Nosy Crow's Blog, page 102

Our brand new July books are almost here!

We have a great mix of new titles, arriving in bookshops this July and there’s plenty to get excited about – from exciting new fiction, to picture books, novelty books, and books bursting with things to make and colour, there’s plenty here to keep little hands busy this Summer. Take an early peek at what’s new from the Nosy Crow nest!

We’re thrilled to introduce an incredibly stylish duo of novelty books from our new Lois and Bob series: Lois looks for Bob at Home and Lois looks for Bob at the Park.  With fresh, contemporary illustrations by Gerry Turley, this is a visually arresting and wonderfully quirky lift-the-flap series. All little readers will love helping Lois search for her friend Bob behind the different objects, and encountering new friends along the way!

Also publishing this July is Mummy! –  a lift-the-flap adventure through ancient Egypt for little readers. A little Egyptian girl can’t find her mummy . . . and she needs your help! After discovering a whole host of Egyptian animals, from cats to crocodiles, she discovers that there is more than one kind of mummy! Published in partnership with The British Museum, Mummy! is an ingenious piece of narrative non-fiction, illustrated by Lerryn Korda, ending with an adorably reassuring spread as mummy and toddler reunite.

Rounding of July’s new board books is Blocks, written and illustrated by Irene Dickson. Sharing is never easy when you’re little! Follow Ruby and Benji as they build with their coloured blocks and learn that by sharing their blocks and building together they can have even more fun! This timeless story of sharing is perfect for little readers, and shows that playing nicely together means more fun for everyone!

Take a look inside the paperback edition:

If you were hoping even more Irene Dickson, then get ready for Stick, her brand new picture book. Head outdoors and discover that there are SO many things you can do with a stick. You can throw it for your dog, balance with it, float it down a stream, draw pictures in the sand and, if you’re lucky, it might even help you make new friends! All it takes is a good, useful stick and a bit of creativity.

Here’s a little peek at what’s inside:

Our second picture books, coming out this July, is Troll Stroll, a fun and rhyming story by Elli Woollard with illustrations by David Barrow. Troll is fed up with eating boring old goats, so off he strolls in search of some scrumptious children. But the children are clever, and outwit Troll time after time as they tell him to wait because there’s something FAR tastier coming along the road after them… At last, the children turn the tables on the Troll, who makes a quick exit back to his mountain cave! Troll Stroll is publishing in hardback and paperback in a few weeks time.

Take a look inside:

Next up we have two new activity books, published in partnership with The British Museum.

Get creative with The Colouring Book of Cards and Envelopes: Amazing Animas & Beautiful Birds. This amazingly innovative colouring book is full of beautifully designed cards and envelopes to tear out and colour, all illustrated in stunning detail by Rachel Cloyne. The twenty-four gorgeous designs are inspired by animals and birds found in the British Museum and are perfect for all ages to decorate and send to family and friends. Use the handy index at the back to take inspiration from the Museum objects themselves or get experimental – try unusual colours and different materials to make each card truly unique! With enough blank space inside for a message, envelopes to customise and colour stickers to seal your card, this is the complete creative package!

We’re thrilled to be publishing the Around the World Colouring Book, illustrated by Thomas Flintham and packed full of information and facts from The British Museum. Take a tour around sixteen incredible civilisations, from Mayan temples in Central America to the palaces of ancient Persia, and many more in between. Colour in and learn about the bustling markets of ancient Greece, then turn the page and discover a traditional Chinese dragon parade. Complete your pictures with over 70 stickers of historical artefacts from each civilisation!

Look out for the latest book in the Zoe’s Rescue Zoo series, The Picky Puffin, written by Amelia Cobb. When Great-Uncle Horace brings back lost and homeless animals from his travels around the globe, it falls to Zoe, and her mum, the zoo vet, to settle them into their new home. Zoe’s very good at this, because she can understand what they say and talk to them, too. But that’s a secret! Puffins are Zoe’s favourite ever animal, so when Poppy arrives at the Rescue Zoo, Zoe is very happy to help her settle in. But Poppy is very picky! She doesn’t like her enclosure … or her burrow … or even her food! Can Zoe and Meep work out what is making Poppy the puffin so picky, and come up with a plan to make the little puffin feel happy in her new home? This chapter book is great for young readers who are growing in confidence, and is peppered throughout with beautiful black and white illustrations from Sophy Williams.

Take a look inside the latest Zoe’s Rescue Zoo:

And finally, we are so excited to publish My Evil Twin is a Supervillain – the third installment in the series of Luke’s laugh-out-loud adventures by David Solomons, the author of ‘My Gym Teacher is an Alien Overlord’ and ‘My Brother Is a Superhero’, which won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and the British Book Industry Awards Children’s Book of the Year.

When Luke is confronted with Stellar, his superpowered twin from another dimension, he is highly suspicious. No one travels through time and space without a plan, and that plan is usually EVIL. So what does Stellar want? And why is he so UNBELIEVABLY IRRITATING? From his superhero hair to his rocket-powered shoes, Stellar is up to no good, and Luke must BRING HIM DOWN!

