Children’s books
Éditions Møtus
NEW BOOKS
The whale of bus Nr 29 by Christine Beigel, illustrated by Alessia Bravo
THE WHALE of BUS Nr 29 is the story of a colourful and moving woman installed for a week in front of her bus stop, seen by the eyes of a loving and warm-hearted little girl. In her eyes, the woman looks like a whale beached on the pavement.
25 x 25 cm - 40 p. - 13 € - Age: 6
In this book where one of the two characters is homeless, the writer creates a very touching and poetic story, full of imagination and feeling. And the illustrations are really superb! Christine Beigel has already written many stories for young readers. Three of her books have been published by Møtus, one of them The little girl walking along the lines (winner of the «A vos livres» prize)» whose rights were acquired for South Korea and China.
Alessia Bravo is a young and highly talented illustrator. Her technique is particularly elaborate and her superb drawings are a clever echo of the text. She has attracted the attention of the Ilustrarte selection in Portugal.
KINDS OF MONSTERS! To appear at the beginning of 2015 By the author and the illustrator of «A dream without hunger» (Motus Publishers) and of «Men only do what they like» (Sarbacane publishers). The rights for each of these previous two books were bought by South Korea.
In that book there by François David, illustrated by Olivier Thiébaut
are some
27 x 30,8 cm / 42 p. 14 € / Age: 6
monsters and
traditional
some really unexpected ones. The striking illustrations are a subtle echo of the text.
Mo-Mo
22,5 x 25,5 cm 40 p. / 13 € Age: 7
Mo-Mo by Mickaël El Fathi
Mo-Mo has lost his words. To find them back, he travels an extraordinary long way, over land, sea or in the sky. The story is funny, moving, original and magic. The extraordinary and magnificent pictures appear on a background... made of words! Mickaël El Fathi’s first book is really the discovery of a very surprising creator of whom we shall hear again, as talented an author as an illustrator.
“Exceptional!” (Sophie’s gossips)
The April planet The Aprilians can fly on their planet long before being able to walk. They are not very different from us except that they whisper when they talk, turn their ears instead of laughing and have two hearts…
The April planet by François David, illustrated by Joanna Boillat
24 x 31 cm / 38 p. 19,50 € / Age: 7
The young Aprilians loved making somersaults in a sky as red over there as our’s is blue. They often flew alone or holding each other’s hands and sometimes holding tight their teddy bears in their arms. Suddenly, they let them go and the bears looked like real ones. Then the children called them and the bears came and settled back against the visible hearts of their friends.
“Very gently, François David’s text and Joanna Boillat’s illustrations invite young readers to wonder about others and about themselves. Impossible to separate them, words and pictures in this book being in such complementarity and harmony. Poetry and colours are there together...” From Ricochet’s review “In this book, delicate illustrations, warm colours, a generous and tolerant story, everything contributes to invite us to a poetic and dreamlike journey on Planet April.” (Selection of Opalivre)
CHILDREN’S ALBUMS
I have a dream, no hunger any longer by François David, illustrated by Olivier Thiébaut
25 x25 cm / 48 p. / 14 € / Age: 8
Today, all subjects, even the most serious ones (war, death…) are treated in books for the young. But few non documentary books evoke hunger of whom so many victims in the world are children. Poetry allows us to keep a precious distance by a careful choice of rhythms and words. Thanks to Olivier Thiébaut’s singular indirect approach which suggests with the help of objects, and does not show the children’s emaciated bodies, the book can approach this terrible problem. I had a dream all the children of all colours on all the continents everywhere will be able to eat properly and laugh and laugh and laugh
In my ear by Philippe Annocque, illustrated by Henri Galeron
25 x 16 cm / 66 p. 12 € / Age: 7
The letters printed in bold characters spell a word that you can also read in the sentence and see in the picture: Dans mon oreille se cache mon oeil.
Curious animals by François David, illustrated by Henri Galeron F. David and H. Galeron’s animals are very strange or even imaginary, from the Letter-box to the Vacuum cleaner, from a giraffe to… Man!
