Publisher Spotlight Preview: Fall/Winter 2024 – Berbay, Child’s Play & Cicada, Difference Engine, Ablaze, and Floris

I’m feeling particularly engaged in today’s round-up of international books, presented to me by Publisher Spotlight’s own Ellen Myrick. You can find the first of these round-ups of small publishers here and the second here. Pay attention to this latest, though. I guarantee you’ll see something you like.

All In a Year by Chihiro Takeuchi

ISBN: 9781922610690

Publication Date: October 1, 2024

Perhaps you are familiar with Chihiro Takeuchi’s previous picture book All In a Day? It was a cute concept of showing everything that can happen in the course of 24 hours. In contrast, this book is a bit more ambitious and a little more rooted in Japanese culture. Expect a lot of festivals in here, as well as a look at the different seasons from a Japanese perspective. Fun Fact: The cut paper art is created using surgical scissors.

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Gus by Liz Murray, ill. Walid Serageldine

ISBN: 9781922610720

Publication Date: February 4, 2025

Okay. So this one is already one of my favorites. When they tell you that it pairs well with A Sick Day for Amos McGee, you’ll understand why. In this story, a baby crocodile sees a little kid and over the course of many many years that kid becomes his zookeeper. The two are absolute best buddies and they go through their lives together. Did you know that saltwater crocodiles can live as long as 120 years? I only mention it because after a while Gus doesn’t see his pal Edward as much anymore so he decides to go visit him in the nursing home. If you’re worried that at the end Edward dies and the rest of the book is about Gus coming to terms with that brief, shining candle aspect of our lives, don’t worry. Edward is perfectly fine at the end. Note: You absolutely MUST try to read this with an Australian accent. Trust me.

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Kende Kende Kende by Kirsten Cappy and Yaya Gentille, illustrated by Rahana Dariah

ISBN: 9781786289629

Publication Date: October 1, 2024

This one comes from the founder of the I’m Your Neighbor Books nonprofit (dedicated to creating welcoming libraries for new immigrants) alongside a member of the immigrant community. The entire story is about being a displaced person, and since co-author Yaya Gentille’s first language is Congolese French, as I understand it you will be able to get the book in both languages. In this story, a girl and her family discover that they have to leave their home suddenly and go to a refugee camp. Now in a lot of picture books with similar topics, the narrative would stop once the family comes to America. This book, however, continues to discuss how the family has to adapt to their new surroundings, climate, as well as a slew of new experiences. And, as ever, I have been assured that the educational materials in the extensive backmatter are going to be incredible for this. Excellent.

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Betty’s Birthday by Celine Ka Wing Lau

ISBN: 9781800660496

Publication Date: October 8, 2024

Oh, Richard Scarry, you knew not what you would inspire. Like his books, this one is the kind of title where there is just loads to see on every page. In the story, Betty has to figure out her outfit for her upcoming party. Interactive elements include question and answer prompts, the usual seek and find stuff, and so on. The creator, Celine Ka Wing Lau, is an editorial illustrator and graphic designer and this is her debut. My personal favorite moment in the book? When Aunty Cheryl arrives from Hong Kong. She’s clearly the best dressed person there.

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I Am a Potato by Ziggy Hanaor, ill. Elliot Kruszynski

ISBN: 9781800660519

Publication Date: September 3, 2024

Good cover! This next book contains an existential crisis of the rodent variety. If the author’s name sounds a bit familiar, then you may have seen a number of books she’s created, most recently The Egg Incident (though I’ve always preferred her Alte Zachen). In this particular story, Mouse declares he’s a potato and is swiftly told that he is not. As other animals attempt to help him narrow down what he might be, the book turns into a lesson in taxonomies.

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At the Top of the World: The Greatest Mountains on Earth (And How to Climb Them) by Robin Jacobs and Ed J. Brown

ISBN: 9781800660472

Publication Date: October 22, 2024

Sure, it’s about mountains, but it’s not just about mountains. With mountain climbing remaining such a huge sport all around the world, this book goes through the usual scientific questions of how they’re formed, but also talks about how one attacks the mountain one wishes to climb. You also learn mountaineering terms, summit routes, climbing gear, how to tie knots, etc. As for the mountains themselves, those listed in the book aren’t just the usual suspects. Definitely for fans of climbing, or armchair climbers.

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Amazing Ash and Superhero Ah Ma by Melanie Lee and Arif Rafhan

ISBN: 9789811450440

Publication Date: August 20, 2024

Ash is having a hard day. But after her grandmother lets her know that she has superhero powers? The day gets better. This is just your usual girl-and-grandma-fighting-crime story (the kind I wish we could see more often, quite frankly). I think the tagline I liked best for this book was, “Growing up and growing old is never easy—especially when you add in secrets and superpowers!” So while Ah Ma does occasionally forget things, Ash is very helpful and kind along the way.

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The Library Mule of Cordoba by Lupano and Chemineau

ISBN: 9781684972791

Publication Date: August 6, 2024

Who’s up for a 976 A.D. anti-book burning story? In 10th century Spain, the king died and left a child on the throne. While the child grows up, the radical clergy tell the interim ruler that he’ll need to burn 400,000 or so books for their support. Upon hearing this, a librarian and a copyist smuggle out the most important books on a “recalcitrant mule”. It’s a legend. It’s anti-book banning. It’s a graphic novel (the art is gorgeous). And quite frankly, it’s a little more timely than I would prefer. Bonus: It includes a discussion guide that covers the topics of censorship, freedom and, of course, banning.

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This Is My Treehouse by Guillaume Guéraud, ill. Alfred, translated by Polly Lawson

ISBN: 9781782508557

Publication Date: September 3, 2024

Time for the quiet books now. Don’t you just wanna live and ruminate in this treehouse? Once you look at this art for a while, you’ll understand why the publisher has already turned some of these spreads into posters. Translated from the French, it’s not a plot forward book, and that is a-okay. A celebration of one of those rare spaces that belong entirely to kids.

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Esma Farouk Lost in the Souk Lisa Boersen & Hasna Elbaamrani, illus. by Annelies Vandenbosch, translated by Polly Lawson

ISBN: 9781782508854

Publication Date: October 15, 2024

I remember years ago reading an old Calvin & Hobbes comic strip where Calvin follows the wrong mom in a crowded place. It’s truly a universal phenomenon, as this book is quick to tell us. Esma and her family go to visit another part of her family in Morocco. Everything is overwhelming, which Esma really enjoys, until suddenly the kid realizes she’s lost. The book provides a couple strategies for kids on what to do if you become lost like its heroine. Plus it’s fun to see a Moroccan souk presented in a contemporary way.

That’s it for this round! See you next time!

Filed under: Publisher Previews