Nosy Crow's Blog, page 78

Evie’s Ghost has won the East Sussex Children’s Book Award!

The winner of the 2018 East Sussex Children’s Book Award was announced yesterday, and we were absolutely delighted that Evie’s Ghost by Helen Peters took the prize!

This annual book award is presented by East Sussex Schools Library and Museum Service. Children whose schools have signed up to take part in the award have the chance to vote for their favourite fiction book from a shortlist – and we’re so thrilled to see such a wonderful book celebrated.

Part Gosford Park, part Charlotte Sometimes, and part The Go-Between, Evie’s Ghost is an absolutely brilliant time-slip story – spine-tingling, moving, funny and heartbreaking.

Evie’s been sent to stay with her ancient grandmother in an old creaky house in the middle of nowhere. Her phone is broken and she can’t believe how hugely unfair everything is.

Then, on the first night, Evie sees a strange, ghostly figure at the window. Spooked, she flees from the room, feeling oddly disembodied as she does so.

Out in the corridor, it’s 1814 and Evie finds herself dressed as a housemaid. Little does she know that she’ll need all her cunning to fix the past and stop everything falling apart in the future…

If you’ve not yet discovered the book, here’s a preview of the opening chapters of Evie’s Ghost:

Buy the book online.

And here’s Helen reading from the book:

Evie’s Ghost is also available as an audiobook – you can buy it online here.

Congratulations, Helen!

Take a first look inside A Goat Called Willow – the new book from Helen Peters

Next month we’re incredibly pleased to be publishing the sixth book in the wonderful Jasmine Green series, written by Helen Peters and illustrated by Ellie Snowdon: A Goat Called Willow. Finished copies of the book have just arrived in the office, and look BEAUTIFUL – and today, for the first time, you can read an exclusive extract from A Goat Called Willow!

Jasmine’s dad is a farmer, and her mum is a large-animal vet, so Jasmine spends a lot of time caring for animals and trying to keep them out of trouble. Unfortunately, this often means getting herself out of difficulty, too!

And in A Goat Called Willow, Jasmine has secretly rescued a baby goat. She’s gorgeous but she’s really naughty! Will her amazing antics persuade Jasmine’s parents to let her stay, or will Jasmine have to say goodbye to Willow for ever?

Brilliant story-telling that will make you laugh and cry, and beautifully illustrated by Ellie Snowdon, this is Dick King-Smith for a new generation.

Here’s a look inside the book:

And if you’re new to the Jasmine Green series, you can take a look inside the first book in the series, A Piglet Called Truffle, below:

A Goat Called Willow 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 the form below, and you’ll never miss a thing.

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Empathy Day

Today is Empathy Day: founded by EmpathyLab in 2017, Empathy Day focuses on using books as tool to build more understanding between us all – encouraging everyone to read, share books, and put empathy into action. To support the project, EmpathyLab have created a series of resources, guides, and reading lists for schools, libraries and bookshops – 50 library services are running Empathy Day activities, and several book shops and schools are trialling pilot schemes. You can find out more on the EmpathyLab website, here.

And to celebrate Empathy Day, we’ve come up with a list of some brilliant Nosy Crow books that demonstrate empathy – you can find out how to win copies of some of them below. And we’ve also asked some of our authors to suggest some of their favourite books that celebrate empathy and understanding.

Here are some of our own recommendations for Empathy Day reading:

Ella on the Outside by Cath Howe is a beautifully written middle grade debut, with an incredibly authentic voice, hugely relatable characters and relationships (with real psychological depth), and a gripping story with heart and warmth. Here’s a look inside the book:

Buy the book online.

Running on Empty by S. E. Durrant is a beautifully told story of unorthodox families, grief, adolescence and running. The Sunday Times called the book “Lyrical, moving and realistic … With a rich and diverse cast, it sings.” Here’s a look inside:

Buy the book online.

Splash, by Charli Howard, is a hugely exciting debut with a classic underdog story, a wonderfully relatable protagonist, and an important message of friendship, body positivity, and celebrating who you are. Publishing in July, you can take an early look inside the book below:

Pre-order the book online.

