Nosy Crow's Blog, page 30

The Girl Who Stole an Elephant shortlisted for the 2021 UKLA Book Awards

We’re absolutely thrilled that The Girl Who Stole an Elephant, written by Nizrana Farook, has been shortlisted for the 2021 UKLA Book Awards in the 7-10+ category!

Now in their thirteenth year, the UKLA Book Awards are the only awards judged entirely by teachers, aiming to highlight high-quality children’s books and promote the importance of books for young people, from nursery to key stage 4. This year, the judging criteria put particular emphasis on “a broad range of perspectives, experiences and voices” which are reflected in the themes of diversity, inclusion, empathy and inspiration represented in the shortlist.

Editor, Kirsty Stansfield, said: “We’re really delighted to see The Girl Who Stole an Elephant on this illustrious shortlist. It represents a ringing endorsement from the teaching profession and we’re very grateful for teachers’ support during such a challenging time for schools. Congratulations, Nizrana, and here’s hoping Elephant rides to victory!”

Chaya, a no-nonsense, outspoken hero, leads her friends and a gorgeous elephant on a noisy, fraught, joyous adventure through the jungle where revolution is stirring and leeches lurk. Will stealing the queen’s jewels be the beginning or the end of everything for the intrepid gang?

The Girl Who Stole an Elephant is a thrilling jungle adventure, filled with mystery, action and peril – perfect for 9-12 year-old readers.

Read the first few chapters below:

You can buy a copy of The Girl Who Stole an Elephant from Waterstones here, Bookshop.org here, or Amazon here. The winners will be announced at the Virtual UKLA International Conference on July 2nd.

Congratulations Nizrana!

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Nosy Crow staff recommend their favourite independent bookshops

With many bookshops around the country re-opening their doors for the first time in months today, we wanted to share some recommendations for our favourite independent bookshops, from the staff at Nosy Crow. Here are just a few of the bookshops we’re looking forward to returning too soon…

Camilla Reid, Nosy Crow’s Editorial Director, recommends Mostly Books in Abingdon, Hungerford Bookshop in Hungerford, and The Mainstreet Trading Company in St Boswells:

“My bookshop recommendations are Mostly Books in Abingdon and Hungerford Bookshop in Hungerford – and if I have one ambition this year it is to make it to The Mainstreet Trading Company in St Boswells because I’ve never been there!”

Catherine Stokes, Nosy Crow’s Head of Sales and Marketing, recommends The Old Hall Bookshop in Brackley:

“There is a definite buzz in Northamptonshire /Oxfordshire – the Old Hall Bookshop, Brackley is open again next week.  Our conversation has been duller in the absence of the brilliant recommendations of Chris and her team (always winners, they know us so well) and we are counting the days to return to this beautiful bookshop that feels like home.  Pick up plants on the way in through the front garden, browse the specialist children’s and antiquarian book rooms, choose cards and gorgeous stationery and take a cuppa and a book into the newly landscaped back garden for a few minutes (or hours) sheer indulgence.  Race you…”

Elizabeth Jenner, Nosy Crow’s Editor at Large, recommends Linghams in Heswall, Wirral:

“My favourite independent bookshop is Linghams in Heswall, Wirral, which was my local bookshop when I was growing up. As a child, I used to love browsing the bright, busy shelves and choosing my very first books here. As I grew older, the shop was always a wonderful treasure trove of new recommendations and exciting discoveries. It has been great to see Linghams continue to go from strength to strength, and be involved in so many amazing initiatives and events. I’ve moved back to my hometown during lockdown, and – over 30 years later – I’m still really looking forward to the day I can pop in and explore those beautiful shelves of children’s books again!”

Frances Moloney, Nosy Crow’s Operations Manager, recommends Pages of Hackney:

“Pages of Hackney have been a lockdown godsend. From click and collect, to bike courier, to post – they have made sure everyone in the local area and further afield have all the books they need for #stayathome. Can’t wait to visit in person soon!”

Halimah Manan, Nosy Crow’s Assistant Editor (Fiction), recommends Round Table Books in Brixton:

“Round Table Books is a cosy bookshop in Brixton which I can’t wait to visit when bookshops re-open. They have a fantastic selection of inclusive books for children and lovely staff who are always happy to chat and provide you with some great recommendations.”

