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Book Island launches picture book with acclaimed Bristol-based illustrator Owen Gent

Book Island launches picture book with acclaimed Bristol-based illustrator Owen Gent A beautiful story about the importance of looking up, paying attention and sharing adventures   When ordering two giclée prints from illustrator Owen Gent’s website in full lockdown, Book Island publisher Greet Pauwelijn couldn’t have imagined her purchase would lead to the publication of ‘That’s Nice, Love’, a new beautiful and meaningful picture book for their front list. Owen Gent’s illustrations are admired by tens of thousands of followers around the world. His artwork appears on the covers of books by internationally-acclaimed authors such as Bill Bryson, Thomas Hardy,...

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HOW TO APPROACH A PICTURE BOOK PUBLISHER AND GET NOTICED

10 TIPS THAT MIGHT HELP YOU GET PUBLISHED You’ve written a children’s story and would love to get it published. There are hundreds of small publishers in the UK, who all have one thing in common: they’re extremely time-poor. If you want to get their attention, you’ll have to approach them in the appropriate way. STEP 1: DO YOUR RESEARCH Read every single children’s book you can find on the topic you’ve written about just to make sure that no one hasn’t already published a similar story yet. This happens more often than you'd think. STEP 2: FIND YOUR PUBLISHING...

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Q&A'S WITH AUTHORS AND ILLUSTRATORS: SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS

In the past two years we've published these gorgeous picture books from the European Union, thanks to co-funding from Creative Europe. Since their release these books have been read and shared by lots of families, teachers and students. We would now like to record interviews with - Chiara Mezzalama, author of The Garden of Inside-Outside, illustrated by Régis Lejonc and translated by Sarah Ardizzone - Carll Cneut, illustrator of The Golden Cage, written by Anna Castagnoli and translated by Laura Watkinson - Sara Lundberg, author and illustrator of The Bird Within Me, translated by B.J. Epstein   Have you and your class read any of these books? Do you...

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HOW TO APPROACH A PICTURE BOOK PUBLISHER AND GET NOTICED

10 TIPS THAT MIGHT HELP YOU GET PUBLISHED You’ve written a children’s story and would love to get it published. There are hundreds of small publishers in the UK, who all have one thing in common: they’re extremely time-poor. If you want to get their attention, you’ll have to approach them in the appropriate way. STEP 1: DO YOUR RESEARCH Read every single children’s book you can find on the topic you’ve written about just to make sure that no one hasn’t already published a similar story yet. This happens more often than you'd think. STEP 2: FIND YOUR PUBLISHING...

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Totterdown Arts Trail 2021 - 20-21 November

We’re excited to announce that the Totterdown Arts Trail is returning for 2021 on 20th & 21st November, and we'll be part of it! The Front Room Arts Trail is a free annual arts event in the Totterdown area of South Bristol. Their aim is to highlight our wealth of local talent as artists invite you into their studio, back bedroom or front room – wherever the art happens. For the third time we will set up our stall at Hillcrest Primary School. Address: Cemetery Rd, Knowle, Totterdown, Bristol BS4 3DE   Like the Totterdown Arts Trail Facebook page

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Made in Bristol Gift Fair 2021

We're so much looking forward to being part of the Made in Bristol Gift Fair at Bristol Beacon again, after two very long years. Come and visit our stall on the ground floor and check out our latest picture books, our giclée prints and our tote bags. We will be offering our popular Christmas promotion, which is only available to our newsletter subscribers and people visiting our stalls.  Made in Bristol Gift Fair on Facebook          

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World Book Day: Woodborough Primary interview the creators of 'The Umbrella'

We love receiving emails and questions from schools about our picture books! For World Book Day, Maple Class from Woodborough Primary School in Wiltshire have been working with 'The Umbrella', one of our favourite wordless picture books from the Netherlands: The children sent us the following list of questions,  for Ingrid and Dieter Schubert, the illustrators, to answer. You can read more about them here.  Ingrid and Dieter really liked the questions and had a lot of fun answering them: What inspired you to write/ make/ illustrate this book? There is an old German story about a little boy called Robert. One...

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Big news!

Here at Book Island we’re so excited to have received the news from CILIP that one of our magnificent picture books, Little Wise Wolf, illustrated by Hanneke Siemensma and written by Gijs van der Hammen, has been longlisted for the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal 2020! Little Wise Wolf is an outstanding story translated by Laura Watkinson about a little wolf, who reads by day and star gazes by night. All of his animal friends come to him to get answers to their difficult questions, like 'what do butterflies eat?' and 'how many stars are in the sky?'. However, Little Wise Wolf has...