And combining cutting-edge science, gripping adventure and real heart, The Infinite Lives of Maisie Day by Christopher Edge is a mind-bending mystery for 9+ readers, perfect for fans of Frank Cottrell Boyce, Ross Welford, and Neil Gaiman. The Guardian called the book “a heartbreaking, head-melting science fiction mystery … Huge ideas – gravity, relativity, time and space – interweave seamlessly with themes of sibling jealousy and familial love; slim yet super-dense, it’s another unforgettable offering from the author of The Many Worlds of Albie Bright”. Here’s a look inside the book:

Buy the book online.

And here are some of our authors’ own recommendations for Empathy Day.

Chosen by S. E. Durrant, author of Little Bits of Sky and Running on Empty:

One of my favourite books as a child was The Silver Sword by Ian Serraillier. The Silver Sword follows four children, alone in Warsaw in World War Two, who travel to Switzerland in the hope of reuniting with family. Reading it as a child, I was amazed that I could enter a world which was so different from my own and where children were facing such terrible dangers. The children’s experience was an eye-opener to me, as was their stoicism and courage.

I also recommend The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon. This book plunges the reader into the life and world view of Christopher, a fifteen year old boy with Asperger’s Syndrome, as he tries to make sense of unexpected events. Written in the first person, Christopher’s way of thinking and his experience of being different is very thought provoking.

For early readers, The Sneetches by Dr Seuss is a powerful introduction to discrimination. The Star-Bellied Sneetches are considered superior to the Plain-Bellied Sneetches but when the Fix-it-Up Chappie offers to put stars on the bellies of the Plain-Bellied Sneetches (at a cost) things unravel. The Sneetches try to differentiate themselves by having their stars removed and replaced until no-one can tell who is who, the only winner being the Fix-it-Up Chappie who has earned all their money. Ultimately the Sneetches decide to settle for just being Sneetches, stars or otherwise.

Chosen by Cath Howe, author of Ella on the Outside:

The Boy in the Tower by Polly Ho-Yen – Really interested by the bleakness of the world and the power of people getting together to support each other. I liked the mix of generations and the way some characters step up to defend someone they don’t even know. Hugely empathetic ending.

Too Small to Fail by Morris Gleizman – Boy from a rich home who longs for a dog. Incredible range of characters and warmth at the heart of this book. The way people are generous and open- hearted. Gleizman has such a light touch and humour.

The Imaginary by A.F. Harrold – Really explores idea of what it means to be loyal to someone. Hard to combine comic with incredible force of some of the ideas, but this book achieves it.

Little Bits Of Sky by S.E. Durrant – I think there’s a theme of altruism running through my choices. This book perfectly captures the longing for home and kindness shown to these two children. The reader is taught to believe in small miracles and changes that make the world better.

Chosen by Christopher Edge, author of The Many Worlds of Albie Bright, The Jamie Drake  Equation, and The Infinite Lives of Maisie Day:

Books are empathy machines, but for me three stories that showcase this quality best are Thunder and Lightnings by Jan Mark, Millions by Frank Cottrell Boyce, and Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson.

Thunder and Lightnings is a story about a boy called Andrew who moves to a new school and meets a boy called Victor, who is obsessed by the Lightning jets which fly from the nearby RAF base. A wonderful depiction of friendship and the interests and obsessions that sometimes drive this.

Millions by Frank Cottrell Boyce is a beautiful story about two brothers, Damian and Anthony, and the two very different ways they cope with the death of their mother and the sudden arrival of a large bag of cash. A novel that shows how grief can twist our lives into different shapes, but also how love can guide us through.

And finally Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson is a glorious comic strip which was a childhood favourite, but re-reading these strips as a parent has been a poignant experience as I often find myself empathising with Calvin’s mum and dad.

And we’re also giving away copies of some of our favourite empathy-inspiring reads to celebrate Empathy Day! You can win a book bundle containing Ella on the Outside, Running on Empty, and The Infinite Lives of Maisie Day – head over to the @NosyCrowBooks Twitter feed for more information.

You can find out more about Empathy Day on the EmpathyLab website, here – if you’re taking part, we’d love to hear about it!