Kate Wilson, Nosy Crow’s Managing Director, recommends Booths in Hay on Wye:

“Richard Booth’s Bookshop in Hay-on-Wye acts on me like a magnet. Its seductive big window, always beautifully dressed, gives only the smallest indication of the gorgeousness and plenty inside. It’s a kind of cathedral of books, with vaulted ceilings and a splendid wide wooden staircase. Oh, and it smells of wood and books and sometimes a tiny bit of wet dog. It’s mainly a second hand bookshop and I have bought local interest titles and books about poodles (don’t ask) from its superbly navigable second-hand shelves. But at the front of the shop there’s an expertly curated range of new books, including children’s books: I always feel properly flattered when I find Nosy Crow books in there, and crestfallen when a Nosy Crow book I would have hoped would catch their eye isn’t on display. I never fail to buy a book when I go in there, which is part of my definition of a great bookshop. There’s a café serving excellent Welsh rarebit and you can even sit outside when it’s sunny. I buy really lovely birthday cards there, too. As I write this, I realise how much I am looking forward to visiting it in mid-April.”

Kirsty Stansfield, Nosy Crow’s Head of Fiction, recommends Winstones in Sidmouth:

“I’m looking forward to heading into Winstones in Sidmouth, Devon, as soon as I can. It’s always bright and cheerful and well-stocked, and I’ll buy something hefty to take to the beach and keep the seagulls away from my ice-cream.”

Leila Mauger, Nosy Crow’s Production Manager, also recommends Linghams in Heswall, Wirral:

“I would like to recommend my fave local from home, which is Linghams, Heswall. As a teen I went to a couple of book launches there and they always went all out. It was buzzing. The shop itself is nice and cosy, no glaring lights. They provide a good balance of choice of books without bursting at the seams. They have a lovely Children’s corner which is a perfect nook for story time. It has a bit of a library feel as well as that of a bookshop, which adds to its coziness for me.”

Rebecca Mason, Nosy Crow’s Publicity Manager, recommends Pritchards in Crosby, Liverpool:

“I can’t wait to walk back through the doors of Pritchards when they can FINALLY open again. It’s a lovely bookshop based in Crosby in Liverpool, the bookshop that was there for a Teenage Me after school, and for a Slightly More Grown Up Me who found herself back at her family home in a pandemic and turning to their Click and Collect service… Their shelves are like a treasure trove – I have always managed to find something exciting and unexpected, every time I go in, and I can’t wait to visit for a wander, a chat, and to uncover something entirely new again.”

Tom Bonnick, Nosy Crow’s Senior Commissioning Editor, recommends Phlox Books in Leyton and Storytellers Inc in St Annes-on-Sea:

“I can’t wait to visit Phlox Books in Leyton, East London again. They have a fantastically well-curated selection, and I always discovers something new there and invariably end up buying it, even if I’ve absolutely sworn to myself that I’m only going in for a browse. And they serve great coffee and have an excellent wine list – I’m enormously looking forward to sitting outside with a v cold glass of Picpoul and some crisps. Throughout lockdown I’ve also been buying books over Twitter from Storytellers Inc, whose recommendations and online hand-selling have been amazing – and I very much hope to be able to visit one day soon.”

And we’d love to hear about your favourite independent bookshops too – do share your recommendations with us on Twitter.

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Winners of our There’s a Mouse in My House competition!

We’re delighted to announce the winners of our There’s a Mouse in My House competition, run in partnership with the Reading Agency. We challenged young readers to design a new jumper for Mouse and were blown away by the hundreds of colourful and cosy creations that were sent in.

Choosing the winners was so difficult, as judge Ross Collins, author and illustrator of There’s a Mouse in My House, found out! We are delighted to share with you the winning entries in a gallery of jazzy jumpers. The winners will each receive a signed set of books by Ross Collins. Congratulations!

Thank you to everyone who entered our competition – we were amazed by all your amazing efforts and talent!

There’s a Mouse In My House, the sequel to the award-winning There’s a Bear On My Chair, is out now – you can pick up a copy from Waterstones here, Bookshop.org here, or Amazon here.

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Take a look inside The Body Book

Last week we published The Body Book, illustrated by Hannah Alice – an incredible interactive board book about how the body works, with see-through pages. From pumping blood to breathing air, this is a brilliant way to learn about all the amazing things our bodies can do.

And today we’re sharing a video preview of the book – you can see the book in action below!

What’s going on inside the human body? How do we move, eat, think, sleep and breathe? Children will love looking inside to discover the answers with amazing see-through pages and clear, friendly text. With labelled acetate diagrams of the muscular, skeletal, respiratory, circulatory, digestive, excretory and nervous systems, this is a fantastic first look at human anatomy for curious children everywhere.

Take a look inside:

The Body Book is out now – you can buy a copy from Waterstones here, Bookshop.org here, or Amazon here. If you’d like to stay up-to-date with our book news, including exclusive previews, giveaways and more, you can sign up to our newsletter here.

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How to be Me is now available as an audiobook

Today we’re delighted to share a brand new audiobook edition of How to be Me by Cath Howe – a beautiful, moving story of family, friendship and self-discovery, from the author of the high-acclaimed novels Ella on the Outside and Not My Fault.

