Jan De Kinder

picture books

 A sweet story about friendship and being there for each other.



- Warm, dynamic and colourful picturebook that will cheer you up.
- Stunning interaction between the little rabbit and the upside down elephant.
- With playful references to the circus.



Rights sold: French, complex Chinese (Taiwan)



Elephant is sad. He is standing upside down and hides under a pile of branches. Rabbit is trying everything to cheer him up. He’s juggling, swinging, wheeling and tumbling up and down. Nothing seems to work. But rabbit won’t give up! Maybe it helps when he gets upside down himself?

Elephant upside down

Kim Crabeels

A visual feast in an increadibly musical and rhytmical text that you’ll just want to read over and over again.



What to do when you are a KA-TCHING wealthy director of a museum of underpants on the day that the most prestigious of panties (the lacy pair of Mona Lisa) gets stolen? You put on your big boy nickers and you try to find the culprit.

Melvin

The biggest underpants-theft

Jacques & Lise

A playful and surreal story about sharing, letting go and putting things into perspective.



Aldo and Rino love Nonna’s cooking. When Nonna comes dancing out of the kitchen with two steaming plates of spaghetti, she stumbles and only one plate remains.

The brothers must share one plate. All goes well until the final string of spaghetti remains ...

Aldo & Rino

Kristien Dieltiens

collection of stories

- A magnificent story collection with tales from all over the world.
- Big and beautifully illustrated collection of stories, folk tales and myths about giants.





We all know that giants are super strong but can be a bit dumb sometimes. They can shake the earth and chase the clouds away. In every culture they provide inspiration for stories. The famous Flemish author, Kristien Dieltens, went looking for stories about giants from all over the world. She rewrote those stories for a large audience, so both young and old will greatly enjoy reading this book.

The compelling and strong illustrations by Seppe Van Den Berghe instantly make you believe in giants again. His work is exciting, funny, and always beautifully composed.

Seppe Van den Berghe

The cloud-eaters: stories from around the world about giants

Siska Goeminne

Heartwarming story about a girl who defies sea, sand, water and forest to find her father. 



- Endearing and poetic story
- About a girl looking for her father
- The magestic illustrations by the lauded illustrator Tim Van den Abeele





On the other side there was her father. He raised his hand to her and she felt how her heart made a little jump, how light she suddenly felt and how big the hunger really was. She put her hands around her mouth. Dad! It bellowed over the water like a party. Could she reach him?

Size: 21,5 x 30,5 cm
48 pages, end papers incl.
Themes: dad, father, growing, quest, longing, missing

Tim Van den Abeele

The heart of the girl

Wendy Huyghe

fiction



International movie premiered on February 17 2023  at the
Berlinale, the international Film Festival of Berlin.




One stormy night, Lena’s father’s fishing boat sinks. Antoine Blomme and his two crew members, one of them the dad of Lena’s best friend Kaz, die. The funeral is chilly, because everyone in Ostend seems to have their own version of what happened. According to those present, it was all Antoine’s fault, because an experienced fisherman shouldn’t head out during a storm now should he? Lena doesn’t believe them, her father knew the sea like the back of his hand. When the funeral boat is suddenly startled by a fierce shock,  he catches a glimpse of a black shadow disappearing under the boat.

With the help of Vincent, a lanky octopus suit (covering up a 14-year-old boy) who shares a fascination for marine life and holds a summer job at the brand-new Secret Sea Creatures Museum, she sets out in search of the sea creature she think she’s seen – and the true cause of her father’s death.

PAPERBACK
Size: 13,5 x 20 cm
208 pages + end papers
Themes: sea, loss, father-daughter relation

Sea sparkle

Lynn Pinsart

This books invites the tiny readers to put their parents to bed. Or is it the other way around? A heartwarming story that is sure to turn bedtime upside down.



Today we reverse the roles. YOU put the grown-ups to bed. Because they are tired, exhausted and in serious need of sleep. And here’s why: they are snout cleaners, weightlifters, wizards ... Adults have up to 10 different jobs during the day. Will you help put them to bed? They really deserve some sleep!

Size: 30 x 24 cm
32 pages + end papers

Julie Vangeel

Bedtime for adults

Kristof Devos

A warm and hopeful story about how you can conquer difficulties with the help of others.



- A sublime story about true friendship
- Unique interaction between text, illustrations and design.
- AWARDS: Merit Winner, 3x3 Mag, New York, USA

Life is boring when you are staring out of your window all by yourself. Then Fox and Bird show up. It’s wonderful to have friends! But the more loved ones you have in your life, the more chance you will lose them again. One day, something happens to Bird ...

