Rights Catalogue
Rights Catalogue Dear Publishers, dear Editors, dear Agents, Takatuka publishing house was founded in 2008, and we are proud of our program of books for children and young people, illustrated books and novels that we have published since. We publish books on subjects that children and adolescents find in their everyday lives, books in which they recognize themselves and their problems, books that help them to work out their issues, books that are fun and full of imagination. We publish books that broaden our readers’ horizons; with beautiful and suggestive illustrations that tell more than just the words. We hold translation rights for all titles mentioned in this catalogue. If you are interested in any of these books, we would be delighted to send you a reading copy or a pdf. You can find more information at www.takatuka.cat. Please do not hesitate to contact us. Best regards Patric de San Pedro patric@takatuka.cat
Patricia Hansel patricia@takatuka.cat
TAKATUKA Editorial SL C/Junta de comerç, 18, baixos, 08001 Barcelona www.takatuka.cat 2
Tantrums (Original Spanish title: Rabietas) Written by Susana Gómez Redondo Illustrated by Anna Aparicio Català 36 pages, hardcover, size 21,5 x 26 cm coloured illustration From 4 years on Topics: emotions, habits, moods, dialogue World rights available
Kids tend to have mood swings. Absolute Joy and happiness can turn into an attack of rage and a noisy tantrum, the reason for which is often hard to identify in the middle of the commotion. One minute everything is painted pink, and the next there's tension and the grey clouds roll in and end up unleashing the storm. But storms blow over, and a few words can help dry the tears and turn the frown into the biggest of smiles. Susanna Gómez Redondo (Soria, 1969) has degrees in Journalism, Literary Theory, and Comparative Literature. Currently she teaches Castillian Language Teaching in the University College of Soria, and writes about children's and youth literature in the local press. She is the author of travel guides and short stories and has published 3 illustrated albums and one children's poetry album. Anna Aparicio Català was born in Barcelona in 1991. She has a degree in Fine Arts (Major in Drawing) from the University of Barcelona, and studied illustration and the Escola de la Dona (School of the Woman). She is currenty doing a Master in Youth and Children's Books and Literature at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Autonomous University of Barcelona) Characteristics: The changes in color serve to illustrate the different moods that kids go through when they get angry or make up with some one. Reconciliation comes with communication, which doesn't mean telling the child he/she was right, if he/she wasn't, but rather making him/her understand that yelling doesn't make understanding easier.
TAKATUKA Editorial SL C/Junta de comerç, 18, baixos, 08001 Barcelona www.takatuka.cat 3
The day when Saida arrived (Original Spanish title: El día que Saída llegó) Written by Susana Gómez Redondo Illustrated by Sonja Wimmer 36 pages, hardcover, size 24 x 22 cm coloured illustration From 5 years on Topics: language, school, friendship, imagination, Morocco, Arabic World rights available A tale about a silent encounter: One day, Saida arrives at school - but she doesn't speak! She comes from another country far away, and it seems as if she had lost all her words along the journey. But her friend and she don't give up, even though they lack a common language. They discover new ways of understanding each other, gestures, images and touching. Their story is one about friendship and solidarity and knowing that there are different worlds, worlds that can enrich each other if only you are ready to open your eyes and come near. Susanna Gómez Redondo (Soria, 1969) has degrees in Journalism, Literary Theory and Comparative Literature. Currently she teaches Castillian Language Teaching in the University College of Soria, and writes about children's and youth literature in the local press. She is the author of travel guides and short stories and has published 3 illustrated albums and one children's poetry album. Sonja Wimmer studied graphic design in Munich and illustration in Barcelona, where she works as an illustrator. In 2011 she received the Moonbeam Children's Book Award for the best illustrator and in 2012 the second price of the best picture book of the International Latino Book Awards.
