Books for children
Transkrypt
Books for children
Grupa Wydawnicza Foksal Rights Catalogue Books for children Spring/Summer 2013 contact us at Grupa Wydawnicza Foksal sp. z o.o. ul. Foksal 17, 00-372 Warszawa Poland tel. 22 828 98 08, 22 894 60 54 e-mail: [email protected] www.gwfoksal.pl www.wab.com.pl www.wilga.com.pl www.buchmann.com.pl Blanka Wośkowiak – Rights Director [email protected] Anna A. Rakoczy – Rights Specialist [email protected] content 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 Joanna Buczkowska The Book of Wishes Iwona Czarkowska Kazio and the Chest Full of Vampires Iwona Czarkowska Kazio and the School Full of Vampires, Kazio in the Town Full of Vampires Iwona Czarkowska The Shadow of an Angel Iwona Czarkowska Antos Zeberko, Kuba and the Sock-Napping Gang Joanna Fabicka Rudolf ’s Crazy Life Joanna Fabicka At a Pig’s Trot Joanna Fabicka Sex and Other Troubles Joanna Fabicka Tango Ortodonto Liliana Fabisińska Amor from Rozkoszna Street Liliana Fabisińska Amor and the Ghost Kidnappers Grzegorz Kasdepke and Barbara Kosmowska The Big Bang, or K versus K Ewa Kleszcz Princesses from all over the World Barbara Kosmowska lonelyhearts.pl Barbara Kosmowska The Girl from the Park Marek Lorenc Mieszko – a Footballer’s Footballer Zygmunt Miłoszewski Mountains of Adders Katarzyna Berenika Miszczuk Katarzyna Berenika Miszczuk I am a She-Devil Katarzyna Berenika Miszczuk I am a She-Angel Katarzyna Berenika Miszczuk I’ll be Damned Katarzyna Berenika Miszczuk Wolf Katarzyna Berenika Miszczuk She-wolf Joanna Olech Tarantula, Meatball and Hercules Marcin Pałasz The Curious Incidents of Ferdinand the Vermin Marcin Pałasz Deathbusters Eliza Piotrowska Franek, Hela, Bobas and the Trojan Horse Monika Rakusa Fairytales for Anthony Dariusz Rekosz Black Matthew and the Book from Venice Dariusz Rekosz Black Matthew and the Tower of Death Dariusz Rekosz Black Matthew and the Tunnel of Fear Dariusz Rekosz The Treasure of the Kings Piotr Rowicki All Because of Amanda Piotr Rowicki Greek Myths Agnieszka Sobich Princess Karolinka can’t get to sleep Agnieszka Stelmaszyk The dragon who wanted to become a knight Agnieszka Stelmaszyk Beza’s looking for a home Agnieszka Stelmaszyk Tiny has a big heart, Graffite is in trouble Agnieszka Stelmaszyk Runaway Hugo, Lara can do anything Małgorzata Strękowska-Zaremba Detective Kefirek on the Trail of the Skeleton Małgorzata Strękowska-Zaremba Detective Kefirek and the First Corpse Małgorzata Strękowska-Zaremba Detective Kefirek and the Great-grandson Adriana Szymańska Taja of Jasmine Street Tomasz Trojanowski The Great Come Back Tomasz Trojanowski Fugitives Grupa Wydawnicza Foksal sp. z o.o., ul. Foksal 17, 00-372 Warszawa, Poland, tel. 22 828 98 08, 22 894 60 54; e-mail: [email protected] 3 Joanna Buczkowska Joanna Buczkowska (b. 1975) – a psychologist who has worked in a hospice for several years. She has a nine-yearold daughter. The author is writing the next parts of Kathy’s advantures. The Book of Wishes THE FIRST PART OF THE CYCLE Księga życzeń 2012 novel, 12.3 x 19.5 cm, paperback, 240 pages A wise, warm book for younger children Avagoh is the land of the Elves and the Coloured Ones, whose faces change colour depending on their emotional state. Unfortunately, this beautiful place is threatened with destruction. The magic is weakening, and Eteria – who has stolen the Book of Wishes – is probably behind it. Tenyear-old Kathy – a visitor from another world – is the only person who can help. This over-inquisitive and talkative young lady with an unruly fringe has to find the Book. But where should she look? The girl sets off on a long, difficult journey, accompanied by a moaning cheetah, a unicorn with a broken horn and a stoat who hates being called a ferret. A book imbued with fantastic invention, artistically and interestingly painting a new, unknown world simultaneously delights with its profundity, penetrating the psyche and the character. (…) The author has endowed her story with a light touch and humour, thanks to which getting to know the book becomes a real pleasure. www.urodaizdrowie.pl The book doesn’t tell a story about the fight of