16,5 x 24,5 cm
56 pages, end papers incl.
Themes: friendship, handicap, perseverence

Fox, Bird and me

Jade Perkin

A simple, heartfelt and ultimately uplifting book for anyone coping with loss.



If Mum has gone, how do you carry on? Missing her feels like a dark cloud that follows you around, or like swimming to a shore that never comes any nearer. But memories are like a jumper that you can cuddle and wear. And Mum's Jumper might be a way to keep her close.



Rights sold: Welsh, English, German, Chinese (complex and simple), Italian, Catalan, Castillian, Basque

A wonderful, tear-jerking book about grief and eventual recovery, with a message that lingers

With beautiful emotive illustrations, this is a very powerful book to help us learn about grief. 

'Mum’s Jumper' is a wonderful safe space for children (or possibly even adults) to explore any loss or bereavement. It will now be top of my list to recommend to our school staff when it’s needed.

 (Caroline Clary, school librarian at William Cobbett Primary)

'Mum’s Jumper' is Perkin at her visually eloquent best in a book that will be a vitally important support for families working together through the grieving process and children coming to terms with a life-changing experience. 

A beautiful, brave picture book about loss

A sensitively but honestly written picture book about loss, grief and empathy 

Our mother died a year ago this month and even though 'Mum's Jumper' is aimed at little ones, it really touched on our experience and understanding of grief as well. 

(Kickstarter backer)

HARDCOVER
32 pages + end paper
Size: 28 x 21 cm

Mum's Jumper

Bieke Biesbrouck

Robby Raspberry has been grumbling all morning. Nothing is right. Everything bothers him. His friends, each in their own way, try to cheer him up. While Robby just wants time to process his angry mood himself.

A disarming story about big emotions.
Are you angry? Act like Robby Raspberry.
Show what you're feeling. Until you have cooled down again.

Themes: emotion, friendship, confidence

Angry berry

Tine Mortier

One little outsider breaks up the daily routine, and makes the lives
of the entire herd better.



- A suprisingly warm winter story
- With poetic, timeless picture book illustrations
- About a stubborn little sheep that opens up the world of her herd



Rights sold: French, German, Russian
(option: Arab)



Hendrica climbs a tree. And makes a cosy nest for herself. The herd doesn’t understand what she’s up to. Why is she acting out like that? Sheep belong on the ground! But maybe it’s a great idea to climb a tree, even if you are a sheep?

23,5 x 28 cm
32 pages, end papers incl.
Themes: outsider, humour, being yourself, sheep

Charlotte Severeyns

Hendrika, the sheep that climbed a tree

- Imaginative 'flip-over' picture book for anyone who loves to get lost in stories
- A book full of reading-animals and famous book heroes



Libri & Worm is a 'flip-over-book': one side tells the story of Leesje, on the other side you read Worm’s story. In the middle they meet each other – of course – because stories connect.

Libri is wild and fierce and crazy about books. She bites pieces and bites out of letters and pictures. There’s nothing she likes more than a good story! Curious Libri jumps from one adventure to another.

Worm is calmer, but he loves to slip between words and images as well. Because no matter how wild, sad, or scary the stories may be, Worm feels safe in books. He can disappear into them and take refuge in them as in a warm nest.

Frank Daenen

Libri & Worm

Tom Mariën

Snail's road runs straight, dead straight.
No flower or bush he avoids.
But the sun burns and the road is long.
'Release yourself more,' thinks Centipede.
'Break out of yourself,' says Ant.
But how do you do that, Snail wonders.
And will it hurt?

tells a compelling tale about straight and not-so-straight. About holding on and holding steady. Breaking in and breaking out.



The slimy trail left by Slug on each page has been printed using a spot varnish. This leaves a tactile glossy trail for children to discover when held to the light and traceable with their fingers on every page, starting from the cover all the way through to the end of the book.



In the story, to mirror the emotional transformation of Slug, there is also a visual evolution where in the dark black and white illustrations there is a gradual introduction of colours, first in the shape of some colourful encounters, and later on in the world around Slug himself as he sees the world in a new light. The book ends with a bright full colour finale.

Eleni Debo

The straight story of Slug

Laila Koubaa

A contemporary fairytale that meets the demand for more culturally diverse picture books in an increasingly multicultural society



Azizi lives in a country governed by greedy rulers, who capture all blue birds and lock them up in a big cage in the courtyard of their palace. The people suffer and live in fear, until one day a little blue bird escapes from the cage. Together with Azizi it sets out on a long journey to free the people of their cruel and relentless rulers.



