The Brothers Zzli

Written by Alex Cousseau

Illustrated by Anne-Lise Boutin

Translated by Vineet Lal

SPECS

• ISBN 978-0-8028-5609-8

• $17.99 / CAN $23.99

• Ages 6–10

• Picture book

• 40 pages

Rights

• Hardcover, unjacketed

• Full-color illustrations throughout

• Trim size: 8.25” x 11”

• BISAC Code: JUV039250

USA and Canada English rights; unenhanced eBook rights; all other rights Editions Les Fourmis Rouges & Hannele & Associates

Translated from French

DESCRIPTION

A moving allegory of immigration and hospitality.

One day, the brothers Zzli arrive on the doorstep of a girl named Welcome. Welcome has plenty of room in her house, and the travelers—who have come from far away—make good pancakes and even better company. But others in the forest find this new family strange. Welcome’s friend the bat is the only one who visits anymore. Then a police officer knocks on their door, threatening to destroy the brothers’ beloved beehives. Maybe Welcome and her friends need to find someplace that might accept three bears, a bat, and a girl like her: somewhere to call home at last.

With charming illustrations reminiscent of children’s classics, The Brothers Zzli invites readers to join a bear family’s search for belonging and understanding. This poignant story will spark lasting conversations about the impact of prejudice, the struggles of refugees, and the responsibility we have to our neighbors— especially the new ones.

KEYWORDS: Bears, Immigration, Refugees, Neighbors, Hospitality, Social Issues

AUTHOR

Alex Cousseau has published over eighty books for children in his native France. His works have been honored with many awards, including the Premio Andersen Prize in 2021 and the Bologna Ragazzi Fiction Award in 2018.

The Brothers Zzli is Alex’s English-language debut. Visit his website at alexcousseau.wordpress.com.

Illustrator

Anne-Lise Boutin is a French artist and illustrator whose work is inspired by the mysterious and marvelous. She studied art at the École Duperré and the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs, both in Paris. The Brothers Zzli is Anne-Lise’s Englishlanguage debut. Follow her on Instagram @anneliseboutin.

Translator

Vineet Lal is a literary translator of books from French to English, including A Perfect Spot and A Head Full of Birds (both Eerdmans). He studied French at Princeton University and the University of Edinburgh. Vineet lives in Scotland. Follow him on Twitter @vineet_uk.