good and evil. It sensitises children about the importance of trust and how it’s worth trusting others, even if it sometimes backfires against us. It shows how much harm the absence of trust, misunderstanding, stereotypes and intolerance can cause. The author also warns against a too radical attitude to upholding traditions. Traditions are indeed important, but at times we ought to create new ones in order to keep moving forward, and to live better and more wisely. www.mnz.pl Rights Director: Blanka Wośkowiak, e-mail: [email protected]; Rights Specialist: Anna A. Rakoczy, e-mail: [email protected] 4 Iwona Czarkowska Iwona Czarkowska – mother of Kuba, trained as a serious journalist, but prefers to write for children (and possibly for any adults around who aren’t astonished when someone says that a submarine being piloted by a dwarf is moving around in their bath). She made her debut in 2005 with stories published in the Polish children’s magazine Świerszczyk. She’s the author of the series about Kazio and the friendly vampires and the novel for young adults The Shadow of an Angel. In 2009, she won a distinction in the competition organised by the publisher Telbit, and 3rd place in the Astrid Lindgren competition in 2010. Kazio and the Chest Full of Vampires Kazio i skrzynia pełna wampirów 2012 Novel, 80 pages, 20 x 14 cm, paperback Vampires aren’t bad at all! One day, seven-year-old Kazio and his busy mum, his artist dad, his insufferable elder sister and his fidgetty younger brother move into a strange old house, on the edge of the small town of Wampirzyce. The dachshund Vampire is also crucial here. Kazio, as is his style, was being nosey. First, he found some false teeth, and then he searched through the attic full of dust, dead flies, flattened cardboard boxes and broken chairs. He found a battered, wooden chest behind a grandfather clock with a broken dial. Just like the one from the story about the vampires. He looked inside... And then everything happened at lightning speed. First he met Granny Fibrycukella, and then her brother Hongogard and Uncle Drakula. And last but not least, granddaughter Zuzulinda. He’d met a normal vampire family! He’d met a normal vampire family, who love garlic and the colour red. And the book tells the story about how a life full of surprises and human-vampire friendship unfolds in one particular house. Vampires aren’t bad at all! Grupa Wydawnicza Foksal sp. z o.o., ul. Foksal 17, 00-372 Warszawa, Poland, tel. 22 828 98 08, 22 894 60 54; e-mail: [email protected] 5 Iwona Czarkowska Kazio and the School Full of Vampires Kazio i szkoła pełna wampirów 2012 Novel, 80 pages, 20 x 14 cm, paperback Kazio in the Town Full of Vampires Kazio w miasteczku pełnym wampirów 2012 Novel, 80 pages, 20 x 14 cm, paperback On a hill outside town stood a castle, which belonged to Uncle Drakula. A school for vampires was supposed to be built there! But hold on... would Mr Zlak like to sabotage their plans? And isn’t it strange that Zuzulinda – unlike Kazio – dreams about going to school? Oh, things are going to get lively in that castle! But unfortunately, Zuzulinda and Kazio didn’t meet a single vampire there. Perhaps because it was the holidays? Or maybe because vampires sleep at night? Isn’t garlic awesome? One day, a headline appeared in the local newspaper: VAMPIRES ARE ATTACKING! But hold on, hold on... doesn’t Kazio know loads of vampires and none of them are dangerous? Who stands to gain if people start being afraid of them? And who’s behind the plot, and who has kidnapped Professor Gurgul? Kazio, Antek, Zuzulida, Granny Fibrycukella and Granpa Hongogard have to solve these mysteries. It’s going to start getting hot in Milusin! Rights Director: Blanka Wośkowiak, e-mail: [email protected]; Rights Specialist: Anna A. Rakoczy, e-mail: [email protected] 6 Iwona Czarkowska The Shadow of an Angel Cień anioła 2012 Novel, 380 pages, 12.5 x 19.5 cm, paperback At first sight, Karol Sobota doesn’t seem to stand out in any special way – he has similar problems and interests to thousands of other teenagers. But everything changes one day, when Karol bumps into... an angel on