Rights sold: French, Danish, Portuguese (Brazil)



'Azizi and the Little Blue Bird' […] looks and sounds like a story from the Arabian Nights, but also suggests every current thought-policing regime in the world. 


The beautiful illustrations perfectly match the tone of the book and will allow younger children to follow the story. A fabulous way to introduce cultural diversity to multicultural readers. 

(BookTrust)

HARDCOVER
32 pages + end papers
Size: 33 x 22,5 cm



Mattias De Leeuw

Azizi and the Little Blue Bird

Stefan Boonen

If you haven’t got a lot of time:
this is a story about a girl, Lowie.
She runs away.
In the end she (amost) dies.
And there’s more, of course, much more.

Coined Best Children’s Book of 2022 by Dutch teacher’s association



Until that fateful Wednesday in April, Lowie was employed by Mr and Mrs Simmer. Just like her mum (before she left) and grandmother (before she died). All day long - and all by herself - she has to do one lousy chore after the other. Until Mrs Simmer snaps her fingers one time too many. Lowie decides to run away. The thing you need to know about Lowie: when she gets angry or sad, she can jump so high it’s almost
as if she can fly.

She ends up in the village of Hinkel. Not wanting to stand out, she cuts her hair and pretends to be a boy. She/he finds work and lodging with hairdresser Roedie. A series of events puts pressure on her anonymous existence. The village discovers that she can jump very high, she meets the king, raises the Commander’s suspicious, makes friends, is forced
to admit that she is a girl and meets an old friend of hairdresser Roedie; captain Dobrik Dalmast. Then her past catches up with her: Lowie falls ill and can no longer jump. The Commander “unmasks” her as the Simmers’ ungrateful maid. Lowie realises that starting over is not for her. She ends up in the ‘pen’. But she underestimates how important she became to several residents of Hinkel, including hairdresser Roedie. After a revolt, the Commander has to release her again. With a bold move - death, maybe?- Lowie manages to escape.

Lowie’s world gets bigger and bigger. The book ends as the girl gets on a boat and embarks on a long journey with Captain Dalmast and the king. To an island where it’s said people live who, when triggered, can jump so high it’s almost as if they can fly ...





‘What has struck me the most when reading ‘Lowie’? It was the first book that I read in 2023 and it was immediately the first book that I gave 5 stars and listed as my favorite!
Stefan Boonen really wrote a book in which every word is perfectly in its place. ‘Lowie’ is quite a big book, around 320 pages, so perhaps it’s not for every child. But still, every word is right. No word too much, no word forgotten, just right. Perfect.’
(Books & Macchiatos, Marcella)

‘In ‘Lowie’ Boonen shows his literary side. Sublime texts. Not a word too much, no exclamation marks too few. Exactly what this special story needs. Occasionally, it read like poetry. This is by far a book to get deeper into with children from 9+. (…)
In short, ‘Lowie’ is a layered book. The basic story is good and surprising, the ending I absolutely didn’t see coming. But the layers that are in there can be used for so many purposes: talks about special abilities, about standing out, about being different.’
(Stoer Leesvoer, Linda)

‘Lowie is of a magnificent beauty. Stefan Boonen uses a writing style that needs some getting used to. The sentences are mostly short and only slowly reveal yet another layer than the sentence before. It’s like poetry. The sentences have a rhythm, a flow, and eventually they collide together into a musical melody. In that moment you are already enchanted, and you keep following the path that leads to a safe haven for the desires of Lowie.
The world in which Lowie lives is almost similar to the one in which we live. But, without revealing the details, the uses of fantasy creatures and fantasy objects give the story a fairy-tale-like dimension. (…)
Although the end of the story gives many answers, the author leaves room for a sequel. Full of anticipation, I will definitely wait for it!
(Bazarow, Peter van Bavel)

‘I love it, it’s touching, and it has surely touched me. Why? The style. Short chapters with short sentences, but with such a beautiful choice of words. The story is characterized by its simple yet beautiful use of language. It’s very accessible but it has a much deeper layer. You are going to love Lowie when you read the story. Lowie has a flutter-heart, but when the book is finished, she still flutters around in your head. And that is nice. I have read the book twice in a row and I will pick it up once again. Stefan Boonen knows howe to tell, with little words and in a very simple style, an exceptional story.’
(Hebban, Conny Schelvis)

Lowie

- Funny picture book about great expectations and an endless imagination.
- A unique interplay between text and image, each telling a different part of the story.

What if a trip to the zoo doesn’t turn out quite like you expected?



