Nosy Crow's Blog, page 81
May 3, 2018
Our May Books have arrived!
Our new batch of May books are published TODAY – from interactive novelty and non-fiction, to picture books and middle grade fiction, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a look at what you can find in shops now:
To kick things off, we have published a duo of new Sound-Button Stories, illustrated by the marvellous Nikki Dyson. Follow Elsie Elephant and Monty Monkey as they go on adventures and cause havoc in their native jungles and savannahs. These chunky board books are filled with a hilarious rhyming text, stunning illustrations, and a big sound button that children will love pressing again and again… and there’s a handy on/off function, too! Their sturdy format and rounded corners make these ideal for lively toddlers.
To complete our set of sound-books out today, we’re so excited to publish Happy Birthday to You! is publishing soon! Inside you’ll find the lyrics and tune of Happy Birthday in a charming gift board book, including a sound-button on every spread and a light-up birthday candle on the very last page! Follow the cute animals musicians as they make their way to Little Otter’s birthday bash – and they’ve all brought their instruments for a surprise celebration. Press the buttons to hear them play their different instruments… and join in with the band for a very special Happy Birthday! Illustrated by Nicola Slater, the illustrator of the new Hello… series, this is a perfect book to gift and to treasure.
For our youngest Pip and Posy fans, the wait is over – we’ve just published Axel Scheffler’s Pip and Posy: The New Friend in a new board book format. Pip and Posy are having a lovely day at the seaside, but when Posy takes a nap, Pip makes friends with a boy called Zac. Zac is very cool AND he’s really good at handstands, so to her dismay, Posy finds that Pip is more interested in playing with his new friend than her…
Look inside:
Next up is Oh Me, Oh My, A Pie!, the first of two picture books publishing TODAY, and a brand new story written and illustrated by the multi-award-winning Jan Fearnley. A nice old grandma bakes a pie, but – oh me, oh my! – that yummy treat is stolen by a greedy fox, then lost and found by a mouse, snatched by a cat, grabbed by a dog, and plucked away by an owl… Oh me, oh my! Will those naughty animals learn to share? … And will Grandma ever get her pie back? A fantastically funny, rhyming story.
Look inside:
This Zoo is Not for You is publishing today in paperback! When a small platypus visits the zoo, the animals all assume he has come about the vacancy, and he is swiftly taken through a rigorous interview process. But the platypus is far too bland for the chameleons, not graceful enough for the flamingos, and his tricks will never impress the monkeys. But hang on – why did the Platypus REALLY come to the zoo? Get ready for a rollicking rhyming picture book about acceptance, belonging, and throwing really great parties, too! Written and illustrated by the award-winning Ross Collins, the creator of the marvellous There’s A Bear On My Chair, this book’s sure not to disappoint!
Look inside:
Summer’s almost here, and it’s the perfect time for Go Wild on the River, an awesome adventure handbook written by Goldie Hawk, wonderfully illustrated by Racheal Saunders, and published today in collaboration with The National Trust. Young adventurers are sure to love this funny and informative, pocket-sized guide to exploring rivers. Learn what to pack, how to spot river animals and wildlife, how to build your own raft, how to catch fish, and much, much more!
Look inside:
Our second National Trust title publishing today is an interactive sticker-book, lavishly illustrated by Nikki Dyson. Sharks, Seahorses and other British Sea Creatures is the third in a glorious sticker book series, and is brimming with facts about weird and wonderful sea creatures and their homes. With four pages of wildlife stickers, you can stick the porpoises in the harbour, fill the rock pools with sea urchins, add an octopus to his underwater cave and much, much more! An excellent and interactive introduction to all types of sea creatures for the very young.
Find out more
Indigo Island, the third and final instalment in Susan Moore’s action-packed adventure-driven Nat Walker trilogy is finally here! Nat has faithfully followed the clues her father has left her from beyond the grave, and she is closing in on the prize. Soon, all will become clear and her future path determined. But it will be a dangerous one, and not for the faint hearted… This is a thrilling story, full of action and adventure.
Look inside:
Finally, we’re delighted to publish Ella on the Outside today, a gripping debut written by Cath Howe. With hugely relatable relationships and an incredibly authentic voice, it’s ideal for fans of Jacqueline Wilson and Cathy Cassidy. Ella is the new girl at school. She doesn’t know anyone and she doesn’t have any friends. And she has a terrible secret. Ella can’t believe her luck when Lydia, the most popular girl in school, decides to be her new best friend – but what does Lydia really want? And what does it have to do with Molly, the quiet, shy girl who won’t talk to anyone? A gripping story of secrets, lies, and friendship, from an exciting new voice.