TAKATUKA Editorial SL C/Junta de comerç, 18, baixos, 08001 Barcelona www.takatuka.cat 4
The Itsallgood Turtle (Original Spanish Todovabién)
title:
La
tortuga
Written by David Acera Illustrated by Nanu González 36 pages, hardcover, size 26 x 24 cm coloured illustration From 5 years on Topics: sociability, selfcenteredness, solidarity, turtles, shipwrecked World rights available The Itsallgood Turtle's routine consists of walking around his island each day looking for that delicious fruit that only he can eat: the prickly pear. He doesn't let anyone or anything distract him from his mission, nor does he show any interest at all in lives of the rest of the animals, who invite him to share with them their joy and worries. The arrival and proliferation of some very voracious pigs, who have been unleashed on the island as a food reserve for shipwrecked castaways, will put an end to the calm lives of the animals living on the island. It seems as though only the Itsallgood Turtle will be able to go on with his daily routine. A social fable as real as real life David Acera is an actor, narrator, director and author. He is the founder of La Vereda Teatro and El Perro Flaco Teatro theatre companies. He has participated in more than 50 theatre company openings, and has worked in cinema and television as well, but it is in the field of children's and youth theatre that he has worked the most. Moreover, he is the author of numerous children's stories, and maintains an intense professional dedication in oral narration. Nanu González studies illustration in the Oviedo School of Art. She began her professional activity in 2010 with the Trabe publishing house. As author and illustrator, she published "Circo Alegría" in 2013. She collaborates as a cartoonist in newspapers. Since 2011, she has been in charge of graphic design for the Margen theater company. Characteristics: The textures of Nanu González' illustrations give a classical air that perfectly sets up a story that communicates the importance of taking care of our social ties.
TAKATUKA Editorial SL C/Junta de comerç, 18, baixos, 08001 Barcelona www.takatuka.cat 5
WHITE RAVENS LIST 2013
A bee too much (Original Spanish title: La abeja de más) Written by Andrés Pi Andreu Illustrated by Kim Amate 32 pages, hardcover, size 24 x 28 cm, coloured illustration From 5 years on Topics: community, prejudice, solidarity, bees World rights available
Commotion in the bee hive: every day there is less and less space, the bees are just cramped together. Some of them set out to find out why, and after thorough examination and calcula-tion they declare: There is one bee to much in the hive! But which one is the one too much, how to unmask, where to find her? Every bee just looks like the others! When their search turns out useless, the bees find another, united and finally quite simple solution for their problem. Andrés Pi Andreu, born in Cuba, wanted to be an astronaut, a pianist and a refrigerator-constructor at first; fortunately, he finally decided to become a writer. He was awarded the Premio Nacional de Literatur Infantil and the Premio Nacional de la Crítica de Cuba in 2004; his book “El libro de Claro Carlitos” won the IBBY in 2000. Kim Amate studied illustration, graphic design and painting and worked as a graphic artist and typesetter. Since 2009, he mainly illustrates children’s books. Together with Andrés Pi Andreu he was awarded the “Premio Destino – Apel·les Mestres” for their common work “La ventana infinita”. He lives in Terrassa, Barcelona.
TAKATUKA Editorial SL C/Junta de comerç, 18, baixos, 08001 Barcelona www.takatuka.cat 6
When grandpa was a kid (Original German title: Zu Opas Zeiten) Written and illustrated by Lilli Messina 32 pages, hardcover, size 28 x 19 cm coloured illustration From 3 years on Topics: generations, family, elderly people World rights available, except Brazil When grandpa was a child everything was very different. There weren’t so many houses, milk came directly from the cow, everybody knew each other, and cars were pulled by horses. Pepe follows with great interest his grandpa’s explanations, but he understands them in his very particular way. Lilli Messina was born in 1976 in Offenbach am Main, Germany. There she studied in the High Design and Visual Communication School, specialising in book illustration. She has written and illustrated many books that had been published in more than ten different languages. Her works had been exhibited in the Cartoons Museum A. Paul Weber in Hamburg, in the Klingspormuseum in Offenbach, and in the 9th International Bienal of Illustration in Belgrade. Characteristics: The book deals with humour and tenderness how difficult can be for elderly people to make understand how their world was when they were young, to children that live in a very distant reality.