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Help us crowdfund the reprint of 'Maia and What Matters'

Here at Book Island we're so excited that the day has finally come that we are launching the Kickstarter for the reprint of Tine Mortier's outstanding picture book Maia and What Matters. Maia and What Matters is an incredibly unique picture book illustrated by Kaatje Vermeire, translated from the Dutch by David Colmer and first published by us, Book Island, in 2013. This book tackles many cultural taboos, including ageing and loss in a profoundly meaningful way. However, due to its popularity, it has now been out of print for several years. This is no ordinary bedtime story. Maia and What Matters is...

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The winners of our Illustration Competition are...

Many thanks to everyone who's taken part in our illustration competition over the past month. The daily stream of entries showed very clearly how well many of you know our picture book list.  Below you can find each illustration, with the matching cover, and the name of the winner underneath.  DAY 1: Illustration from Witchfairy, by Carll Cneut    Winner: Charlotte Clark  DAY 2: Illustration from Follow the Firefly, by Bernardo Carvalho    Winner: Ceire Hopley DAY 3: Illustration from One House for All, by Juris Petraškevičs   Winner: Sue Thomas DAY 4: Illustration from The Umbrella, by Ingrid and...

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Illustration Competition: Day 23

We’ve finally reached the last day of our illustration competition! Here’s our illustration for today:    You know what to do by now – if you think you know which book this little green duck might be from, email us using this link and let us know for a chance to win a copy of the book. Remember, you can check the books section of our website if you need some extra help.   We want to say a huge thank you to you for entering our illustration competition over the last few weeks. It’s been great to see everyone’s enthusiasm for...

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Illustration Competition: Day 22

It’s the penultimate day of our illustration competition! We’ve had such a good time reading all of your emails and can’t wait to let you know all of the winners on Monday 11 November. Here’s our illustration for today:    Do you recognise this mouse? If you know which book they might be from, send us an email here for a chance to win a free copy.    Best of luck and see you back here tomorrow for our final day!    

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Illustration Competition: Day 21

There are only three more days to go of our illustration competition, where we’re offering you the chance to win a free book every day. Do you think you know which of our books this badger and his friends might be from?     Let us know by sending us an email using this link. If you feel stuck, remember to check out some of the images from the books section of our website.   See you tomorrow for the penultimate day of our competition! 

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Illustration Competition: Day 20

It’s day 20 of our illustration competition which means there are only four days to go. Today’s illustration comes from one of our more recent releases. Do you know which?     If you have an idea of which book this image is from, email us using this link and let us know. As usual, you can find some helpful hints by browsing the book section of our website if you need some extra help.   See you tomorrow!

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Illustration Competition: Day 19

Hello again and thanks for joining us for day 19 of our illustration competition. Our illustration today shows two best friends hanging out together on a motorbike. Do you think you know which of our books they could be from?     Let us know by sending us an email using this link. As always, check out our the books page of our website for help if you need it.   See you on Monday! 

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Illustration Competition: Day 18

We’re so glad you’re here for day 18 of our illustration competition, where we’re giving you the chance to win a free book every day! With only 6 days to go, we are nearing the end of the competition and getting closer to revealing all of our winners. Here’s the illustration for day 18:     Do you know which book these two friends are from? Send us an email using this link to let us know. As usual, feel free to browse the books section of our website for some inspiration if you feel a little stuck.  Good luck! Have a...

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Illustration Competition: Day 17

It’s day 17 of our illustration competition and we can’t wait to show you the image for today. Are these tiny ants recognisable to you?    Which book do you think they might be from? Let us know by sending us an email here for the chance to win a free book!    Good luck and see you tomorrow! 

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Illustration Competition: Day 16

Welcome back for day 16 of our illustration competition! We’re enjoying reading all of your entries and can’t wait to reveal all of the winners to you on the 11th November! Without further ado, here is our illustration for day 16:    Do you think you know which of our books this little squirrel is from? Email us using this link to let us know and you could win a free copy of the book! If you need some help, as always, feel free to have a look at the books section of our website.    Good Luck! 

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Illustration Competition: Day 15

Hello again and welcome to day 15 of our illustration competition, where we are giving away a free book every day! Our illustration today shows a very hungry little boy in his kitchen. Do you know which book he might be from?      If you have an idea, email us using this link and let us know. As usual, you can use  the book section of our website if you need some extra help.   See you tomorrow!  

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Illustration Competition: Day 14

Welcome back for day 14 of our illustration competition. Here’s our illustration for today:     If you think you know which book this picture is from, email us using this link to let us know and you could win a free copy of it. As always, feel free to check out the books section of our website If you feel stuck.  Good luck and see you on Monday! 

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Illustration Competition: Day 13

It’s day 13 of our illustration competition and we’re so glad you’re back! Just a quick reminder that we are giving away a free book every day for 10 more working days, and you can enter every day if you want to. Here’s today’s illustration:     Do you know which of our books it’s from? Email us here and let us know for the chance to win a free copy.   Happy reading!