Since his mum died, Lucas and his dad don’t seem to understand each other at all – it’s almost as if they’re speaking different languages. With a long, hot summer facing him, Lucas is dreading the drama club that his dad has signed him up for – he doesn’t know how to be around new people and he can’t standperforming. But the people Lucas meets at the club force him to open up and start talking, and when disaster strikes, Lucas is forced to step in and help. Can his new-found friends teach Lucas how to be himself?

You can buy the audiobook of How to be Me from Audible, Amazon, and Apple now – and you can listen to a preview of the audiobook below.

Filled with empathy and insight, and sensitively touching on issues including grief, anxiety, loneliness with great understanding and an incredible lightness of touch, How to be Me is a kind, heartwarming, and uplifting story – perfect for fans of Jacqueline Wilson and Lisa Thompson.

You can also read the opening of the book below:

And you can buy the print edition of How to be Me from Waterstones here, from Bookshop.org here, and from Amazon here.

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Take a look inside Bizzy Bear’s Big Book of Words

Last week we published Bizzy Bear’s Big Book of Words, by Benji Davies – a chunky lift-the-flap book for toddlers, with over 500 words to read and learn!

With multiple flaps to lift, ten engaging scenes, and hundreds of images, this book has loads to name, discover and talk about. Every page has a thumb-tab to make turning the pages easy and the chunky pages are designed to withstand even the most enthusiastic of toddlers.

And today you can see this book in action – watch a video preview of the book below:

You can buy a copy of Bizzy Bear’s Big Book of Words from Waterstones here, the independent bookshop supporter Bookshop.org here, and Amazon here.

If you’d like to stay up-to-date with all of our latest book news, including early previews, video trailers, giveaways and more, you can sign up to our newsletter here.

 

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New books out in April!

It’s our April publication day! From a Bizzy Bear first words book and egg hunt adventures to the first in a loveable new picture book series by David Melling, an inspiring story about looking after our coastlines and a bunch of fantastic new fiction to keep them entertained, we’ve got something for everyone this month.

Here’s a closer look at the new Nosy Crow books you can find in bookshops, and available online, now.

Bizzy Bear’s Big Book of Words, by Benji Davies:

Buy the book.

Sing Along With Me! Hey Diddle Diddle, by Yu-hsuan Huang:

Buy the book.

I’m Thinking of a Pet, by Adam Guillain, Charlotte Guillain & Lucia Gaggiotti:

Buy the book.

The Body Book, by Hannah Alice: 

Buy the book.

This is NOT a Unicorn, by Barry Timms and Ged Adamson:

Buy the book.

Ruffles and the Red, Red Coat, by David Melling:

Buy the book.

National Trust: Out and About Minibeast Explorer, by Robyn Swift & Hannah Alice:

Buy the book.

British Museum: Find Tom in Time, Ancient Rome, by Fatti Burke (now available in paperback):

Buy the book.

How to Be Me, by Cath Howe:

Buy the book.

Waiting for Murder, by Fleur Hitchcock:

Buy the book.

Sunshine Stables: Poppy and the Perfect Pony, by Olivia Tuffin & Jo Goodberry:

Buy the book.

A Forever Home for Fluffy, by Linda Chapman & Sophy Williams: 

Buy the book.

Earth Friends: Fair Fashion, by Holly Webb:

Buy the book.

Congratulations to all of the authors and illustrators with books out today!

If you’d like to stay up-to-date with all of our books news, you can sign up to our newsletter here or using the form at the bottom of this page.

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Take a look inside The Life and Time of Lonny Quicke

In May we’re absolutely thrilled to be publishing The Life and Time of Lonny Quicke – a brilliant new novel about family, secrets and terrible power, from the acclaimed author of The Middler and TrooFriend, Kirsty Applebaum.

And today we’re delighted to be sharing an early preview of the book – you can read the first few chapters below!

Lonny is a lifeling. He has the power to heal any living creature and bring it back from the dead. But he pays a price for this gift – by lengthening the creature’s life, he shortens his own. So Lonny has to be careful, has to stay hidden in the forest. Because if people knew what he could do, Lonny would be left with no life at all…

A gripping, atmospheric and heartfelt new story for readers aged 9-12, The Life and Time of Lonny Quicke is perfect for fans of Malorie Blackman, Meg Rosoff, and Frances Hardinge.

The Life and Time of Lonny Quicke is out on May 6th! You can pre-order a copy from Waterstones here, Bookshop.org here and from Amazon here.

If you’d like to stay up-to-date with all of our books news, including award news, early previews, and giveaways, you can sign up to our newsletter here.

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Wigglesbottom Primary: Break-Time Bunnies longlisted for the 2021 Alligator’s Mouth Award!