TAKATUKA Editorial SL C/Junta de comerç, 18, baixos, 08001 Barcelona www.takatuka.cat 7
Grandpa is ... Grandpa! (Original German title: Opa ist Opa!) Written and illustrated by Lilli Messina 28 pages, hardcover, size 24,5 x 22.5 cm coloured illustration From 3 years on Topics: generations, time, family, elderly people World rights available, except Brazil They spoon feed grandpa. Grandpa has a scooter. Grandpa causes a lot of commotion. Pep is sure: Grandpa is a baby! But mom doesn't agree. A book about Pep, his mom, and about old people and little ones. A book about world changes and the crash of two different generations. Lilli Messina was born in 1976 in Offenbach am Main, Germany. There she studied in the High Design and Visual Communication School, specialising in book illustration. She has written and illustrated many books that had been published in more than ten different languages. Her works had been exhibited in the Cartoons Museum A. Paul Weber in Hamburg, in the Klingspormuseum in Offenbach, and in the 9th International Bienal of Illustration in Belgrade. Characteristics: The book addresses the subject of the cycle of life, from start to finish. The informal illustrations and the humor serve to deal with the subject of sickness and getting old in a pleasant way, in order to make the distances between generations comprehensible to boys and girls.
TAKATUKA Editorial SL C/Junta de comerรง, 18, baixos, 08001 Barcelona www.takatuka.cat 8
It it all (Original Spanish title: Cómetelo todo) Written by Mar Benegas Illustrated by Mariona Cabassa 32 pages, hardcover, size 26 x 24 cm coloured illustration From 4 years on Topics: food, habits, obedience, family. World rights available
He has to hear “Eat it all up” for the millionth time, face to face with a big full plate of lentils. All the reasons for not eating are all for nothing: “I don't like them! I'm not hungry! I can't eat anymore!” But on this occasion he decides to do what he's told, and literally eat it ALL up... A story about the eternal battle of eating, and the need to better measure our words, and especially our orders. Mar Benegas Ortiz (Valencia, 1975) is both poet and writer, as well as author of children's books. She coordinates animation workshops of reading and creativity for children and adults. She has directed the República Kukudrulu children's books label as well as the poetry and essays collection Colección Candela. She received the Venezuela Book Bank Award 2014 for the Best Youth Book. Mariona Cabassa (Barcelona, 1977) studied Illustration and Graphic Design at Escuela Massana in Barcelona (Special Award 2000). In 2003 she was awarded by the “Premi Junceda”. In 2005 she was selected to be part of the Bologna exhibition and catalogue “Ilustrísimos”. In 2010 she won with the writer Pep Bruno the 3rd Contest of Illustrated Books of Santiago de Compostela. Currently she alternates her work as an illustrator with teaching at several art and graphic design schools. Characteristics: Kids like to take everything adults say literally and at face value in order to be on the contrary or show them up. Setting the imagination free when confronted with the typical order “Eat it all up!” is a way to address this source of eternal and repeated conflicts with humor and irony. TAKATUKA Editorial SL C/Junta de comerç, 18, baixos, 08001 Barcelona www.takatuka.cat 9
Guims' Spaceship (Original Catalan title: La nau d'en Guim) Written and illustrated by David Granados Niubó 32 pages, hardcover, size 24 x 22 cm coloured illustration From 3 years on Topics: astronauts, space ships, aliens, school, self-confidence, wishes World rights available Guims’ classmates just laugh at him on his old-fashioned scooter while they outrun him on their mountain bikes. But Guim doesn’t care. His fondest dream is to become an astronaut and to discover faraway galaxies. He spends his days drawing planets, stars, Martians, and spaceships. But one morning, his painting from the evening before has disappeared from his desk. And some days later, he discovers something unbelievable... David Granados Niubó studied arts and works as an illustrator for museums, advertising agencies and mainly for publishing houses. He is a co-founder of the studio “Alademosca il·lustració“. “Lucas’ Spaceship” is the first children’s book that he not only illustrated, but also wrote the text for.