‘Son, that was fantastic! With the giraffe and the rhino.’
‘Nah, ... it wasn’t fun.’
‘How so, it wasn’t fun?’
‘The lion wasn’t there.’



After a trip to the zoo, a boy and his dad travel back home. Dad tries to lighten the mood, but his little son insists: the lion wasn’t there. Can you see the animals they don’t see on the bus, train or bike path?

Federico Appel

But the lion wasn't there

Yoeri Slegers

- Big storybook with heartwarming tales about a highly sensitive rabbit.
- Colourful drawings full of animals and dynamics.
- With recognizable school scenes: a busy playground, distractions during tests, an overwhelming school party, a school trip that turns out to be more fun than expected ...



This story book collects eight stories about the sensitive rabbit Otto at school.



Otto goes back to school today. What will his new class be like? And will the teacher be nice? During the school year, Otto faces all kinds of new challenges: a new friend in class, a wrong lunch box, a difficult test, a performance for the school dance. Sometimes these situations make Otto’s ears wobble ... But with the support of his best friend, a smart teacher and his own talent for drawing, Otto always finds his way; even to the stage!

Otto at school

Owen Gent

Imagine a trip to the park with butterflies and snakes and monkeys and a giant leopard – magical!

Imagine missing it all because you’re distracted...



A beautiful story for children and adults about the importance of looking up, paying attention and sharing adventures.

Empathy Lab - Read for Empathy Collection 2023

Klaus Flugge Prize for Outstanding Newcomers to Picture Book Illustration

The book immediately reminds the reader of Not Now, Bernard, in which we see a similarly fobbed-off child. However, there are two key differences with the McKee classic. Firstly, the parental phrase ‘That’s nice, love’, is far kindlier than the dismissive ‘Not Now, Bernard’. This points to the fact that the parent is not being brusque, they perhaps don’t even realise how absent they are being. This is emphasised by the second difference, the ending. While Bernard ends with the eponymous character being eaten by/turning into a monster, That’s Nice, Love wraps up far more hopefully, with the child gently confronting the parent and the adult being shocked at their own neglectful behaviour, promising to do better in the future; it’s a touching reconciliation.

If I could share just one new picture book with parents I think it would be this one. Its important message for us all is conveyed with kindness and understanding. 



I think we can all be guilty of spending too much time scrolling on our phones. This picture book is a reminder to look up and be present. 

A mindful tale about the all consuming digital world and the importance of looking up from our screens. A sobering read, full of magic & imagination. 

Author-illustrator Owen Gent depicts the park and child’s imaginary adventures with beautiful artwork in an appealing colour palette of autumnal tones and rich purple and blue hues, creating visually striking and eye-catching spreads

Written in simple language but with a very meaningful message, this book is based on a very interesting premise, which is thought-provoking and very relevant nowadays. Simultaneously it’s beautiful, filled with magic moments, which explore the creativity and imagination of children - the imagination adults seem to have lost in adulthood with all their boring tasks and chores and with meaningless hobbies. 

This is poignant story and so wondrously illustrated. I love the adventure, the message and the end 

This is such a thought provoking book (the front and back endpapers alone are worth discussion) and it could be used with a KS2 audience as it evokes so many questions. The teacher notes by Jon Biddle which accompany the book are an excellent starting point. ⁣

This book really makes you reflect and think about the times that you are truly present - noticing all the little things around us; reflecting on the amount of time spent on phones; looking down instead of looking up.

That's Nice Love is a sumptuously illustrated picture book perfect for today’s busy lives.

Portable screens may seem amazing but are no match for the richness of a child’s imagination, stimulated by the wonders of the natural world that may be found in the branches of a single tree. Owen Gent gives his imagination full rein in a series of sublime sequences that explore and expand the spare verbal narrative.

That's Nice Love

Pipa doesn't want to sleep because she finds that boring. She would rather, like a real explorer, go into space. Board the pod rocket and fly along on the adventure of a lifetime.

A crazy cosmic story about a little pea with a big dream.

Themes: space, adventure, bedtime & dreams.

Peas in space

A rich picture book with vivid colours about the environment, adventure and finding your home. Bald, pink cover!



Every year, at the beginning of summer, Dounia heads to the city. It’s a gloriously festive occasion. When Dounia falls asleep on the return ride on the train, something surprisingly happens. There are no parents waiting at the final stop, instead Dounia finds a gecko, a flamingo, a ray and other stray animals. Together they look for the way home – and decide to make their journey a little more beautiful.

Hardcover
Size: 24 x 31 cm
48 pages, end papers incl.

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