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Illustration Competition: Day 12

Welcome back for day 12 of our illustration competition. Our illustration today shows lots of weird and wonderful birds. Do you recognise which book these might be from?     If you think you have the answer, let us know using this email link, and you could win a free book! Feel free to browse the books section of our website for some inspiration if you feel a little stuck.   Best of luck! 

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Illustration Competition: Day 11

We are almost half-way through our illustration competition, where we’re offering you the chance to win a free Book Island book every day! Here’s our illustration for day 11:     Do you recognise this sleepy little crocodile? If you think you know which book he’s from, let us know using this email link, and you could win a free book! As always, if you are struggling, feel free to browse the books section of our website for some inspiration. Don't forget, you can enter this competition every day!  See you tomorrow! 

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Illustration Competition: Day 10

Can you believe it’s been 10 days of our illustration competition already? We hope you’re enjoying it as much as we are. Here’s our marvellous illustration for day 10:    If you think you recognise this (rather small) man, please email us using this link and let us know which of our books you think he’s from for a chance to win a free copy of it! Head over to our books list here and explore some of the images there if you need some help.  Happy reading! 

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Illustration Competition: Day 9

 Welcome back for day 9 of our illustration competition! Here’s today’s image:    We’re sure you know what to do by now. Email us using this link if you know which book these two friends are from, and you could win a free copy! As always, head over to our books page if you feel stuck and need a little help. If you don't know the answer today, we still have 14 days of the competition to go so there are still plenty more chances to win free books.  See you tomorrow!   

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Illustration Competition: Day 8

It’s that time again! Day 8 of our illustration competition brings us these sunbathing mice enjoying some relaxation time:    If you think you know which book this picture is from, email us using this link to let us know and you could win a free copy of the book! As always, feel free to check out the books section of our website If you feel stuck.  Good luck!

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Illustration Competition: Day 7

It’s day 7 of our illustration competition and you know the drill! Have a look at our illustration below and let us know if you think you can tell us which of our books this gorgeous picture is from:    Email us using this link to let us know, and you could win a free copy of the book. Remember, you can check the images from the books section of our website If you feel stuck!  Until tomorrow, happy reading.   

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Illustration Competition: Day 6

Welcome back! It’s day 6 of our illustration competition, where we’re giving you the chance to win a free Book Island title by guessing which of our books some of our favourite illustrations are from. Our illustration for day 6 is here:    If you think you recognise which book this little gnome is from, simply email us using this link to let us know, and you could win a free copy of the book.    If you feel stuck, check out some of the images from the books section of our website.    See you tomorrow! 

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Illustration Competition: Day 5

It’s been five days of our illustration competition already and we hope you’re enjoying it as much as we are. For day 5, our image comes from a book about the power of sisterhood and looking out for one another.     Can you guess which book this illustration is from? Send us an email using this link for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Remember to check out some of the images from the books section of our website if you feel stuck!  See you back here tomorrow! 

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Illustration Competition: Day 4

Welcome back for day 4 of our illustration competition. Our image today shows a tiny little dog getting whisked away in the wind! Do you know which of our books he might be from?     Send us an email using this link and you could win a free Book Island title. Remember, if you feel stuck, check out the books section on our brand new website and you may find the answer amongst the photos…   See you tomorrow for day 5! 

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Illustration Competition: Day 3

It’s day 3 of our illustration competition and we’re so glad to see you again. Here’s our illustration for today:     Think you know which book this image is from? Send us an email using this link and you could win a free Book Island title.  Hint: if you feel stuck, check out the books section on our brand new website and you may find the answer amongst the photos…  There’s still 20 days left of our competition, so if you don’t know the answer today, make sure you check back on Monday for day 4. See you then! 

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Illustration Competition: Day 2

Welcome back for day 2 of our illustration competition!  Our image today shows some friendly faces getting cozy around the campfire: If you think you recognise which book they might be from, send us an email using this link and let us know.  Hint: if you feel stuck, check out the books section on our brand new website and you may find the answer amongst the photos…  Remember that every day for the next 22 working days, we’re giving you the chance to win a free Book Island title by guessing which of our books some of our favourite illustrations are from. Simply check back here tomorrow to...

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Illustration Competition: Day 1

Welcome to our illustration competition! Every day for the next 23 working days, we’re giving you the chance to win a free Book Island title by guessing which of our books some of our favourite illustrations are from. Without further ado, here is our image for Day 1: Do you recognise this little girl? Email us using this link and tell us which book you think she is from for a chance to win it! Hint: if you feel stuck, check out the books section on our brand new website and you may find the answer amongst the photos…  See you...

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Welcome to our new website!

Book Island will soon have its very own blog! There is so much to share about the amazing books we are home to and the mountain of work that goes into creating them. We love publishing beautifully illustrated translated picture books and we hope that you will enjoy reading about their progress just as much as we enjoy the process. There is lots to tell you about, however, with an ever growing list at the minute we are just too busy to put as much effort into the new blog as we would like to. But we hope that in...

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