TAKATUKA Editorial SL C/Junta de comerç, 18, baixos, 08001 Barcelona www.takatuka.cat 10
Dreamers (Original Catalan title: Somiatruites) Written by Albert Pla Illustrated by Liniers 40 pages, hardcover, size 21 x 21 cm, coloured illustration From 4 years on Topics: school, dreams, wishes, imagination, songs, dreams (come true) World rights available, except Uruguay and Argentina In the middle of the mountains there is a school attended only by children who dream awake. There is Fina who dreams that she can breathe under the sea and she has dolphins, sharks and prawns as friends. There is Joan who dreams that his bed has wings and can fly all night. Even the teacher and the school’s porter dream about a school without walls and classrooms. These are the rhymed lyrics of the song „Dreamers“ by the well-knows singer and song-writer Albert Pla, the central theme of his screen play. “Dreamers” is an invitation to visit a very special kind of school, where pupils and teachers alike live out their imagination and share their ideas and innermost wishes as well as their fears with us. Albert Pla is a well-known song-writer since 1989 and has been awarded several times. His lyrics, often with a child-like undertone, tell about harsh reality in tragically, crazy and humorous ways. Liniers (Ricardo Liniers Siri), born in Buenos Aires, has become internationally famous with the daily comic strip “Macanudo” in the Argentina newspaper La Nación. However, he is not only a cult author in the comic scene, but also a great and fascinating illustrator of children’s books.
TAKATUKA Editorial SL C/Junta de comerç, 18, baixos, 08001 Barcelona www.takatuka.cat 11
Mars, an elephant from outer space (Original Spanish title: Marte, un elefante de otro planeta) Written by Fran Pintadera Illustrated by Javier Gutiérrez Maestro 28 pages, hardcover, size 17 x 17 cm coloured illustration From 3 years on Topics: elephants, memory, friendship, habits World rights available A pink bow around her foot reminds Mars every day of something important that he must not forget. But Mars is a forgetful elephant – he has to visit all her friends hoping that one of them can remember the meaning of the pink bow. They are all happy to see him, invite him to eat, but nobody can tell him of what the bow is supposed to remind Mars. Or maybe it is this precisely: that he should start happily into each new day, having a lot of friends to visit. An affectionate story on memory, friendship and the meaning of life. Fran Pintadera was born in Las Palmas in 1982. He studied social education and psychology and considers himself an oral narrator: He tells stories and writes them down, sometimes in this order, sometimes the other way round. Javier Gutiérrez Maestro was born in Bilbao in 1975 and studied Fine Arts in Cuenca. Since 1998 he works as an illustrator for advertisement and newspapers. He lives in Argentina, working as an illustrator and painter.
TAKATUKA Editorial SL C/Junta de comerç, 18, baixos, 08001 Barcelona www.takatuka.cat 12
Humberto the centipede (Original Spanish title: Humberto, el ciempiés) Written by Estela Antín Illustrated by Paco Martínez 32 pages, hardcover, size 17 x 17 cm coloured illustration From 3 years on Topics: centipedes, timeliness, friendship, habits, understanding World rights available
Humberto the centipede is always late! His friends are fed up with waiting for him all the time. Now, Humberto is a very busy little animal, but this is not the reason for his being late or seeming to forget an appointment. The reason lies in his physiognomy: Can anyone imagine the difficulty of matching so many pairs of shoes and of tying up hundreds of shoelaces? When his friends give him an ultimatum, he finally confesses, quite ashamed, why he is always late. So his friends decide that the best thing to do is to help Humberto with his big task. Sometimes all it takes is to tell your friends... Estela Antín was born in Buenos Aires, about 45 years ago. At the age of 22 she went to Spain to work as an ad writer. Being a self-taught woman, she writes stories, poetry and plays for theatre and writes and illustrates children’s books.
Paco Martínez was born in Córdoba, Argentina. He worked for advertising companies in Spain and Argentina. When he met Estela Antín, he took his chance to realize something that he had always wanted: to illustrate a book.
TAKATUKA Editorial SL C/Junta de comerç, 18, baixos, 08001 Barcelona www.takatuka.cat 13
A very boring book to fall asleep to (Original Spanish title: Un cuento muy aburrido para quedarse dormido) Written and illustrated by Estela Antin 20 pages, hardcover, size 15 x 15 cm coloured illustration From 0 - 3 years Topics: dreams, fantasy, habits World rights available
At night, everyone stops what they're doing and the silence becomes omnipresent. The pirate, the dog, and the girl with the basket; they're all asleep, except the owl, who stays watch. Estela Antín was born in Buenos Aires 45 years ago. At 22, she came to live in Spain to work as a publicity writer. She is self-taught and has been writing since she was a little girl: tales, poetry, plays and short stories. At Takatuka we have also published her album "Humberto, the centipede", illustrated by Paco Martinez, and "Where I can hide?" Characteristics: The characters in this book quit their chores because it's time to go to bed. It's also time for the smallest ones to rest. Like a lullaby, the versed text about sleepy characters and the soft colors will help put the smallest ones — and maybe not so small — to sleep, with a big smile on their lips.