We’re absolutely delighted to announce that Wigglesbottom Primary: Break-Time Bunnies, written by bestselling Pamela Butchart and illustrated by Becka Moor, has been longlisted for the 2021 Alligator’s Mouth Award!

Launched in 2018, the book prize celebrates the very best in highly illustrated children’s fiction for 6-8 year-olds and is run by the Richmond-based Alligator’s Mouth bookshop and The Bright Agency. The award is also supported by Gardeners, who will continue as an official partner.

This year’s judging panel includes acclaimed children’s author Smriti Halls; last year’s winner, Adam Stower; award-winning book blogger and primary school librarian Jo Clarke; primary school headteacher and book blogger Simon Smith; co-owners of The Alligator’s Mouth bookshop, Margaret Wallace-Jones and Tony West; and Director of The Bright Agency, Arabella Stein.

It’s an honour to have the Wigglesbottom Primary series recognised by the award!

Life at Wigglesbottom Primary is often lived on the edge. An unexpected visitor, a bewitched violin and an invasion of bunnies! What can it all mean?

With three laugh-out-loud stories in each book, and fun two-colour artwork throughout, Wigglesbottom Primary is perfect for encouraging independent reading!

Take a look inside the book:

You can buy a copy of Wigglesbottom Primary: Break-Time Bunnies from Bookshop.org, an independent bookshop supporter, here.

The shortlist for the award will be announced in May, followed by the winner’s announcement in July. You can find out more about the award and view the full longlist here.

Congratulations Pamela and Becka!

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Nosy Crow shortlisted for four 2021 British Book Awards

We bite our nails on the day that the British Book Award shortlistings  – the Nibbies – come out. These are the trade book awards, and we always work hard on our entries for the awards to try to showcase what we’ve done in the previous year. Writing them is a great way, actually, to reflect on the year, and is always a last minute, burning-the-midnight-oil sort of exercise as we pull together information to demonstrate that we’re worthy of inclusion.

We are so delighted to be shortlisted in four categories this year.

Camilla Reid is shortlisted for Editor of the Year. Camilla is a founding director of Nosy Crow, and her pre-school board books and early picture books include the Felt Flaps series, Bizzy Bear series, and Pip and Posy series (which hit the small screen for the first time on Monday). The judges said: “Nosy Crow’s co-founder and editorial director took the pre-school and novelty list to new heights in 2020. Benji Davies’ Bizzy Bear series was her standout hit, with all the international appeal, longevity and recognisable Nosy Crow feel that has made the business so successful.”

The rights team – Michela Pea, Erin Murgatroyd, Nuria Marti i Pampalona and Lucy Dunnet – are shortlisted for Rights Professional of the Year – one of just two teams to make it to the shortlist. The judges said: “Nosy Crow turned ten in 2020, and owes its phenomenal success over the decade to buying world rights in nearly all its content, then squeezing every last drop of sales from them. Its four-strong team—Michela Pea, Erin Murgatroyd, Nuria Marti i Pampalona and Lucy Dunnet—grew translation and coedition sales by half, focusing on its most regular partners and finding new potential in the backlist. Its flexible approach and interactive rights guide went down well with its many partners, among whom it enjoys huge respect.”

The export team, now boosted by Damon Greeney’s arrival, but, through 2020, made up of just Catherine Stokes with Maddie Price, with the support of export consultant, Peter Newsom, is shortlisted for the Export prize for companies with export turnover of less than £10m per year. This is a prize we were very proud to win last year. The judges said: “Last year’s winner was an even greater international force in 2020, growing export sales by well over 50% despite a drastic reduction in the volume of travel done by its energetic team. The excellent relationships Nosy Crow has built with overseas customers over its first decade in business paid dividends, and it was constantly alert and responsive to their needs as their various markets went in and out of lockdowns. A revamped website, newsletter, and Instagram and WeChat activity all helped to cement connections, as did the investment in more video and other digital assets, and flip-book catalogues, to help customers visualise its books. Exports to China, South Korea and many other Asian territories rocketed, and it was particularly pleased with sales in territories that it has only recently brought in-house.”

Massive congratulations to all of them!

And the whole company is shortlisted for Children’s Publisher of the Year, a prize we have won twice before in our ten-year history. The judges said: “Nosy Crow, the 2017 and 2019 winner in this category, as well as the 2020 Independent Publisher of the Year Nibbie recipient, has doubled in size in the past three years alone. Its growth in international markets — from which three-quarters of its sales now come — was remarkable.”

It is excellent to have these acknowledgments of individual contributions as well as the work of the whole team.

If we were all in the office, we’d raise a glass. With most of us at home, we might have a biscuit with our tea.

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