union of the European
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Co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union
The Garden of Inside-Outside Written by Chiara Mezzalama Illustrated by Régis Lejonc
Pub date: April 2020 Age: 9+ Size: 330 x 210mm Format: hardback Extent: 32pp BIC: YFW ISBN: 978-1-911496-16-8 Price: £12.99 Translator: Sarah Ardizzone ISBN 978-1-911496-16-8 Rights: all territories
9 781911 496168 Inspired by the childhood of the author, whose father was appointed Italian ambassador to Tehran in 1980, this picture book is a beautiful evocation of a country struck by war, where friendship arises despite the rising walls. In the summer of 1981, Chiara and her family join their father in Iran. At their beautiful palace, there is an inside and an outside, separated by a wall. Inside, there is a wild garden where princes and princesses used to walk. Outside, in the black city, there are soldiers with heavy boots, big beards and bombs. One day, a boy from outside climbs the wall into the garden...
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Mum’s Jumper Created by Jayde Perkin
Age: 4+ Size: 280 x 210mm Format: hardback Extent: 32pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-1-911496-13-7 Price: £12.99 Rights: all territories
If Mum has gone, how do you carry on? Missing her feels like a dark cloud that follows you around, or like swimming to a shore that never comes any nearer. But memories are like a jumper that you can cuddle and wear. And Mum’s Jumper might be a way to keep her close. A simple, heartfelt and ultimately uplifting book for anyone coping with loss
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The Golden Cage Written by Anna Castagnoli Illustrated by Carll Cneut
Age: 4+ Size: 340 x 260mm Format: hardback Extent: 56pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-1-911496-14-4 Price: £17.99 Rights: all territories Translation: Laura Watkinson
Valentina the emperor’s daughter is an obsessive collector of exotic birds. Her servants track down every bird she desires - just one remains unfound: a bird that talks. Servants search far and wide to fulfill her impossible quest - and she beheads those who fail. In Valentina’s palace, heads roll every day! Will the golden cage ever be filled? A deliciously dark European fairy tale with words as rich as its bold and luxurious illustrations Co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union
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Our backlist…
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Witchfairy Written by Brigitte Minne Illustrated by Carll Cneut
Age: 4+ Size: 300 x 235mm Format: hardback Extent: 48pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-1-911496-07-6 Price: £12.99 Rights: all territories Translator: Laura Watkinson
Rosemary is bored of being a fairy. She’d much rather be a witch. Much to the disapproval of her mother she takes off to spend time with the witches in the dark wood. Rosemary thoroughly enjoys her new life as a witch but eventually decides to take the best of both worlds and becomes a witchfairy. A stunning picture book about growing up and finding your own place in the world
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One House for All A tale by Inese Zandere Illustrated by Juris Petraškevičs
Age: 4+ Size: 280 x 210mm Format: hardback Extent: 32pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-1-911496-06-9 Price: £11.99 Rights: all territories Adaptation: Lawrence Schimel
Raven, Crayfish and Horse have always been best friends. They’re grown up now and would like to start a family. They want all their families to live together and start planning to build a house. But what should that house look like? Will they find a solution that works for all of them? A universal story about compromise and collaboration for young readers
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Mr Postmouse Goes on Holiday Written and illustrated by Marianne Dubuc Age: 3+ Size: 305 x 245mm Format: hardback Extent: 32pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-1-911496-04-5 Price: £11.99 Rights: all territories (excl. India) 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.
“Every interior Mr Postmouse 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.” – Nicolette Jones of The Sunday Times 20
It’s My Pond Written and illustrated by Claire Garralon Age: 2+ Size: 230 x 211mm Format: hardback Extent: 36pp 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
“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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Here Comes Mr Postmouse Written and illustrated by Marianne Dubuc Age: 3+ Size: 305 x 245mm Format: Hardback Extent: 32pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-0-9941282-0-1 Price: £11.99 Rights: all territories (excl. India) Translator: Greet Pauwelijn
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. You’ll find something new amongst the fun and colourful illustrations each time you help our mouse-hero make his deliveries.
“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!” — Readings - International Bookstore of the Year 2016
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The Umbrella By Ingrid & Dieter Schubert Age: 3+ Size: 295 x 240mm Format: hardback Extent: 40pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-0-9941098-5-9 Price: £10.99 Rights: UK & Eire only
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 ... A wonderful wordless picture book that tells a thousand stories
“Yet again Book Island has identified an imaginative European treasure!” — Eileen Battersby in the Irish Times
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Fox & Goldfish Written and illustrated by Nils Pieters Age: 3+ Size: 297 x 210mm Format: Hardback Extent: 32pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-0-9941282-1-8 Price: £10.99 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.
“In this succinct and memorable book, many things are said in almost no words at all.” – Iona McLaren in The Daily Telegraph 24
Maia and What Matters Written by Tine Mortier Illustrated by Kaatje Vermeire Age: 6+ Size: 330 x 227mm Format: Hardback Extent: 32pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-0-9876696-6-7 Price: £11.99 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
“A stunning and unusual book exploring friendship across the generations, illness and ageing.” – Zoe Toft from Playing by the Book 25
The Big Question Written by Leen van den Berg Illustrated by Kaatje Vermeire Age: 6+ Size: 330 x 227mm Format: Hardback Extent: 32pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-0-9941098-4-2 Price: £11.99 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
“Sophisticated both in appearance and content The Big Question will have you pondering the bigger things in life.” – The Illustrated Forest 26
Azizi and the Little Blue Bird Written by Laïla Koubaa Illustrated by Mattias De Leeuw Age: 5+ Size: 330 x 227mm Format: Hardback Extent: 32pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-0-9941098-6-6 Price: £11.99 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.” – Nicolette Jones in The Sunday Times 27
Sammy and the Skyscraper Sandwich Written by Lorraine Francis Illustrated by Pieter Gaudesaboos 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 28
Mr Miniscule and the Whale Written by Julian Tuwim Illustrated by Bohdan Butenko Age: 3+ Size: 190 x 300mm Format: Paperback Extent: 24pp BIC: YBCS ISBN: 978-0-9876696-9-8 Price: £7.99 (pb) - £10.99 (hb) Rights: all territories Translator: Antonia Lloyd-Jones
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 29
Bernie & Flora Written and illustrated by Annemie Berebrouckx 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!
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Sir Mouse to the Rescue Written by Dirk Nielandt Illustrated by Marjolein Pottie Age: 6+ Size: 245 x 165mm Format: Hardback Extent: 52 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 Written and illustrated by Bernardo Carvalho 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? 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. Two wonderfull wordless books in one. Great fun!
“A clever, wordless picture book that can be read in both directions, with beautiful bright and colourful illustrations.” – Ruth Grindley of the Scottish Book Trust
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The Rabbit and the Shadow Written and illustrated by Mélanie Rutten 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
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. Over the course of ten short chapters they grow up, learn how to live together and to deal with their fears. A book for a whole family, and for many, many years
“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.” – Outside in World
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Book Island is distributed by
Central Books Freshwater Rd Dagenham RM8 1RX United Kingdom T: +44 (0)20 8525 8800 orders@centralbooks.com
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