TAKATUKA Editorial SL C/Junta de comerç, 18, baixos, 08001 Barcelona www.takatuka.cat 14
Where can I hide? (Original Spanish title: ¿Dónde me escondo?) Written and illustrated by Estela Antin 20 pages, hardcover, size 15 x 15 cm coloured illustration From 0 - 3 years Topics: s elephants, hide-and-seek, circus World rights available
An elephant escapes from the circus and doesn't want anyone to see him. But where should he hide? In a washing machine, under a gentleman's hat, in a matchbox... Anything will work, as long as he is not discovered. Estela Antín was born in Buenos Aires 45 years ago. At 22, she came to live in Spain to work as a publicity writer. She is self-taught and has been writing since she was a little girl: tales, poetry, plays and short stories. At Takatuka we have also published her album "Humberto, the centipede", illustrated by Paco Martinez, and "A very boring book to fall asleep to". Characteristics: The illustrations are in vivid colors and done with simple drawings. The contrast between sizes serves to create an amusing play on situation, with the elephant hidden in impossible places, as well as to awaken the sense of proportions.
TAKATUKA Editorial SL C/Junta de comerç, 18, baixos, 08001 Barcelona www.takatuka.cat 15
Fitún, the star (Original Spanish title: La estrellita Fitún) Written by Santiago Alba Rico Illustrated by Joan Negrescolor 36 pages, hardcover, size 24 x 22 cm coloured illustration From 4 years on Topics: stars, friendship, cold, winter, imagination World rights available
Vencesgindito can't sleep, he is freezing. No matter how many blankets and duvets he puts on himself, he just won't get any warmer. He wishes the stars would come down from the sky to help him. But then he discovers that he doesn't need to look out so far away to find a friend. Santiago Alba Rico is an author, essay writer and philosopher. His career began in the 1980s in the team of screen play writers for “La Bola de Cristal”, a very famous Spanish TV-program for children. He published books on different subjects, for instance “Las reglas del chaos”, nominated for the Anagrama Award, “La ciudad intangible”, “Leer con niños” and “El mundo incompleto”, a story about the process of creation for children. Joan Negrescolor, born in Barcelona in 1978, studied illustration at Escola Massana. He designs posters and illustrates books and magazines
TAKATUKA Editorial SL C/Junta de comerç, 18, baixos, 08001 Barcelona www.takatuka.cat 16
Pipocas? What's that? (Original Catalan title: Pipocas? Què és això?) Written and illustrated by Stefanie Pfeil 28 pages, hardcover, size 21,5 x 26 cm, coloured illustration From 5 years on Topics: languages, multilingual, society, multicultural, social integration, diverseness, friendship World rights available Nuno is from Zaragoza, and a little bit from Brazil, and also a little bit from Germany. At his home, three languages are spoken: Spanish, Portuguese and German. Nuno speaks the three, but sometimes he gets confused and fed up. One day he decides that he will only speak the language of his friends, Spanish, to avoid problems. But one day, a girl from Mozambique arrives in the neighbourhood. “Pipocas” is a story for those who feel weird to speak “foreign”, meaning to help them appreciating the great treasure of speaking several languages. Stefanie Pfeil studied arts and landscape painting at the University of Kassel, and graphic design at the Escola Massana in Barcelona, where she graduated in 1997. She lives in Barcelona and works as an illustrator for different publishers. “Pipocas? What is that?” is the first book that she not only illustrated but also wrote the text for. It is based on her personal experience: Her husband is Mozambican and her son speaks – and hears – Spanish, Catalan, Portuguese and German.