Here’s a sneak peek, before it’s published:

Don’t forget – you can stay up to date with all of our book news by signing up to our books newsletter at this page, or with form below – you’ll never miss a thing!

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The Nosy Crow Masterclass is back

Today we’re very pleased to announce the return of the How to Write Picture Books Nosy Crow Masterclass!

This will be an intensive, all-day writing masterclass, with sessions from authors, editors, agents, staff at Nosy Crow, and more – all focussed on writing picture books. There’ll be practical suggestions, advice on every aspect of writing, from rhyme and scansion, to editing a text, working alongside illustrators, understanding the format, and guidance about what comes after – finding an agent, understanding a contract, and international selling.

As part of the day, there’ll also be the opportunity to receive one-on-one manuscript critiques for anyone who has chosen this ticket option and sent along writing samples in advance. And there’s also a saver ticket option for those of you would like to attend the masterclass, but don’t have a manuscript ready for critique yet.

The masterclass will take place on Saturday September 9th, and Early Bird and Saver tickets are available now.

Ticket price includes tea and coffee breaks throughout the day, lunch, and a glass of wine at the end of the day. We’ll be announcing more details about the day, with speakers and a list of sessions, very shortly.

Places are extremely limited, so if you’re interested, get yours now – we hope to see you there!

The Many Worlds of Albie Bright has won the East Sussex Children’s Book Award!

Lat night the winner of the East Sussex Children’s Book Award was announced, and we’re absolutely thrilled that The Many Worlds of Albie Bright by Christopher Edge took the prize!

This annual book award is presented by the East Sussex Schools Library and Museum Service – and this year’s shortlisted books were carefully chosen with the help of children from St Mary Star of the Sea Primary School, Framfield Primary School, Breakwater Academy and Hollington Primary Academy. You can read some great reviews of the book by children from each school here.

Frank Cottrell Boyce called The Many Worlds of Albie Bright “A book with a big brain, big laughs and a big, big heart.” The Times, naming the book a Children’s Book of the Week, wrote: “Christopher Edge has written a clever story infused with science that wears its intelligence humorously, introduces complex ideas with the lightest of touches … Give the man his own element on the periodic table of children’s authors.”

Here’s a look inside the book:

Buy the book online.

Congratulations, Chris!

Take a look inside The Picky Puffin – a brand new book in the Zoe’s Rescue Zoo series!

Next month we’re publishing Zoe’s Rescue Zoo: The Picky Puffin, the latest brilliant story in the phenomenally successful Zoe’s Rescue Zoo series written by Amelia Cobb and illustrated by Sophy Williams – and today you can take a look inside the new book for the first time!

Puffins are Zoe’s favourite ever animal, so when Poppy arrives at the Rescue Zoo, Zoe is very happy to help her settle in. But Poppy is very picky! She doesn’t like her enclosure …or her burrow …or even her food! Can Zoe and Meep work out what is making Poppy the puffin so picky, and come up with a plan to make the little puffin feel happy in her new home?

Here’s a first look inside the book:

These are a great introduction to chapter books for 5-7 year olds – brilliantly-written series fiction with a fantastic premise, and perfect for young animal lovers everywhere.

The Picky Puffin will be in shops in July – you can find out more about the book here. And if you’d like to stay up to date with all of our book news, you can sign up to our books newsletter at this page, or with form below.

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Exclusive signed copies of My Evil Twin is a Supervillain available to pre-order

Later this month we’ll be publishing My Evil Twin is a Supervillain – the third fantastic book by David Solomons, and the follow-up to the award-winning, best-selling My Brother is a Superhero and My Gym Teacher is an Alien Overlord. And today you can pre-order an exclusive signed copy of the book!

When Luke is confronted with Stellar, his superpowered twin from another dimension, he is highly suspicious. No one travels through time and space without a plan, and that plan is usually EVIL. So what does Stellar want? And why is he so UNBELIEVABLY IRRITATING? From his superhero hair to his rocket-powered shoes, Stellar is up to no good, and Luke must BRING HIM DOWN.

Laugh-out-loud funny, and hugely exciting, this is another incredible adventure that’ll have you gripped. Here’s a look inside the book:

You can pre-order you signed copy of My Evil Twin is a Supervillain here – there are a strictly limited number of signed copies of the book.

 

Take a look inside Troll Stroll

Next month we’re incredibly happy to be publishing Troll Stroll – an absolutely wonderful picture book from an exciting new author-illustrator pairing. With a funny rhyming text from Elli Woollard, and beautiful artwork from Waterstones Children’s Book Prize-shortlisted illustrator David Barrow, this is a clever, imaginative twist on the classic Three Billy Goats Gruff story, with vehicles galore. And today you can take a first look inside the book!

Troll is fed up with eating boring old goats, so off he strolls in search of some tasty children. But the little boy on the bike insists that the four children in the car behind him would be FAR tastier. And – look! – those children in the school bus behind would be yummier still.

But the children in the big digger are looking hungry, too. It’s time for the terrible Troll to make a quick exit!

