North American edition of Darcy Moon and the Deep-Fried Frogs

Darcy Moon has gone purple! This is the new North American cover for Catherine Carvell’s Darcy Moon and the Deep-Fried Frogs – now renamed Darcy Moon and the Aroona Frogs for American audiences. The book was published by Star Bright Books in June.

In other news, Pandamonia by Chris Owen and Chris Nixon continues to work its magic on international publishers. Chinese publisher United Sky in Beijing has purchased the rights alongside Chris Owen’s first book, My Superhero, illustrated by Moira Court.

We launched Pandamonia at the State Library of Western Australia at the beginning of book week. It was lovely to see so many supporters turning up with their kids to drink panda juice, eat panda footprint cookies and get their books signed. You can tell a book is going to be popular with the littlies when it keeps them absorbed (and scarily well-behaved) for over two hours! Artwork from the book will be exhibited up till the end of October and Chris Nixon is selling his limited edition prints through the State Library Shop.

The Australian Family Therapists’ Award for Children’s Literature list came out this week. This is an annual prize that identifies and promotes books of literature which are useful for therapeutic practise. Dropping In by Geoff Havel was one of seven Australian books recommended this year. The judges said the book typified adolescent male behaviour with all its nuances and that it depicted friendship around difference, acceptance, inclusion and sticking together. Congratulations, Geoff!