A book full of plays upon words and humorous illustrations. 17 x 21 cm / 63 p. / 22 € / Age: 7
The path by Carole Lepan, illustrated by Marcellin A path. Along that path, a row of standing planks which nobody seems to notice, up to the day when a little girl pays attention and really sees them. And little by little, everything changes… A wonderful story whose illustrations marvellously play with seasons and nature. 27 x 15 cm / 32 p. / 11 € / Age: 7
Man by François David A book like no other book, by its size and its narrow shape… a book gently laughing at men who always boast they are the greatest. 12 x 42 cm / 24 p. 12,50 € / Age: 8
Rabbit fur
My little finger said to me... by François David,
by Vanessa Simon-Catelin, illustrated by Brunella Baldi
illustrated by Aude Léonard
It is altogether a story about animals, men, towns, nature…
Sandhills as far as the horizon. The sea. And rabbits. And suddenly, houses. More and more houses. No sandhills, no rabbits to be seen any longer. But one day, one rabbit ear, and…
Sylvain has a lovely grandmother called Mamie. He likes her very very very much, but he does not like her little finger very much… A super book about the total complicity between a littleboy and his grandma. The illustrations are a combination of photos, collages and drawings, delicately mixing a world of dreams with reality.
31 x 22 cm / 28 p. / 13 € / Age: 6
The boy with a heart full of love by François David, illustrated by Stasys Eidrigevicius illustrated by
31 x 22 cm / 32 p. / 13 € / Age: 3
Few writers, few artists all over the world have been able to are able - to transcend the questions intended for children, about one’s identity.
François David questions / wonders/about the way we love. The book says a lot about our feelings towards the others. An initiation tale powerfully illustrated. 27v x 33 cm / 30 p. / 13 € / Age: 6
Mrs. de Punchinello’s secret by Julie Lannes Mrs. De Punchinello secretly grows mysterious things in her house. The whole town and a spy, Mrs. F. Ork, are wondering what. A red «magnifying glass» lets the reader discover the secret hidden in every page and even gives the «recipe» at the end! Everyone is attracted straightaway by this lovely book which has a secret hidden in every page… the ending, which we will not reveal here, is unexpected and optimistic with regard to human relations. 21 x 22 cm / 40 p. / 16 € / Age: 6
Sugar on the head by Thomas Vinau, illustrated by Lisa Nanni
Sugar on the head evokes an ecological question with beauty, humour and a real visual quality. What would the world and our life be like with sugar everywhere ? 17 x 24 cm / 38 p. / 11 € / Age: 6
Red by Alice Brière-Haquet, illustrated by Elise Carpentier Every day of the week, a grandmother whose favourite colour is red, knits something for her grand daughter, but every day the result is a disaster! On the 7th day, at last, she has a bright idea… she will make a garment with a red hood. 14 x 16 cm / 36 p. / 11 € / Age: 6
The lady selling winds
Mrs. Zephyr sells all sorts of winds. A boy buys some westerly wind to fly his kite: if he wins the kite competition, he will be able to go and see the snow for the first time. Even if it is the little girl in red who wins, this poetic story has a happy ending, for the two children and for the wind seller as well!
21 x 24 cm / 26 p. / 12 € / Age: 6
The stars have fallen down by François David, illustrated by Agnès Propeck It is a beautiful book, which must be supported near the young and less young, as a fight for Fraternity and Peace. The voices of Agnès Popeck (photographer) and of François David (writer) powerfully match in this pure and terribly moving song. 20 x 20 cm / 48 p. / 12 € / Age: 7
My beloved by François David, illustrated by Marc Solal A poem with singing words by François David. His search for the loved one is accompanied by the beautiful photos of Marc Solal as far as the final meeting. It is very simple and very moving. 23 x 20 cm / 44 p. / 12 € / Age: 7
To see or not to see by François David, illustrated by Marc Solal A book to be seen and touched. The story of three little girls and the difference when they play in the dark. There is a summary in Braille at the end. 13 x 21 cm / 32 p. / 11 € / Age: 7
When a little girl by Carole Lepan, illustrated by Macellin
A delicately moving and poetic book of a little girl’s memories: her grand-father’s old car, the day when she invented wind, and how she discovered Life and her Difference.
16 x 16 cm / 28 p. / 11 € / Age: 6
The snow-child by François David, illustrated by Marc Solal The text is in white goffering on a white background. The reader discovers that the child, hidden among the snow flakes, has been present from the first page. A rare correlation between the story and the book itself. 20 x 26 cm / 28 p. / 15 € / Age: 7
The little girl who walked on the lines by Christine Beigel, illustrated by Alain Korkos (Plaquette d’Or Prize at Bratislava Biennial, 2005)
Age: 6 / 25 x 25 cm / 32 p. / 13 € The text – after a game which we all played when children – is completed by the illustrations, a homage to painter Paul Klee. From page to page, the children have to follow the little characters along a yellow line with their finger. A journey that ends well. (It is a book for very young non readers as well.)