a Warsaw street. And then he comes to realise that there are many, many more angels. Who are they and want do they want from him? Who’s who? Who’s pretending to be who? Who’s good and who’s bad? Have you ever seen them? Is it possible they were with him every day? That they live among us? And that they... don’t always have good intentions? Czarkowska’s book enchants readers from the very first page and draws them into its intriguing universe. The action in The Shadow of an Angel is masterfully developed, and its twists are astonishing and make readers want more and more. The rustle of pages being turned is similar to the swoosh of angels’ feathers in the wings of the Warsaw angels. Grupa Wydawnicza Foksal sp. z o.o., ul. Foksal 17, 00-372 Warszawa, Poland, tel. 22 828 98 08, 22 894 60 54; e-mail: [email protected] 7 Iwona Czarkowska Antos Zeberko, Kuba and the Sock-Napping Gang Antoś Żeberko, Kuba i Gang Porywaczy Skarpetek Whoever has never lost a sock raise their hand! Going once...? Going twice! Has the Sock-Napping Gang (aka the SNG) ever operated in your house...? Never fear; the knight, Sir Antos Zeberko, will soon leap into action! You’ll solve the puzzle of the mysterious gang with him. 2012 Novel, 120 pages, 14 x 21 cm, paperback Rights Director: Blanka Wośkowiak, e-mail: [email protected]; Rights Specialist: Anna A. Rakoczy, e-mail: [email protected] 8 Joanna Fabicka Joanna Fabicka (b. 1970) graduated in cinematography. She made her poetry début in 1993 with A More Acrid Taste. In 2002 she published a novel for young people entitled Rudolf ’s Crazy Life, which was very well received by readers. The book’s sequel, At a Pig’s Trot, appeared in 2004. The third part of the Rudolf series – Sex and Other Troubles – was published in 2005 and the fourth part – Tango Ortodonto – in 2006. The author is currently working on a new book. Rudolf ’s Crazy Life Szalone życie Rudolfa 2002 pocket edition 2005 NOVEL, 224 pages, 12.5 x 19.5 cm, paperback other titles At a Pig’s Trot Świnskim truchtem, 2004 Sex and Other Troubles Seks i inne przykrości, 2005 Tango Ortodonto Tango Ortodonto, 2006 rights sold Rudolf’s Crazy Life Russia Phantom Press Rudolf Gąbczak is a fourteen year old at grips with the travails and humiliations of adolescence. He can’t wait for the moment he will be God’s gift to women, as his namesake, Rudolf Valentino. He is not troubled by the fact that his only achievement so far has been to win first prize in his school’s most disliked person contest. Rudolf’s greatest hardships have to do with his family: a feminist mother who founded a Tough Wives’ Group called “Hydra”; a failure of a father who seeks solace in the arms of a Korean artist; a grandmother in love with a matrimonial con-artist and Gonzo, his five-year old nephew who raises hell and whose parents, a couple of active environmentalists, prefer to spend their time saving the whales than caring for their offspring. The tragicomic adventures of Rudolf, witty dialogues, and the crazy tempo of events reflect the author’s fertile imagination and talent. This book is absolutely funny. www.CZYTELNIA.ONET.PL Certainly, if you are looking for a read that is light, enjoyable, funny and, in may ways, not too far removed from your daily affairs, you found it. GAZETA POMORSKA Meet Polish Adrian Mole! This is a book for all who have a sense of humor and can laugh at themselves – for adults as well. PORADNIK DOMOWY Grupa Wydawnicza Foksal sp. z o.o., ul. Foksal 17, 00-372 Warszawa, Poland, tel. 22 828 98 08, 22 894 60 54; e-mail: [email protected] 9 Joanna Fabicka Over 50 000 copies of the series sold! At a Pig’s Trot Świnskim truchtem 2004 NOVEL, 248 pages, 12.5 x 19.5 cm, paperback other titles Rudolf’s Crazy Life Szalone życie Rudolfa, 2002, pocket edition 2005 Sex and Other Troubles Seks i inne przykrości, 2005 Tango Ortodonto The continuation of the diary of fifteen-year-old Rudolf Gąbczak, whose life is an unending series of letdowns, problems and drama. His beloved goes off with the leader of a hip-hop band, by some miracle he manages to survive a survivalist camp, and to make matters worse, Rudolf’s older brother