TAKATUKA Editorial SL C/Junta de comerç, 18, baixos, 08001 Barcelona www.takatuka.cat 17
A flower for Mum (Original Spanish title: Una flor de repuesto para mamá) Written and illustrated by Rebeka Elizegi 32 pages, hardcover, size 24 x 22 cm, coloured illustration From 5 years on Topics: sickness of somebody you love, cancer, recuperation World rights available “One autumn morning, just when the leaves of the trees began to fall, my mother had a big surprise. Dr. Flo phoned to tell her that they had found a very ugly spot in one of her breasts…” With these words begins the story of a boy who has to go through the strange situation of living the process of his mom’s breast cancer. Without losing their spirits, the boy and his mother fight the illness with all their might. Together they manage to go through it and turn back to normal life, happy and cheerful like before. Rebeka Elizegi co-founded Alehop, a studio for graphic design in Barcelona, with the illustrator Víctor Escandell. Alehop specializes in illustrations for books for children and young people. Besides book illustrations, Elizegi developes diverse projecs for publishers, institutions and firms.
TAKATUKA Editorial SL C/Junta de comerç, 18, baixos, 08001 Barcelona www.takatuka.cat 18
Punano (Original Galician title: Punver) Written by Yolanda Castaño Illustrated by Xavi Sellès 32 pages, hardcover, size 19 x 26 cm, coloured illustration From 3 years on Topics: animals, adventure, differentness, humour, poetry World rights available Punano, a little worm of the species punky-worm, is not a bad guy, but he is very, very confused. With his shabby look and cheeky face, he always ends up in trouble. An entertaining rhyming story for the youngest. Yolanda Castaño is a poet, columnist and video artist. She teaches workshops for poetry and multi-media in Spain and abroad, published several poetry books and poetry for children. Her work has been published in journals and anthologies and translated in many languages. She has been awarded with the Premio Nacional de la Crítica in 1999, the Premio Espiral Maior in 2007 and the Premio Ojo Crítico in 2009, amongst many others. Xavi Sellès studied graphic design at the Escola d’Art d’Alcoi in Valencia; since 2000 he works as a graphic artist, typesetter, window dresser and illustrator for many publishers, e.g. Santillana, Brosquil, Denes, Virus, Diálogos, and the journal Diagonal in Madrid.
TAKATUKA Editorial SL C/Junta de comerç, 18, baixos, 08001 Barcelona www.takatuka.cat 19
Roquefort, the little mouse (Original Spanish title: El ratoncito Roquefort) Written by Santiago Alba Rico Illustrated by Xavi Sellès 28 pages, hardcover, size 18 x 24,5 cm, coloured illustration From 5 years on Topics: gluttony, animals, appetite, family, humour World rights available After ten days without eating anything, Roquefort, the little mouse, is very, very hungry. He slips in a building, devouring, insatiable, everything he can find on his way up to the last floor. But he should have better stopped in time. “Roquefort” is a funny reflection on gluttony with original and colourful drawings. Santiago Alba Rico is an author, essay writer and philosopher. His career began in the 1980s in the team of screen play writers for “La Bola de Cristal”, a very famous Spanish TV-program for children. He published books on different subjects, for instance “Las reglas de chaos”, nominated for the Premio Anagrama award, “La ciudad intangible”, “Leer con niños” and “El mundo incompleto”, a story about the process of creation for children. Xavi Sellès studied graphic design at the Escola d’Art d’Alcoi in Valencia; since 2000 he works as a graphic artist, typesetter, window dresser and illustrator for many publishers, e.g. Santillana, Brosquil, Denes, Virus, Diálogos, and the journal Diagonal in Madrid.
TAKATUKA Editorial SL C/Junta de comerç, 18, baixos, 08001 Barcelona www.takatuka.cat 20
The girl with dirty feet (Original Bask title: Zangozikin) Written by Koldo Izagirre Illustrated by Antton Olariaga 28 pages, hardcover, size 18 x 24,5 cm coloured illustration From 5 years on Topics: immigration, solidarity, lonesomeness, wishes, dreams World rights available At siesta time, when the sun burns and there is nobody walking on the streets, the girl with dirty feet leaves the house to play hopscotch in the public square. At that time the immigrants usually go to a public telephone to call distant places. The girl with dirty feet does not always understand what they say, but she knows what they tell to those left far away. Koldo Izagirre is a famous author of Basque literature, be it poetry, short stories, novels or chronicles. He also wrote screen plays. In 1999, he was nominated for the Premio Nacional de Poesía with "Balizko erroten erresuma". Takatuka also published the children’s book “Zorro ladrón”. Antton Olariaga studied arts in Valencia and Bilbao and illustrates journals, children’s and school books, he also designs book covers and posters in his typical style. His work won several awards, amongst others the Premio Anton Abbadia form the Diputación de Gipuzcoa.
