Nosy Crow's Blog, page 64
March 29, 2019
Come and work for Nosy Crow: we’re hiring a Rights Assistant
We have a really exciting opportunity for a hardworking, organised individual, who is probably at the start of their career in publishing, to join Nosy Crow’s rights department. Impressive rights and co-edition sales were a key reason we won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2018 and International Achievement Award at the 2018 IPG Awards. This is your chance to be part of and contribute to our success in this fast-moving, fascinating, international area of our business.
Purpose of the Job:
The Rights team consists of a Rights Manager, a Rights Executive and two Rights Assistants. Whilst the successful candidate will report to the Rights Manager, the role requires working closely with our Rights Executive assisting in selling to customers from specific territories including The Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Latin America and Eastern Europe as well as contributing to the smooth running of the department.
Key responsibilities and tasks:
Pitching books to customers during appointments at key international book fairs
Creating rights appointment schedules, travel and accommodation for book fairs and sales trips
Sending out follow-up material after the fairs both digitally and in hard-copy form
Organising selling material for the Bologna and Frankfurt fairs
Maintaining accurately the rights database containing information on submissions, rejections and licences of our books
Coordinating the mail-out of foreign copies to authors, illustrators and their agents
Providing general administrative support required by the rights department
Providing general office administrative support
Key skills, characteristics and capabilities:
Perfect written and spoken English combined with strong communication skills
The ability to speak at least one foreign language in addition to English, and we are particularly keen to find a Spanish or Portuguese speaker
Strong organisational skills and excellent attention to detail
The ability to multitask and prioritise tasks
The ability to work confidently under pressure
Initiative and the ability to work independently
Strong numeracy skills
Strong interest in publishing, particularly children’s books
Ideally some experience of, or exposure to, rights work in a publishing company or an agency
The successful candidate will have the right to live and work in the UK.
To apply, please email your CV, accompanied by a covering letter of no longer than 500 words, to Michela Pea (michela@nosycrow.com) with the subject heading Rights Assistant, telling us where you heard about the job.
The closing date for applications is Monday 22 April at midnight (UK time).
March 25, 2019
Watch our trailer for Meekoo and the Big Red Potty
Next month we’re proud to be publishing Meekoo and the Big Red Potty, written by Camilla Reid and illustrated by Nicola Slater. Meekoo and the Big Red Potty is a hilarious new sound button book designed to make potty training a positive experience for mums, dads AND their little ones!
Meekoo may be a big bear now, but even big bears have accidents sometimes. Everyone will enjoy the soundtrack to Meekoo’s potty-training day – and they’ll love joining in with the big cheer at the end.
And today we’re delighted to share our animated trailer for the book!
You can watch our trailer for Meekoo and the Big Red Potty at the top of this post – and you can pre-order a copy of the book from Amazon here, or from Waterstones here.
Pre-order your copy of Meekoo and the Big Red Potty
And if you’d like to stay up-to-date with all of our book news, you can sign up to our books newsletter with the form below, and you’ll never miss a thing.
NameEmail
Books
Apps
NameThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
March 22, 2019
The Doughnut of Doom – an update
Sometimes publishers get things wrong.
And our initial publication of The Doughnut of Doom is an example of this.
But what’s important is that we not only recognised it, as soon as it was pointed out, but acted on it fast.
The issue of the treatment of allergies in children’s media came to wider attention – and, honestly, to ours for the first time – when the film of Peter Rabbit was released in February of last year. As our own title, The Doughnut of Doom, came under scrutiny, we started receiving feedback in March 2018. We care intensely about feedback, and so we immediately began to carefully consider what we should do in consultation with the author/illustrator. Within a week, we contacted customers in March to withdraw the title from sale from all key customers, and we haven’t sold a copy since the end of that month. Of course, there were already books in bookshops and libraries, and not all of them sent back books, but we did our best. We pulped every single copy of the book that was returned. We also cancelled a rights sale to the USA that was planned.