Here’s a first look inside Troll Stroll:

With a fantastic rhyme throughout, and an unexpected twist ending, this is a great book to read aloud.

Troll Stroll will be in shops in July – and you can pre-order it online today, here.

There are a couple of days left to apply for a Sales Executive role at Nosy Crow

A fortnight ago we announced that we’re recruiting a Sales Executive – and there are just a couple of days left to apply for the role: the period for applications ends on Sunday.

This is an exciting opportunity for a talented, publishing sales person at the beginning of their career to join Nosy Crow, working on our fast-growing, award-winning children’s list.  The successful candidate will join our team as Sales Executive on a full-time basis, working in our London office near London Bridge.

Purpose of the Job:

The role of the Sales Executive is to assist both our Head of Sales & Marketing and Key Account Manager in effectively selling Nosy Crow’s list of titles and multi award-winning brands to all our customers.

The Sales Executive will be joining the fast-paced Sales and Marketing Department.  This role would suit someone with at least one year’s experience of working in a publishing sales environment.

We are a busy and dynamic team and we value the experience and creative input that we can each provide.  You’ll need to be flexible, determined, with a keen eye for detail, and good at working as part of a team.

Key responsibilities and tasks:

Supporting key account presentations – creating and updating PowerPoint presentations and AI sheets, managing the sales materials (proofs etc.) and ensuring all material is prepared for sales meetings.
Attending key account meetings with other members of the sales team
Supporting Nosy Crow’s UK, Ireland and Export field sales teams
Liaising with Nosy Crow’s distributors, GBS
Analysing and reporting on sales data
To provide general administrative support and assisting in the smooth running of the office.

 

Key skills, characteristics and capabilities:

Previous experience working in children’s publishing, and in sales is desirable, but not essential
A very close eye for detail and accuracy
Excellent verbal and written communication skills plus the ability to write persuasive copy
Experience working with sales data and Excel for sales analysis
Confidence in building and maintaining relationships with the field sales teams and key contacts
Willingness to be fully involved in our busy and fun office
A keen interest in children’s books

 

The successful candidate will have the right to live and work in the UK.

To apply, please email your CV, accompanied by not more than 500 words on what you think you could contribute to Nosy Crow, both personally and as a sales professional.  Please send to Catherine Stokes (catherine@nosycrow.com), with details of your current salary, not later than midnight on Sunday 11th June.  We look forward to reading your application.

The Nosy Crow Masterclass is returning soon

Today we are very happy to announce the return of the Nosy Crow Masterclasses.

Our last Masterclass took place in June of last year, and the Masterclasses have been on hiatus since then – on pause until we moved to bigger offices and had the space to host the events again.

And we’re very pleased to say that we’ll be holding our first Masterclass of 2017, How to Write Picture Books, in early Autumn.

We’ll be announcing the programme and line-up of speakers for the Masterclass, along with information on buying tickets, next week.

If you’d like to be the first to hear when and how you can book your place, sign up to our books newsletter, either at this page or with the form below – subscribers will receive early booking information. Our previous How to Write Picture Book Masterclasses have sold out in a matter of hours, so if you’re interested in attending, our newsletter is your best way of securing your place.

We hope to see you there!

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Win a copy of The Secret Diary of John Drawbridge!

Last month we published The Secret Diary of John Drawbridge, Medieval Knight Training – the first book in a hilarious new ‘faction’ series with the National Trust, written by Roald Dahl Funny Prize-winning author Philip Ardagh, and with brilliant artwork in a hugely appealing, contemporary style from Jamie Littler, illustrator of Hamish and the Worldstoppers.

And today, we’re giving you the chance to win one of five copies of the book!

To win one of these copies of the book, just head over to the @NosyCrowBooks Twitter feed, follow @NosyCrowBooks, and re-tweet this message.

With a fantastic balance of great characters, exciting plot, and interesting, accessible historical facts woven into the story, this is PERFECT for fans of Horrible Histories.

John Drawbridge has moved to Widemoat Castle to learn to become a knight. And there is a LOT to learn. How to charge with a lance on horseback without falling off. Why the spiral staircases always go up in a clockwise direction. How to defend the castle against invading parties. Why the plates served at banquets are made of stale bread (and why you shouldn’t eat them…). And so much, MUCH more. So it’s no wonder that John decides to keep a diary (even if it is only an imaginary one…) of his time at the castle. Things REALLY liven up when the castle is attacked by an invading Welsh party – but can John foil their plot before it’s too late…?

Here’s a look inside the book:

We’ll pick five winners in our giveaway competition at random tomorrow – good luck!

The Nosy Crow Reading Group is on hiatus

The Nosy Crow Reading Group is having a Summer hiatus – but it’ll be back in the Autumn, and we’d love to see you then.

If you haven’t attended the Reading Group before, but are interesting in coming along to a future event, we’d love to hear from you. The group is just like any book club – attendance is free, and we meet monthly over wine and crisps to discuss children’s books (usually not our own).

If you’d like to hear about future Reading Group events, send an email to tom@nosycrow.com, and you’ll be added to our mailing list.

See you in the Autumn!