Philip comes back home. Rudolf’s mother opens a psychotherapy office for people bored with their success that specializes in inducing depression. Rudolf’s grandmother would feel much better if she ceased complaining about the indecency of Pola Negri who, many years ago, had broken her film star career for ever. Not many people would bear all this and manage to pass their high-school entrance exams and, on top of it all, play a debut acting role in an avant-garde play entitles, Guts, Innards, and Excrement. Despite everything, Rudolf believes strongly in his good star, and fate sends him a real friend in the shape of an Egyptian named Osiris. Tango Ortodonto, 2006 rights sold Rudolf’s Crazy Life Russia Phantom Press A sense of humor, according to me, forms the basis of force vital. In my opinion, a human being has four driving forces: eros, thanatos, logos, and his sense of humor. JOANNA FABICKA Rudolf comes back! Rights Director: Blanka Wośkowiak, e-mail: [email protected]; Rights Specialist: Anna A. Rakoczy, e-mail: [email protected] 10 Joanna Fabicka Sex and Other Troubles Seks i inne przykrości 2005 NOVEL, 280 pages, 12.5 x 19.5 cm, paperback other titles Rudolf’s Crazy Life Szalone życie Rudolfa, 2002, pocket edition 2005 At a Pig’s Trot Świnskim truchtem, 2004 Tango Ortodonto Tango Ortodonto, 2006 rights sold Rudolf’s Crazy Life Russia Phantom Press Does growing up ever end? Rudolf Gąbczak, the hero of Rudolf’s Crazy Life and At a Pig’s Trot, strives to survive the ceaseless stream of catastrophes characteristic for this terrible stage in a person’s development. Faithful to his artistic ambitions, he is ready to make sacrifices in the name of Art. To his surprise, he winds up making a career in the hip-hop band. He also founds an amateur theatre and a pacifist organization, which leads to terrible (and hilarious) consequences. Apart from that, Rudolf’s father fights against a right wing political party, his sissified nephew organizes youth gangs in school, his mother turns into a Sunday anarchist, and Rudolf’s girlfriend turns into a teenage mother... Will Rudolf finally succeed in crossing the threshold of true adulthood? This third part of the adventures of Rudolf Gąbczak is, as usual, full of apt observations on everyday Polish life, terrible and burlesque occurrences, and sparkling humor. Reviews of previous books: Light and pleasurable read, calling forth laughter time and time again. This book can be recommended to any reader yearning for a few moments of decent entertainment. www.ESENSJA.PL Grupa Wydawnicza Foksal sp. z o.o., ul. Foksal 17, 00-372 Warszawa, Poland, tel. 22 828 98 08, 22 894 60 54; e-mail: [email protected] 11 Joanna Fabicka Tango Ortodonto tango ortodonto 2006 NOVEL, 252 pages, 12.5 x 19.5 cm, paperback other titles Rudolf’s Crazy Life The entire world treats Rudolph as a complete loser, although he considers himself a genius and a conqueror. Destiny puts forward arguments to both sides: having failed his exams to acting school Rudolph manages to enter elite film studies. The new environment obviously means new problems: the lack of money, the irritating roommates, the injured mandible. However soon the wheel of fortune will turn and the young filmmaker will embark on an exciting and distant journey. The fourth part of Joanna Fabicka’s series is just as wonderful as the previous ones. In Tango Ortodonto Rudolph is almost grown up, but the style of the novel remains youthfully vigorous. The clarity of language, intelligent dialogues and plenty of sharp wit make Fabicka’s novels a pleasant read for all ages. Szalone życie Rudolfa, 2002, pocket edition 2005 At a Pig’s Trot Świnskim truchtem, 2004 Sex and Other Troubles Seks i inne przykrości, 2005 This book is fantastically funny; accurate observations of Polish reality, perfectly observing people as they are. Be careful: before you start to read this book you should squeeze yourself very tight with a belt so as not to explode with laughter. rights sold Rudolf’s Crazy Life Russia Phantom Press Rights Director: Blanka Wośkowiak, e-mail: [email protected]; Rights Specialist: Anna A. Rakoczy, e-mail: [email