The author/illustrator was very happy to address the issues, and began work on a revised version of the book, changing the text and key elements of the art. The book also has a new cover to distinguish it from the original version. We publish the new version, which eliminates all references to allergies, in August 2019. In this new version the Doughtnut simply makes himself sick from eating too much: eating Nancy, the peanut butter sandwich, redoubtable reporter and our hero, is the final straw. We see him recovered from his greed and doing a fun run at the end of the book.
Nosy Crow has been shortlisted for three 2019 British Book Awards!
The shortlists for the 2019 British Book Awards (otherwise known as the Nibbies) have been announced today, and we were delighted to discover that Nosy Crow has been shortlisted in three categories!
We are shortlisted for the Children’s Publisher of the Year Award, sponsored by Tesco, against DK, Hachette Children’s Group, HarperCollins Children’s Books, Macmillan Children’s Books, Scholastic, Usborne Publishing, and Wonderbly. Judges said: “Nosy Crow, winner here in 2017, continued its inexorable rise with a 32.9% hike in TCM sales – making it the UK’s 12th biggest children’s publisher just eight years after launching. As before, success came from a range of authors and publishing partnerships rather than blockbuster names. Growth in sales, rights and coeditions to international markets, from which Nosy Crow draws well over half of its revenue, was even sharper.”
We are shortlisted for the Independent Publisher of the Year Award, sponsored by First Group, against Atlantic Books, Canongate, Cicerone Press , Elliott & Thompson, Faber & Faber, Hardie Grant UK, and Wild Things Publishing. Judges said: “Nosy Crow is shortlisted for a sixth year in a row, and is also a contender in the Children’s Publisher of the Year category. Its eighth year of publishing was its biggest yet, with domestic and international sales both soaring. At home it collaborated with big brands including the National Trust, John Lewis and the British Museum, while its rights and exports team secured deals with new partners across Asia, Europe and the US.”
And I Am the Seed That Grew the Tree: A Nature Poem for Every Day of the Year, illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon and with poetry collected by Fiona Waters, has been shortlisted in the Children’s Illustrated & Non-Fiction Book of the Year category, against Stories for Boys Who Dare To Be Different by Ben Brooks, illustrated by Quinton Winter, Politics for Beginners by Alex Frith, Rosie Hore, and Louie Stowell, illustrated by Kellan Stover, Oi Duck Billed Platypus! by Kes Grey, illustrated by Jim Field, Fantastically Great Women who Made History by Kate Pankhurst, and You Are Awesome by Matthew Syed, illustrated by Toby Triumph. Judges said: “This anthology of nature poems for every day of the year was Nosy Crow’s most ambitious project yet. A collaboration with the National Trust, the large-format, 300+ page hardback was sumptuously produced, superbly marketed and enthusiastically received. The 40,000 copies sold in 2018 far exceeded expectations for a £25 title.”
Here’s our trailer for I Am the Seed That Grew the Tree:
And here’s a look inside the book:
You can read the full list of shortlists in every category at the Nibbies website, here.
The winners will be announced at The British Book Awards on Monday 13th May – wish us luck!
March 21, 2019
The Boy Who Flew is now available as an audiobook
Today we’re delighted to share a brand new audiobook edition of The Boy Who Flew by Fleur Hitchcock – a thrilling tale filled with danger and heroism set against a backdrop of the invention of flight, perfect for fans of Philip Pullman, Peter Bunzl and Philip Reeve.
Athan Wilde dreams of flight. When his friend, Mr Chen, is murdered, Athan must rescue the flying machine they were building together and stop it falling into the wrong hands. But keeping the machine safe puts his family in terrible danger. What will Athan choose – flight or family?
Brilliantly narrated by Joe Jameson, you can buy the audiobook of The Boy Who Flew from Audible, Amazon, and iTunes now – and you can listen to a preview of the audiobook below.
