Nosy Crow nabs three Naylor-Ballesteros picture books on eve of Bologna

Nosy Crow has bought three picture books by author-illustrator Chris Naylor-Ballesteros on the eve of the Bologna Book Fair.

Louise Bolongaro, head of picture books, bought world rights in all languages from Jo Williamson at Antony Harwood Ltd.

The first book, with the working title Beetle and Butterfly is described as “a bitter-sweet story of a friendship that survives change”. Fox and Bear is “a witty tale in which tables are unexpectedly turned” while the third book is currently untitled.

Naylor-Ballesteros is the creator of The Suitcase, published by Nosy Crow on 2nd May and described by The Kite Runner author Khaled Hosseini as a “beautifully illustrated and wise, gentle tale of tolerance and kindness for fellow humans”. Rights have already been sold in seven foreign languages, with five getting snapped-up at auctions.

Naylor-Ballesteros said: “Having had such a great experience working with the Nosy Crow crew on The Suitcase, it’s truly a dream to know that I’ll get to develop three new stories with them to put out into the picture book world.

"The editorial and design team are amazingly supportive, knowledgeable and passionate (and - it has to be said - downright lovely people). Those qualities carry right through to their sales, marketing and publicity, everything. I think there’s no better home for The Suitcase or the books to come than the Crow’s Nest. For an author or illustrator it’s hugely encouraging and heartening to be shown such commitment by a publisher, and I’m incredibly grateful to be given the opportunity to work with the whole team again on future adventures.”

Kate Wilson, m.d. of Nosy Crow, added: “It’s just remarkable to come across someone like Chris. His visual sense is impeccable and he is a moving, funny, clever wordsmith with a gift for creating a character through voice as well as image. The Suitcase, Beetle and Butterfly and Fox and Bear are very different books, but they are all so clearly the work of a single clever and compassionate mind because of the way that text and images work so brilliantly well together. We’re so pleased to have swept these off the table before the beginning of the Bologna Book Fair. It’s exciting to look forward to years of building Chris’s international reputation in the way he so clearly deserves.”