Is she Estelle? by François David, illustrated by Alain Gauthier One single sentence which continues page after page, thus making a book for discovering the pleasure of playing with words. Age: 5 / 23 x 29 cm / 40 p. / 13 €
Children of the moon and sun by François David, illustrated by Henri Galeron A book for little children about mixed blood, altogether surprising, entertaining and really beautiful: A black mother / A black father / and a little black boy A white mother / A white father / and a little white girl A black mother / A white father / and a black and white child A white mother / A black father / and a quicksilver child and then a golden father / and then a golden mother /and then a gilded beloved child Age: 3 / 15 x 24 cm / 30 p. / 11 € … beloved like all small creatures.
Friend, where are you ? by François David, illustrated by Marc Solal A very poetic stroll with surprises in store : a puddle becoming a rabbit, rocks... crocodiles, and a cow hide... a lovely panda’s head! A tale of friendship and superb amazingly unusual photos.
Age: 4 / 20 x 27 cm / 32 p. / 13 €
Head in the clouds by François David, illustrated by Marc Solal These beautiful photos of clouds and the poems matching them make a marvellous book acknowledged everywhere!
The copyright has been bought by Japan, Germany, Spain, U.K., China, Taiwan and is available again for Korea. 27 x 22 cm / 44 p. / 10,50 € / Age: 9
Him and Her by François David, illustrated by Consuelo de Mont-Marin A moving union between Consuelo de Montmarin’s clay sculptures and a beautiful and tender poem by François David. Love, far from the biological explanations which are not what children are looking for…
Nasr Eddin Hodja, a funny idiot by Jean-Louis Maunoury, illustrated byHenri Galeron NASR EDDIN HODJA is supposed to be an idiot. A real idiot laughed at by people, or does he pretend to be one to mislead them? A wise idiot?
25 x 21 cm / 64 p. / 12,20 € Age: 9
Age: 6 / 21 x 21 cm / 80 p. / 12,50 €
Mrs. Phô in the underground by Anaïs Escot, illustrated by Pierre Lebigre A little Asian woman dressed in red, with her black hair flying behind her, has rushed down from the top of the stairs, and all at once everything becomes wonderful… even the underground! A beautiful story full of optimism. Age: 9 26 x 22 cm 50 p. / 11 €
Child’s words by Gilles Pennaneac’h and Rémi «Mum, were you there when I was born?»
The authentic words of a little boy who discovers the world of the grown-ups around him. Wonderful findings like all the children’s… Age: 5 / 12 x 13,2 cm / 41 p. / 5,50 €
Poetry The word eaters
A garden on the tip of the tongue
by François David, illutrated by Dominique Maes
by Constantin Kaïtéris,
15 x 21 cm / 72 p. 10 € / Age: 7
A book full of humour and poetry which gives you an appetite. The amusing illustrations match the text.