The verdict on the latest Nosy Crow Masterclass, How to Write Picture Books

Our latest Nosy Crow Masterclass took place on Saturday – How to Write Picture Books – and it was another fantastically creative, inspiring, and informative day, filled with advice, lessons and guidance on writing picture books. The day included brilliant sessions from Nosy Crow’s Managing Director, Kate Wilson, literary agent Louise Lamont and Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam and Hubble Bubble, Granny Trouble author Tracey Corderoy. And as well as these individual talks, we also offered one-to-one manuscript critiques to all of our attendees, along with lunch, wine, and lots more. And here’s what some of our attendees said on Twitter and Facebook afterwards:

Still buzzing from yesterday's #PB masterclass hosted by the fabulously funny @NosyCrow of @NosyCrowBooks. With invaluable #writerslife experience from @TraceyCorderoy & #amquerying gems from @LLMonts, the day was a PB writer's dream!

Now to get cracking on those rewrites…

— Nadia Writes (@writenadiawrite) June 10, 2018

Thank you to @NosyCrow for another wonderful masterclass yesterday. It was great to meet @lauren_d_murray and to see the lovely @TraceyCorderoy and #louiselamont again. Not forgetting the rest of the fab Nosy Crow team!

— Leonie Roberts (@leonierobertsuk) June 10, 2018

@TraceyCorderoy Thank you for the great talk you gave at @NosyCrow yesterday. It was very inspiring!

— Claire Hutton (@claire_hutton1) June 9, 2018

A fun, informative and full-on day at the Nosy Crow PB Masterclass! Many thanks @NosyCrow @TraceyCorderoy @LLMonts! Additional entertainment and crowd-pleasing interruptions provided by @NosyCrowDog “Etty” . If only I’d brought some Bonios along…

— Frances Tosdevin (@FrancesTosdevin) June 9, 2018

Huge thanks to the @NosyCrow team for their picture book masterclass today. Great to hear from people who are so passionate about what they do.

— Emma Gladding (@WoodenDonkey) June 9, 2018

Thank you @NosyCrow, @LLMonts and @TraceyCorderoy for an inspiring and informative masterclass #PictureBooks

— Emily Ann Davison (@emilyanndavison) June 9, 2018

Buzzing with excitement after an all day picture book writing/publishing masterclass in London at @NosyCrow, led by their MD Kate Wilson. Learned more in 6 hours than the last 6 months under my own steam. Also check out these original pieces on the wall! pic.twitter.com/cMbIuPL9la

— Gillian Gamble (@GillGamble) June 9, 2018

I’ve spent an amazing day @NosyCrow with Kate Wilson and Tom, learning more about writing picture books. I’m really hoping they’ll like my Rainbow Owls series! https://t.co/v81D98p4yK I’d love to be published by Nosy Crow – love their ethos.

— Kit Berry (@Kit_Berry) June 9, 2018

Such an exciting day @NosyCrow today #nosycrow pic.twitter.com/kLy1qnFxsG

— Dr Pragya Agarwal (@hedgehogprints) June 9, 2018

As with our previous Masterclasses, this was a sold-out day (with a long waiting list). Our next Masterclass will be taking place later in the year: tickets aren’t on sale yet, but if you’re interested in attending, you can sign up to our newsletter below, and you’ll be the first to hear as soon as any new dates are confirmed.

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Come and work for Nosy Crow: we’re hiring a Senior Picture Book Editor

We’re looking for a creative, committed, talented and flexible Senior Picture Book Editor.  Working closely with the Head of Picture Books and our excellent design team, you will be commissioning and project managing your own titles, as well as working with authors and illustrators that Nosy Crow is already proud to publish. You’ll be passionate about children’s books, with a good understanding of both the UK and international markets, and you’ll be committed to making high-quality, commercial titles that stand out from the crowd and have strong child-appeal.

At Nosy Crow, we are very proud of our editorial team and the quality of our books. We aim to make Nosy Crow an environment where editors truly thrive, where they can do their best work, where they are listened to, and where they feel part of the whole company and of our decision-making.

We want someone who can spot a text with potential at a hundred paces and then turn it into a GREAT text. We hope that you’re not afraid of a bit of writing – a creative spark would be great! – and are bursting with ideas for new titles. As this is a Senior Editor position, we also expect that you will have experience of working with agents as well as excellent author care skills. This job involves finding new talent, as well as working with experienced authors and artists; commissioning; and relationship management as well as making sure that words and pictures are combined on the page as meaningfully and beautifully as possible.