Read the first few chapters, here:
Congratulations to all of today’s authors and illustrators!
May 1, 2018
That Bear Can’t Babysit is shortlisted for Oscar’s Book Prize
The shortlist for this year’s Oscar’s Book Prize has been announced, and we’re thrilled to see our picture book That Bear Can’t Babysit, written by Ruth Quayle and illustrated by Alison Friend, recognised as one of five books in the running for the award!
Now in its fifth year, Oscar’s Book Prize was established by the London Evening Standard in memory of Oscar Ashton, the son of the paper’s executive editor, James Ashton, who died in 2012 at the age of three-and-a-half. Supported by Amazon, the London Evening Standard, and the National Literacy Trust, the £5,000 prize seeks to recognise the best pre-school book of the year, and is intended to reward the brilliant creativity of early-years literature and highlight the importance of reading with children.
And we are delighted that That Bear Can’t Babysit has made the shortlist!
A charming and hilarious story of bunny mischief, with beautifully detailed illustrations, That Bear Can’t Babysit is perfect for all young children who’ve ever teased a babysitter or refused to go to bed.
When Mr and Mrs Burrow advertise for a babysitter, they are NOT expecting Bear. And Bear is NOT expecting seven little bunnies who are full of mischief. The bunnies persuade Bear to let them read a scary book, eat sweets and go crazy with the garden hose – with disastrous results! But when the bunnies find Bear getting ready to sail in a make-believe ship, maybe he isn’t such a bad babysitter after all. When Mr and Mrs Burrow return, the bunnies are peacefully tucked up in bed . . . Well, almost all of them!
Here’s a look inside the book:
You can find out more about Oscar’s Book Prize here. The winner of the prize will be announced at an awards ceremony at St James’s Palace in London on 14 May – congratulations, Ruth and Alison, and good luck!
April 30, 2018
Come to the next Nosy Crow Reading Group – we’re discussing The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson
Would you like to come along to the next Nosy Crow Reading Group?
In May, we’ll be discussing The House with Chicken Legs, by Sophie Anderson
We’ll be meeting on Monday, May 21st 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.
You can buy The House with Chicken Legs online from Waterstones here.
We hope you can join us!
April 27, 2018
How to Write Picture Books: tickets for our next Masterclass are on sale now!
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 June 9th, here at the Nosy Crow office (14 Baden Place, Crosby Row, London SE1 1YW), and Early Bird and Saver tickets are available now.
Ticket price includes lunch, tea and coffee breaks throughout the day, 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!
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April 26, 2018
Our seventh incredible fairytale app, Hansel and Gretel, is out today
We are very proud: our seventh fairytale app, Hansel and Gretel, is out today, and you can download it from the App Store now.
It’s the classic story of Hansel and Gretel, as you’ve never seen it before: an incredible, interactive, 21st-century reading experience.
With beautiful artwork, stunning animation, ingenious, playful forms of interactivity, original music, voice work and sound effects, and lots more, this is a truly unique story app.
You can watch our trailer for the app at the top of this post – and here’s another short preview:
Hansel and Gretel includes lots of great features, imaginative forms of interactivity, and wonderful storytelling – including:
Drop pebbles in the forest to find your way back to Hansel and Gretel’s cottage
Explore the forest maze to reach the gingerbread house
Discover the witch’s gingerbread house – filled with tasks and puzzles
Help Gretel complete tasks to fetch ingredients for the witch
Save Hansel and Gretel from the witch – and escape from the gingerbread house
Tap, swipe, drag, and tilt to explore every scene!
Here’s what to look for on the App Store:
We hope you enjoy the app!
Our new May books are almost here!
There are some super new books from Nosy Crow coming out next month – from interactive novelty and non-fiction, to picture books and middle grade fiction, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a look at what you can find in shops in May:
To kick things off, we have a duo of new Sound-Button Stories, illustrated by the marvellous Nikki Dyson. Follow Elsie Elephant and Monty Monkey as they go on adventures and cause havoc in their native jungles and savannahs. These chunky board books are filled with hilarious rhyming text, stunning illustrations, and a big sound button that children will love pressing again and again! Parents – I know what you’re thinking, and not to worry! There’s a handy on-off function, too! Their sturdy format and rounded corners make these ideal for lively toddlers!
To complete our set of sound-books out this month, we’re so excited to say that Happy Birthday to You! is publishing soon! Inside you’ll find the lyrics and tune of Happy Birthday in a charming gift board book, including a sound-button on every spread and a light-up birthday candle on the very last page! Follow the cute animals musicians as they make their way to Little Otter’s birthday bash! They’re all brought their instruments for a surprise celebration. Press the buttons to hear them play their different instruments… and join in with the band for a very special Happy Birthday! Illustrated by Nicola Slater, the illustrator of the new Hello… series, this is a perfect book to gift and to treasure!