And you can also read the opening of the book below:
March 20, 2019
Watch Catherine Bruton read the opening chapters of No Ballet Shoes in Syria
This May we are incredibly proud to be publishing No Ballet Shoes in Syria by Catherine Bruton – a captivating story, filled with warmth and heart, with wonderfully authentic ballet writing and an important message championing the rights of refugees. And today we’re delighted to share a preview of the book – you can watch author Catherine Bruton reading the first two chapters of No Ballet Shoes in Syria in the video at the top of this post, and read the opening chapters below.
The book has already received some wonderful advance praise – Hilary McKay, Costa Prize-winning author of The Skylarks’ War, called it “wise and kind and unputdownable”, and Natasha Farrant, author of The Children of Castle Rock, called the book “a perfect balance of tragedy and triumph”.
No Ballet Shoes in Syria tells the story of Aya – eleven years old and newly arrived in Britain with her mum and baby brother, seeking asylum from war in Syria.
When Aya stumbles across a local ballet class, the formidable dance teacher spots her exceptional talent and believes that Aya has the potential to earn a prestigious ballet scholarship.
But at the same time, Aya and her family must fight to be allowed to remain in the country, to make a home for themselves and to find Aya’s father – separated from the rest of the family during the journey from Syria.
Perfect for fans of Noel Streatfeild’s Ballet Shoes, Lorna Hill’s Sadlers Wells series, and Pamela Brown’s The Swish of the Curtain, this is beautiful, classic storytelling.
And here’s a look inside the book:
March 8, 2019
Two Nosy Crow books shortlisted for the 2019 Teach Primary Book Awards!
The shortlists have been announced for the 2019 Teach Primary Book Awards, and we’re delighted to see that both The Secret Diary of Kitty Cask, Smuggler’s Daughter, written by Philip Ardagh, illustrated by Jamie Littler, and published in partnership with the National Trust, and So You Think You’ve Got It Bad? A Kid’s Life in Ancient Egypt, written by Chae Strathie, illustrated by Marisa Morea, and published in partnership with the British Museum, have been recognised!
The Teach Primary Book Awards celebrate books that teachers will be able to recommend confidently to children and their parents, as well as use for inspirational classroom activities – shortlisted books were selected not only for their outstanding aesthetic appeal and sheer enjoyability, but also because of their potential to support learning both inside the classroom and beyond. The Secret Diary of Kitty Cask has been shortlisted in the Key Stage One category, and A Kid’s Life in Ancient Egypt in the Non-Fiction category.
Perfect for fans of Horrible Histories, The Secret Diary of Kitty Cask is the fourth instalment in the fantastic Secret Diaries series – combining great characters, exciting plot, and interesting, accessible historical facts woven into the story.
Kitty Cask is a smuggler’s daughter. In the Cornish coastal village of Minnock, Kitty and her family make their living as “free traders” – secretly bringing contraband goods into the country while evading the corrupt Redcoats who work for the King. Kitty isn’t supposed to be involved in any of her father’s schemes… but she’s very good at creeping out at night, and before too long she is caught in the thick of the action – salvaging shipwrecks, staging prison-breaks, and staying one step ahead of the tyrannical excisemen!
Here’s a look inside the book:
Developed in consultation with one of the world’s leading Egyptologists and written by award-winning author Chae Strathie, A Kid’s Life in Ancient Egypt is a fascinating and hilarious book exploring just how difficult life really was for children in ancient Egypt, from dodging Deathstalker scorpions to cleaning up cow dung! Brought to life with rich, humorous illustrations by newcomer Marisa Morea, this is a funny and accessible introduction to Ancient Egypt… and is probably the first book about ancient Egypt that involves bubble wrap and skateboards!
Here’s a look inside the book:
You can find out more about the Teach Primary Book Awards here. The winners of the awards will be announced later in the year – congratulations, Philip, Jamie, Chae, and Marisa!
The Secret Diary of Kitty Cask has been shortlisted for a 2019 Teach Primary Book Award!
The shortlists have been announced for the 2019 Teach Primary Book Awards, and we’re delighted to see that The Secret Diary of Kitty Cask, Smuggler’s Daughter, written by Philip Ardagh and illustrated by Jamie Littler and published in partnership with the National Trust, has been recognised!