Don’t say a word
A book full of humour which makes the reader like words! The funny and beautiful illustrations really go with the poems. 15 x 21 cm / 70 p. “What a delight!” (The Press) 10 € / Age: 7
by François David, illustrated by Henri Galeron How to say much with few words. A text about the beauty of silence and of shared secrets. The poems superbly link mystery and humour. A super illustrated book 15 x 21 cm / 71 p. / 10 € / Age: 7
Nightlight by Janine Teisson , illustrated by Joanna Concejo Janine Teissons’s very short poems speak of the moon to speak of our childhood. You can’t help seeing a little of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in the story and drawings. 15 x 21 cm / 64 p. / 10 € / Age: 6
The sun is dying in a blade of grass by Jean Rivet, illustrated by Aude Léonard A poet and his two grand daughters, Charlotte and Margaux. Love, life and death… The passing of time… A very fine book for all ages. To read and to offer, to yourself as well. 15 x 21 cm / 48 p. / 10 € / Age: from 7
An elephant in paradise
A cow in my bedroom
by Thierry Cazals, illustrated byAna Yael by Dominique Cagnard, illustrated by Aude Léonard AN ELEPHANT IN PARADISE is a book full of poetry, tenderness, Poetry has the first and most smiles and questions since: important place in Dominique Paradise is not made Cagnard’s life. The illustrations by of pink clouds Aude Leonard are in perfect nor of chubby angels accordance with the tender and softly moving their wings powerful texts. to amuse our sleeping hearts 15 x 21 cm / 56 p. / 10 € / Age: 8 15 x 21 cm / 68 p. / 10 € / Age: 7
My hens can speak by Michel Besnier, illustrated by Henri Galeron Poems full of fun, mixed with a rare poetic quality as well, by Michel Besnier. Superb, surprising and side-splitting illustrations by Henri Galeron. 15 x 21 cm / 64 p. / 10 € / Age: 6
The ratty rap by Michel Besnier, illustrated by Henri Galeron A book of poems where you will find again Michel Besnier’s poetical creativity, his imagination and fun. Extraordinary illustrations by Henri Galeron. 15 x 21 cm / 72 p. / 10 € / Age: 8
The hare’s little white bottom by Thierry Cazals, illustrated by Zaü Contrary to what is sometimes thought, it is extremely difficult to write haikus that will be altogether dense and light. And funny. Thierry Cazals has succeeded perfectly in this book for young readers, illustrated by Zaü. 21 x 15 cm / 66 p. / 10 € / Age: 6
The child who did not exist by Nicole Schneegans, illustrated by Romuald Reutimann A king had no heir but he did not want to divorce his queen, «for the King loved his Queen / And the Queen loved her King»…so they invented a child (who is hidden and growing in each picture), 15 x 21 cm / 44 p. / 10 € / Age: 6
The waterfalls’ laughter by Alain Boudet, illustrated by Michelle Daufresne Alain Boudet’s very short and very dense poems enhanced by the superb paintings of Michelle Dufresne. A mixture of poetry and humour. 12 x 17 cm / 60 p. / 10 € / Age: 9
Mouchoir de Poche Collection 10,5 x 15 cm / 32 p. / 4,50 € Sundays when the weather is nice The Krnouk by Mai-liên Nguyen Duy by Marie Colot Since he heard his father say that he was «a mentally retarded child «, a boy is ready for anything to gain his Dad’s respect and his love. A very moving small book which makes us discover from inside the feelings of the young boy. Age: 7
A half-daft giraffe by Séverine Vidal Who, as a child, hasn’t got one’s little tics, one’s own peculiar ways and funny habits in the hope to vanquish one’s fears? The great quality of the book lies in a tender and humoristic evocation without any dramatization. Age: 6
A birdie, birdies by Chantal Dupuy-Dunier In 2106, a time when people have forgotten what a bird looks like, a child sees a very strange «thing» with a pointed mouth, in her garden… Age: 7
Do not wake up the draggon! by Chritine Beigel Young readers can choose the way they like to read this playful and very funny story. Christine Beigel shows here another side of her talent, already apparent in «The little girl who walked on the lines». Age: 6
Little red chicken byClaude Marie Louise, the spiteful grey hen, is always laughing at Mother Hen’s son who is a little too fat to her taste, and sends him on a perilous errand. But he manages to save the tribe and learns how to become strong, in spite of - or rather thanks to her! Age: 7
Who is that terrible and horrible Krnouk who frightens all the family? Everybody can feel that he is near them, however nobody ever speaks of him. A little girl, Zélie, will do all that she can so that they SPEAK ABOUT him! An approach full of humour about fears and unsaid things. Age: 6
The child afraid of silence by Thierry Cazals Igor has been afraid of silence since the day he found his gold fish dead. So he is making as much noise as he can all the time, until he stops to listen to a little girl. Age: 6
One night byChristine Féret-Fleury An apparently simple but very moving story. Christmas is a time of rejoicing for everybody, except for the man in his red car at the foot of a block of flats. It is snowing and freezing cold. Age: 6
Never by Marc Solal When I grow up, I’ll never have hairs in my ears… I’ll never sleep in front of the telly, NEVER! Age: 6
Word fishing by Joëlle Ecormier An evocation of the demanding act of writing, which needs concentration and solitude. The mystery of creation seen through fishing, the patience and solitude it demands. You throw your line and hook into the water and wait, hoping to catch… fish? words? inspiration? Age: 7