To our youngest Pip and Posy fans, the wait is over! We’re going to publish Axel Scheffler‘s Pip and Posy: The New Friend in a new board book format in just a few days time! Pip and Posy are having a lovely day at the seaside, but when Posy takes a nap, Pip makes friends with a boy called Zac. Zac is very cool AND he’s really good at handstands, so to her dismay, Posy finds that Pip is more interested in playing with his new friend than her… A funny, summer-time story about working out that two’s company and three’s a… PARTY!
Look inside:
Next up is Oh Me, Oh My, A Pie!, the first of two picture books publishing in May, and a brand new story written and illustrated by the multi-award-winning Jan Fearnley. A nice old grandma bakes a pie, but – oh me, oh my! – that yummy treat is stolen by a greedy fix, then lost and found by a mouse, snatched by a cat, grabbed by a dog, and plucked away by an owl… Oh me, oh my! Will those naughty animals learn to share? … And will Grandma ever get her pie back? A fantastically funny, rhyming story.
Look inside:
This Zoo is Not for You is publishing soon in paperback! When a small platypus visits the zoo, the animals all assume he has come about the vacancy and he is swiftly taken through a rigorous interview process. But the platypus is far too bland or the chameleons, not graceful enough for the flamingos and his tricks will never impress the monkeys. But hang on – why did the Platypus REALLY come to the zoo? Get ready for a rollicking rhyming picture book about acceptance, belonging, and throwing really cool rock ‘n’ roll parties, too! Written and illustrated by the award-winning Ross Collins, the creator of the marvellous There’s A Bear On My Chair, this book’s sure not to disappoint!
Look inside:
Summer’s almost here, and I don’t know about you, but I’m raring to explore the great outdoors without all those woolly layers! Enter: Go Wild on the River, an awesome adventure handbook written by Goldie Hawk, wonderfully illustrated by Racheal Saunders, and published in collaboration with The National Trust. Young adventurers are sure to love this funny and informative, pocket-sized guide to exploring rivers. Learn what to pack, how to spot river animals and wildlife, how to build your own raft, how to catch fish, and much, much more!
Look inside:
Our second National Trust title is an interactive sticker-book, lavishly illustrated by Nikki Dyson. Sharks, Seahorses and other British Sea Creatures is the third in a glorious sticker book series, and is brimming with facts about weird and wonderful sea creatures and their homes. With four pages of wildlife stickers, you can stick the porpoises in the harbour, fill the rock pools with sea urchins, add an octopus to his underwater cave and much, much more! An excellent and interactive introduction to all types of sea creatures for the very young.Find out more
Indigo Island, the third and final instalment in the action-packed Susan Moore‘s adventure-driven Nat Walker trilogy is publishing soon! Nat has faithfully followed the clues her father has left her from beyond the grave, and she is closing in on the prize. Soon, all will become clear and her future path determined. But it will be a dangerous one, and not for the faint hearted… This is a page-turningly thrilling story, full of action and adventure, from Susan Moore, who spent many years working in the extraordinary, futuristic world of Lucasfilm and the Skywalker Ranch.
Look inside:
Finally, we’re delighted to publish Ella on the Outside, a gripping debut written by Cath Howe. With hugely relatable relationships and an incredibly authentic voice, it’s ideal for fans of Jacqueline Wilson and Cathy Cassidy. Ella is the new girl at school. She doesn’t know anyone and she doesn’t have any friends. And she has a terrible secret. Ella can’t believe her luck when Lydia, the most popular girl in the school, decides to be her new best friend – but what does Lydia really want? And what does it have to do with Molly, the quiet, shy girl who won’t talk to anyone? A gripping story of secrets, lies, and friendship from an exciting new voice.
Read the first few chapters, here:
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 the form below – you’ll never miss a thing!
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April 25, 2018
Maisie Day explains… Entropy
Last week we launched a new series of science explainer videos, narrated by Maisie Day, hero of The Infinite Lives of Maisie Day, the new book by Christopher Edge, award-winning author of The Many Worlds of Albie Bright and The Jamie Drake Equation.
And today we’re delighted to share the second instalment in the series – Maisie Day explains Entropy!