Perfect for fans of Horrible Histories, The Secret Diary of Kitty Cask is the fourth instalment in the fantastic Secret Diaries series – combining great characters, exciting plot, and interesting, accessible historical facts woven into the story.
Kitty Cask is a smuggler’s daughter. In the Cornish coastal village of Minnock, Kitty and her family make their living as “free traders” – secretly bringing contraband goods into the country while evading the corrupt Redcoats who work for the King. Kitty isn’t supposed to be involved in any of her father’s schemes… but she’s very good at creeping out at night, and before too long she is caught in the thick of the action – salvaging shipwrecks, staging prison-breaks, and staying one step ahead of the tyrannical excisemen!
Here’s a look inside the book:
You can find out more about the Teach Primary Book Awards here. The winners of the awards will be announced later in the year – congratulations, Philip and Jamie!
March 6, 2019
It’s our March publication day!
It’s World Book Day… and it’s also our March publication day!
We’ve got some wonderful new books out this month – from brand new lift-the-flap and board books for babies and toddler, to beautiful new picture books and illustrated non-fiction, and incredible new fiction, there’s something for everyone.
You can watch our new books video at the top of this post, showcasing all of our brand new books – and here’s a closer look at what you can find in shops now from Nosy Crow.
A Book About Marley Bear at the Farm, illustrated by Melissa Crowton:
A Book About Ottie Elephant in the Town, illustrated by Melissa Crowton:
Bizzy Bear: Farmyard Fun, illustrated by Benji Davies:
Bizzy Bear: Playtime Park, illustrated by Benji Davies:
Bizzy Bear: DIY Day, illustrated by Benji Davies:
Get Out Of My Bath!, illustrated by Britta Teckentrup:
Fairy Tales: Goldilocks and the Three Bears, illustrated by Ed Bryan:
When a Dragon Comes to Stay, written by Caryl Hart and illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw:
British Museum: This or That?, written by Pippa Goodhart:
National Trust: Out and About Bird Spotter:
National Trust Busy Little Bees: Sunflower Shoots and Muddy Boots – A Child’s Guide to Gardening, written by Katherine Halligan and illustrated by Grace Easton:
National Trust: Who’s Hiding in the Woods?, illustrated by Katherine McEwen:
National Trust: Who’s Hiding at the Seaside?, illustrated by Katherine McEwen:
Rescue Princesses: The Amber Necklace, written by Paula Harrison:
Rescue Princesses: The Silver Locket, written by Paula Harrison:
Rescue Princesses: The Ice Diamond, written by Paula Harrison:
Rescue Princesses: The Rainbow Opal, written by Paula Harrison:
Rescue Princesses: The Golden Shell, written by Paula Harrison:
The Boy Who Flew, written by Fleur Hitchcock:
Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: The Aliens Are Coming!, written by Tracey Corderoy and illustrated by Steven Lenton:
Congratulations to all of today’s author and illustrators – and happy World Book Day!
March 4, 2019
When Good Geeks Go Bad is now available as an audiobook
Today we’re delighted to share a brand new audiobook edition of When Good Geeks Go Bad – the brilliantly funny new story from Catherine Wilkins, author of the much-loved My Best friend and Other Enemies series.
When Ella’s dad refuses to let her have cool school shoes or stay up later than 9:30, Ella decides to take things into her own hands. Being good hasn’t gotten her anywhere, so why not try being bad for a while? It certainly looks a lot more fun and what’s a few detentions here and there? But going bad is a slippery slope and soon things are starting to spiral out of control. Can Ella get things back on track? Or is she going to end up with egg on her face?
Hilariously narrated by Rosie Jones, you can buy the audiobook of Little Bird Flies from Audible, Amazon, and iTunes now – and you can listen to a preview of the audiobook below.
And you can also read the opening of the book below:
Nosy Crow's Blog
- Nosy Crow's profile
- 35 followers