This is a full-time role, but, for the right candidate, we can be flexible. We’d want you to be in our office near London Bridge for at least three days per week.

For this role:

Candidates must have the right to live and work in the UK.
Please send a CV and cover letter to Louise Bolongaro (louise@nosycrow.com).
The closing date for application is 1 July at midnight.

 

Nosy Crow is an equal opportunities employer. We believe that employing a diverse workforce is an important factor in success and make recruiting decisions based on applicants’ experience and skills. We welcome applications from all members of society irrespective of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief.

 

It’s our June publication day!

It’s our June publication day! We’ve got a fantastic collection of new books out this month – with wonderful new novelty, non-fiction, picture books, illustrated fiction and middle grade, there’s something for everyone. Here’s what you can find in shops from Nosy Crow now.

We’re publishing two new books in the Lois and Bob lift-the-flap board book series, illustrated by Gerry Turley, today: Lois looks for Bob at the Seaside and Lois looks for Bob at the Museum. With retro-cool illustrations and funny animal characters, little readers will love helping Lois search for her friend Bob behind the big, bold flaps, and meeting their friends along the way!

Buy the book.

Buy the book.

What Does An Anteater Eat? is out today – the brand new picture book from award-winning Ross Collins, author-illustrator of There’s a Bear on My Chair and This Zoo is Not For You, and A DELIGHTFULLY silly tale, full of lovable animal characters and with a fantastically funny ending, that little ones will return to again and again.

Here’s a look inside the book:

Buy the book.

It’s publication day for Complete Minibeast Explorer’s Kit with the National Trust – perfect for budding wildlife explorers, this backpack encourages children to get outside and explore the fascinating world of minibeasts! From beetles to butterflies and spiders to slugs, children can use their very own magnifying bug collector to take a closer look at all kinds of creepy-crawlies. The explorer’s guidebook is packed with useful information about how to identify creatures whilst out and about, plus facts about lifecycles, habitats and much, much more. This complete kit is the perfect introduction to all things creepy-crawly, for children aged 6+!

Buy the book.

Press Out and Decorate: Flamingos, Llamas and Other Cool Things, illustrated by Kate McLelland, is out now: from cool llamas to tropical flamingos, and cactuses and pineapples too, these press-out pieces are outstanding in white and turquoise, but look even better as a colourful collection of cool things. Featuring 20 unique designs, the press-out pieces can be slotted together to create super-cool three-dimensional ornaments or threaded together to make a hanging garland. Each press-out design is intricately decorated with turquoise foil and perfect for all ages to decorate.

Buy the book.

It’s publication day for Welcome to Our World, written by Moira Butterfield and illustrated by Harriet Lynas: find out how children live all around the world in this beautifully illustrated book packed full of fun facts – a celebration of children everywhere. In this wonderful book, young children can learn all about what people in other countries eat, wear and play, and how they speak and celebrate. From breakfasts to birthdays, cakes to clothes, and hiccups to hellos, there are so many ways to say and do things – but everyone shares a love of family, friends, food and fun. This delightful book teaches us that despite different languages, customs and traditions, it really is a small world, after all.

Here’s a look inside Welcome to Our World:

Buy the book.

Unicorn Academy: Isabel and Cloud, written by Julie Sykes and illustrated by Lucy Truman, is in shops from today – the fourth fantastic book in the magical Unicorn Academy series. Someone has cast a bad spell on Sparkle Lake, and Isabel and Cloud will have to learn to trust each other as they go on a dangerous adventure to save the school…

Here’s a look inside the book:

Buy the book.

And finally, we’re publishing My Arch-Enemy is a Brain in a Jar this month – the fourth incredible book in the award-winning, best-selling My Brother is a Superhero series by David Solomons. Luke and his brother have swapped bodies by accident. Zack’s got Luke’s weird feet while Luke has Zack’s SUPERPOWERS! Now he needs another world-threatening adventure to try them out. Could a family mini-break at Great Minds Leisure Park be his chance? Probably, because that’s where his super-clever arch-enemy lurks, fermenting dastardly plans and bubbling gently… Exciting, hilarious and heart-warming in equal measure, this is another fantastic instalment in the My Brother is a Superhero series.

