Look how far we´ve come!
Rockpool Children´s Books published its first four titles in October 2006. Since then, its international reputation for high quality picture and board books has grown steadily, with sales to Australia, the USA, South Korea, Italy, Colombia, and now France. By October 2009 we will have published 21 titles and moved into animation! More of that later.
The first phase of Rockpool's development was to publish children's books written and illustrated by its creator, Stuart Trotter. Now that Rockpool is established, it is publishing other talented new author/illustrators.
Great new authors and titles
Heather Heyworth´s first picture book, Riding on an Elephant, published in September 2008, combines gentle rhyme and beautiful illustrations to describe a little girl´s adventures as she rides an elephant through the jungle to a lovely surprise ending!
In September 2009, in collaboration with S.D.L. France, Rockpool will publish the exciting Little Fairies, a series brilliantly written and illustrated by first-time author/illustrator Samantha Walshaw . The first two in the series are Rose´s Rainbow and Poppy´s Magic.
With Little Fairies´ in mind, summer 2009 saw an interesting major development when Rockpool Children´s Books began an association with Flix Facilities, one of the leading Post Production houses in the UK. Over the past 17 years they have earned a reputation as the go-to guys for animation, documentary, drama and commercial post-production, working on many award-winning shows. Work is now complete on Rose´s Rainbow´ and Poppy´s Magic´ and the DVD´s will accompany Sam´s books this autumn.
Also with S.D.L., we´re publishing Sam´s heartwarming Lulubell Ladybird or Margaux la coccinelle. The Lulubell character has been adopted by S.D.L. as the imprint logo for its new trade list, Margaux & Cie. Sam is prolific in her talent and output, and her new books, Maisie and the Pirates and Maisie and the Pirates: Ghost Ship are scheduled for publication in 2010.
We´re also delighted to announce the publication of Jane Winton´s Peppermint Twins and JoJo and the Happy Crow in 2010. These are two wonderful books, illustrated in a very strong painterly style, which bring yet more variety to Rockpool´s growing list. They have a deliciously dark storyline, not too scary, but definitely a bit Grimm´!
Stuart Trotter hasn´t been idle either. He´s been writing and illustrating Polar White and Polar White´s Woo Hoo Day, both due for publication in October 2009. For more information on all of the above titles, see our New Books section.
News from Bologna 2010
Rockpool attended its fourth Bologna Children´s Book Fair.
We had an excellent fair, and welcomed potential customers/clients from all over the world.
Their overall impression of Rockpool's list was one of praise for our selection of quality stories and illustration.
We receive many submissions, but, being a small independent, have to be incredibly selective in our choice.
This is not to say titles we don't take are bad, but with our expanding knowledge of what sells and doesn't sell, we choose work that fits into our ethic of excellent quality, accompanied by strong commercial potential.
This year we were proud to present new titles by Simon Partington, 'Funny Little Moon Man: A very special visitor'; 'The Best Place on Earth' written by Tanya Palmer and beautifully illustrated by Lisa Stubbs; 'The Flying Penguin' by Lisa Slater, and to be illustrated by me; 'The Unbelievable Jonny Jones' written and illustrated by Becky Long
.We were delighted to present Susan Larkins books in Bologna. Her Good Morning Baby, a delightful book for mums to read to their very young children, is now accompanied by the equally wonderful 'How do I love you?'.
They provide a 'rocking chair read', to quote Susan, but they are so beautifully written as to appeal to all ages!
Sam Walshaw's 'Little Fairies' go from strength to strength! 2009 saw the publication of 'Poppy's Magic' and 'Roses Rainbow', and the animation of both titles by Flix Facilities in Manchester, under the direction of Simon Partington. They truly are superb!
In Bologna we presented 'Roses Rainbow Pop - Up', beautifully engineered by the legendary Ron van der Meer!
Rockpool Children's Books is also delighted to announce the sale of Sam's next four 'Little Fairies'...'Ivy and the Fireflies'; 'Daisy and the Dewdrops'; 'Buttercup and the dancing shoes' and 'Bluebell and the Flutterbyes'.
Also from Sam, to be published in August 2010, are the delightful 'Minnie the Minnow' and 'Minnie the Minnow and Jasper the Jumping Jellyfish'.
We'd like to say a special thank you to Maisey Walshaw, aged 7, for her contribution to this book! A star in the making!
With Lulubell Ladybird published in October 2009, Sam, new to publishing, will, by September this year have 9 titles published in her name! With success like this, Rockpool Children's Books feels just a little pleased!
We're very proud of Sam's achievement!
We'd also like to thank Chris Mercer at YPS for printing Rockpool's 40 page, rapidly expanding, catalogue and excellent prototypes.
The quality of printing and binding of these books, not only enhanced the look of Rockpool’s stand, but also gave our presentation a truly professional feel.
On the Rockpool team
Rockpool´s books are proofread and edited by Jude Irwin of Word Doctor, ensuring the sense, rhymes, grammar, punctuation, and spelling are tip-top before going to print. If you wish to contact Jude, you can do so at theworddoctor [at] btinternet [dot] com or visit www.worddoctoronline.com
Paul Simpson and Dave Elsdon of LynkIT are responsible for Rockpool´s fabulous website. Beautifully designed, it has attracted a great deal of well-deserved praise. They constantly strive to improve the experience of visitors to the website, for example with our superb flip the page, see inside feature. Before you buy from the Rockpool Book Shop, which is in association with the excellent YPS, you´ll be given a taster of what to look forward to when your Rockpool book arrives!
Bespoke service
2008 saw Rockpool´s publication of What am I? asked butterfly, a children´s picture book written and illustrated by Stuart to accompany the opening of the new butterfly house at Chester Zoo. Spreads from the book created in resin to withstand the humid tropical conditions so loved by the occupants lead visitors on a butterfly journey through the facility, which was opened this April by Minister for Culture and Media Andy Burnham.
If you too would like to commission Rockpool to create, design, write, and/or illustrate for you, from initial concept to delivery to your door, we will be only too happy to talk to you just get in touch!
For a catalogue, please contact us