You can watch the video at the top of this post – and if you’ve not yet discovered The Infinite Lives of Maisie Day, you can take a look inside the book below:
And here’s the previous video in our explainer series – Maisie Day explains The Big Bang:
A mind-bending mystery for 9+ readers combining cutting-edge science, gripping adventure and real heart, The Times named The Infinite Lives of Maisie Day their Children’s Book of the Week, writing: “Wow, I wish Christopher Edge had been my science teacher. The writer, who in timely fashion nods to Stephen Hawking early in this gripping story, has a magical way of distilling difficult concepts for the very young: relativity, gravity, time and space, infinity. It helps, of course, that he weaves these ideas into a high-energy thriller about virtual reality, black holes and strained sibling relationships.”
You can watch our trailer for the book below:
We’ll be sharing the final two science explainer videos on Monday – keep an eye on this blog!
April 24, 2018
The Nosy Crow Masterclass is returning soon
Today we are very happy to announce the return of the Nosy Crow Masterclasses.
Our last, sold-out Masterclass took place in January, and the Masterclass programme has been on hiatus since then.
And we’re very pleased to say that we’ll be holding our next Masterclass, another edition of our hugely popular How to Write Picture Books event, on June 9th.
We’ll be announcing the programme and line-up of speakers for the Masterclass, along with information on buying tickets, on Friday.
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 the best way of securing your place.
We hope to see you there!
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April 23, 2018
Fifty years of selling books around the world
On Saturday we were delighted to announce that we had received a Queen’s Award for Enterprise. We were surprised that no other publisher had received one in the last five years and were proud to be a winner.
The UK book publishing industry is a great exporter and I’ve been involved in being part of that for longer than I care to remember. I’ve been selling books outside the UK ever since I started in publishing 50 years ago; selling books to a tiny independent bookseller; starting publishing companies in countries as diverse as Hungary, Japan and Mexico; building publishing companies;; sitting in a minister of education’s outer office for what seemed like days in searing heat; arriving in a tropical suit for an urgent meeting in Chicago in sub zero temperatures; meeting world figures like Indira Gandhi and Deng Xiao Ping; drinking tequila, Mao Tai, Bloody Marys on the aeroplanes; eating huitlacoche, hundred-year eggs, kusaya; calculating margins on a slide rule; fixing the fax machine; shivering in Outer Mongolia with a hot water bottle and six quilts.
And what stands out is the joy – the joy of meeting new people from different cultures, establishing bonds with them, and talking about a product whose virtues you can really believe in – the book. Then the thrill, the realisation that they have bought in to it too, and that together you will sell one copy, or 200,000, of something that will educate, entertain or inform.
Selling internationally isn’t easy – you do need to have empathy and you do need to have precision, particularly when you are dealing with people whose language isn’t yours and in which you can only manage a couple of words. You need to understand when yes means no. And you do need to follow through on what you have promised. But if you can do that, there is nothing more pleasurable and rewarding.
So I was particularly pleased when Nosy Crow received the Queen’s Award for International Trade. It’s been the fastest export growth rate of any company I’ve been involved with. We are still small, but the Nosy Crow brand has become internationally recognised and we can be proud of the products we produce. We love our partners outside the UK and look forward to establishing more partnerships.
And we look forward to the next Queen’s Award!
April 21, 2018
Nosy Crow wins Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade
Today, the Queen’s birthday, Nosy Crow has won a coveted Queen’s Award for Enterprise. The International Trade award is given to those companies who have achieved remarkable increases in international sales in the last three years. No other book publisher currently holds a Queen’s Award: they are held by recipients for five years.
The UK publishing industry is global in its outlook and remarkable in its success, with exports generating 57% (£2.9bn) of total publishing revenues. The UK is also the largest exporter of physical books in the world, with a 17% share of world exports, more than the United States (16%), Germany (10%) and China (8%). So, given the competition from the rest of the industry, Nosy Crow is honoured to have been singled out for the Award.
Nosy Crow’s sales have grown worldwide, trebling over the three-year period in question, and the publisher is particularly pleased with the remarkable growth in the USA, continental Europe and Asia, particularly China. This is Nosy Crow’s third award in 2018 for international trade; already the recipient of the International Publishing Guild’s 2018 International Achievement Award – an award it has won twice previously – the company was listed as the sole publisher on the annual Sunday Times Lloyds SME Export Track 100 list in February.
Kate Wilson, Nosy Crow Managing Director, said: “We owe a debt to Candlewick Press in the USA, Allen and Unwin in Australia and New Zealand, and our many co-publishing and translation rights publisher customers in Western and Eastern Europe, China and Japan for their support and enthusiasm for the books we publish. But, above all, we thank our authors and illustrators, and the dedicated team at Nosy Crow, for producing great books which so many children across the world want to read.”
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