TAKATUKA Editorial SL C/Junta de comerç, 18, baixos, 08001 Barcelona www.takatuka.cat 21
Mrs María (Original Catalan title: La senyora Maria) Written by Cesc Noguera Illustrated by Raül Gesalí 48 pages, paperback, size 15 x 18 cm coloured illustration From 6 years on Topics: loneliness, poverty, friendship, comprehension World rights available
Mrs Maria lives on the streets. In summer, she sits in the shade of some banana trees at the square, telling stories to the birds. When it rains, she makes herself a shed with a shower curtain. The animals are the only living beings with whom she shares her memories and affection. But one day, Ennatu hears strange noises from the square and goes to look after Mrs María… “There are homeless people in our cities. They spend hours on the streets, and when the night comes, they look for a place to sleep, taking the sky for a roof. We often observe them with suspicion. But looking at the world with the eyes of a little girls helps us to see further, breaking up our prejudices”, says Ferran Busquets from Fundació Arrels, an association that helps homeless people in Barcelona. Cesc Noguera was born in Santa Coloma de Gramenet in 1965 and works as a teacher. In his spare time, he reads and writes, thinking of ways to change the world and the small things that could make it possible. Raül Gesalí was born in Barcelona in 1974 and works as a social assistant. He is a self-taught illustrator and has published some comics. “Mrs Maria” is his first illustrated book.
TAKATUKA Editorial SL C/Junta de comerç, 18, baixos, 08001 Barcelona www.takatuka.cat 22
The goal (Original Catalan title: El gol) Written by Roser Rimbau Illustrated by Pep Rimbau 44 pages, paperback, size 15 x 18 cm coloured illustration From 6 years on Topics: soccer, games, friendship, selfconfidence World rights available Every afternoon Juan and his sister Lola play soccer in the park with their friends. Juan is the youngest, so he has to be the goal keeper, no choice. But when a penalty in the last minute turns out to bring the decisive point, Tomás wants to replace Juan. “This one’s too big for you”, he says. But Lola is against the replacement. Roser Rimbau won the Comte Kurt Award in 2006 for her short story „En Naïm s’ha descolorit!”, since then, she writes childrens books. She is a journalist, but not working as such, she is a mother without being one and lives in the countryside. Pep Rimbau learned to draw with Josep Fita and studied illustration at Sant Jordi Arts School. He makes animation works, illustrations and comic strips.
TAKATUKA Editorial SL C/Junta de comerç, 18, baixos, 08001 Barcelona www.takatuka.cat 23
We have won the lottery! (Original Catalan title: Ens ha tocat la loteria!) Written by Pere Comellas Illustrated by Teresa Martí 48 pages, paperback, size 15 x 18 cm coloured illustration From 6 years on Topics: lottery, money, family, fortune, friendship, wishes World rights available
The family on the 3rd floor, staircase H, apartment 1, won the lottery. The lucky ones! Now they will never have problems again. Or will they? Suddenly they discover that money can make you happy – or not, but it sure does make life more difficult. An amusing story, written from the little girl’s point of view, who is much surprised by everyone’s reaction: her family’s, the neighbours’, the friends’. Pere Comellas teaches Portuguese and also works as a translator. In 2005 he won the Giovanni Pontiero de Traducció, awarded by the University of Barcelona and the Institute Camões. He loves languages, especially those that are barely spoken any more, and thus works with a study group about dying languages. Teresa Martí studied stage design at the Institute of Theatre in Barcelona. When working in a school, she discovered her passion for drawing and began to illustrate children’s books. She also works as an illustrator for journals and magazines.
TAKATUKA Editorial SL C/Junta de comerç, 18, baixos, 08001 Barcelona www.takatuka.cat 24