Here’s a look inside book:

Buy the book.

Congratulations to all of this month’s authors and illustrators!

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 the form below, and you’ll never miss a thing:

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The next Nosy Crow Reading Group is almost here – we’re discussing The Song from Somewhere Else

The Nosy Crow Reading Group will be back in a couple of weeks – we’ll be discussing the Kate Greenaway Medal-shortlisted The Song from Somewhere Else, written by A. F. Harrold and illustrated by Levi Pinfold.

And if you’re interested in coming along, there are just a couple of places remaining!

We’ll be meeting on Monday, June 25th at 6.30pm, at the Nosy Crow offices – 14 Baden Place, Crosby Row, SE1 1YW – for a discussion of the book (along with wine and crisps).

If you’d like to come along, just register for a place with the form below, or at this page – if the reading group becomes fully booked, you can add your name to our waiting list, and we’ll notify you if a place opens up.

You can buy The Song from Somewhere Else online from Waterstones here.

We hope to see you there!

Take a first look inside A Chase in Time – a brand new series by Sally Nicholls

This August we’re thrilled to be publishing A Chase in Time – the first book in an action-packed new series written by Sally Nicholls, winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, and with artwork by Britt Helquist, illustrator of Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events.

And today we’re delighted to share an exclusive preview of A Chase in Time – you can read the first chapter of the new book here!

The old gilt-edged mirror has hung in Alex’s aunt’s house for as long as he can remember. Alex hardly notices it, until the day he and his sister are pulled through the mirror, back into 1912. It’s the same house, but a very different place to live, and the people they meet need their help. Soon they’re caught up in car chases and treasure hunts as they race to find a priceless golden cup – but will they ever be able to return to their own time?

From multi-award-winning author Sally Nicholls, A Chase in Time is the first in a brilliant time-slip adventure series for 7+ readers, beautifully illustrated by Brett Helquist.

And here’s a look inside the book:

A Chase in Time will be in shops from the beginning of August – 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 the form below, and you’ll never miss a thing:

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There’s a Werewolf in my Tent has been shortlisted for a Laugh Out Loud Book Award!

The shortlists for the 2018 Laugh Out Loud Book Awards (Lollies) have been revealed, and we are absolutely thrilled that There’s a Werewolf in my Tent, written by  Pamela Butchart and illustrated by Thomas Flintham, has been recognised in the 6-8 category!

The Lollies were created especially to celebrate the very funniest and most engaging books in children’s fiction – and we are so pleased that There’s a Werewolf in my Tent has been shortlisted.

The sixth book in the HILARIOUS, award-winning Baby Aliens… series, There’s a Werewolf in my Tent is laugh-out-loud funny fiction that perfectly captures the craziness of primary school.

Izzy and her friends are SO EXCITED about their school trip. They’re going camping and there’ll be marshmallows and no washing and everything. But then WEIRD things start happening! There’s howling sounds at night and some sausages have gone missing, and it’s nearly a full moon. . . But it’s when they see their new teacher’s hairy legs that they KNOW! There’s a werewolf on the school trip and they’re all DOOMED!

If you’ve not yet discovered the book, you can take a look inside There’s a Werewolf in my Tent below:

Buy the book online.

The final winners of the Lollies will be picked by school pupils and announced in January 2019 – good luck, Pamela and Thomas!

Take a look inside Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: The Missing Masterpiece

This July we’re delighted to be publishing Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: The Missing Masterpiece – the fourth picture book in the wonderful Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam series, written by Tracey Corderoy and illustrated by Steven Lenton. Finished copies have just arrived in the office – and today we’re very pleased to share a first look inside the new book!

Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam have made it to the magical streets of Paris, baking a spectacular gingerbread Eiffel Tower for a VERY important art exhibition at ‘Galerie Bonbon’. But – quelle horreur! – a sneaky fox has made off across the Seine with the precious masterpiece. Will Shifty and Sam EVER catch the dastardly Cunningham Sly and dish up their tasty tower in time?

With action-packed comic detail and a fun, rhyming text, this is another picture book winner.

Here’s a look inside The Missing Masterpiece:

Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: The Missing Masterpiece will be in shops from the beginning of July – you can pre-order 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 the form below, and you’ll never miss a thing:

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