protected] DZIEŃ DOBRY 12 Liliana Fabisińska Liliana Fabisińska (b. 1971) is a journalist and the author of theatre pieces and books for children and young people. Her debut novel Amor from Rozkoszna Street received an honorable mention in the youth novel competition entitled “Believe in the Strength of Imagination.” The second part of the Amor series – Amor and the Ghost Kidnappers was issued in 2006. The author works currently on the third part of the series. Amor from Rozkoszna Street amor z ulicy rozkosznej 2005 NOVEL, 12.5 x 19.5 cm, paperback, 388 pages other titles Amor and the Ghost Kidnappers Amor i porywacze duchów, 2006 rights sold Amor from Rozkoszna Street Russia Phantom Press Eleven-year-old Amor Korzonek lives with his parents – a couple of absent-minded scientists – in a small apartment in a Warsaw. When the opportunity presents itself to move to a modest little house located on Rozkoszna (Joyful) Street in a little suburban locality, the Korzoneks don’t hesitate a minute. But then strange things start to happen – the modest house turns out to be a luxurious residence supposedly visited by ghosts and the boy hears a mysterious voice in the bathroom, telling him that it is he, Amor, who is to save the world. The house is inhabited by two invisible dragons: bad Swimmer, who wants to destroy the world of fairy tales and fantasy, and good – Wiltor – who tries to make that difficult for him. Fortunately for Amor, he finds help of Kunegunda – an extremely clever eleven-year-old, uncle Władek – a policeman, and Amor’s best friend – Jacek. Amor from Rozkoszna Street is an adventure for children and teenagers – full of good humour, secrets, and unexpected turns of events. It demonstrates the value of friendship and courage, imagination and independence, as well as openness: even a dragon can be a friend. The boy, faced with difficult ethic choices, proves to be courageous enough to take action. Thus his mission to save the world begins. An excellent read. www.DZIENNIK POLSKI A novel written with humour and filled with unexpected action shifts. It is exactly what children and teenagers like to read nowadays. Difficult to put down, you need to read it wherever you are. GAZETA OLSZTYŃSKA Grupa Wydawnicza Foksal sp. z o.o., ul. Foksal 17, 00-372 Warszawa, Poland, tel. 22 828 98 08, 22 894 60 54; e-mail: [email protected] 13 Liliana Fabisińska Amor and the Ghost Kidnappers amor i porywacze duchów 2006 NOVEL, 12.5 x 19.5 cm, paperback, 460 pages The second part of the adventures of Amor Korzonek, a boy who challenged two opponent dragons and saved the world from disaster. Fate has still some surprising tasks for him. How to spare Wiltor, a huge greenwinged dragon, from the curious eyes? What to feed his brother changed into stork, who is desperately scared of marshy landscapes? And if this seems not enough Plywalec suddenly disappears without a trace... Even the biggest doubter shall not be able to resist the charm of the book! Amor from Rozkoszna Street by Liliana Fabisińska is a novel written with humour and filled with unexpected action shifts. It is exactly what children and teenagers like to read nowadays. Difficult to put down, you need to read it wherever you are. GAZETA OLSZTYŃSKA other titles Amor from Rozkoszna Street Amor z ulicy Rozkosznej, 2005 rights sold From reviews of Amor from Rozkoszna Street Amor and his parents are in grave danger. The boy, faced with difficult ethic choices, proves to be courageous enough to take action. Thus his mission to save the world begins. An excellent read. Amor from Rozkoszna Street Russia Phantom Press Rights Director: Blanka Wośkowiak, e-mail: [email protected]; Rights Specialist: Anna A. Rakoczy, e-mail: [email protected] DZIENNIK POLSKI 14 Grzegorz Kasdepke and Barbara Kosmowska Grzegorz Kasdepke (b. 1972) – children and YA writer, playwright and journalist. Graduated from the Faculty of Journalism and Political Science at the University of Warsaw. Used to be the chief editor of a magazine for children „Świerszczyk”. The laureate of many literary awards. Barbara Kosmowska – see page 16 The Big Bang, or K versus K Wielki wybuch, czyli Ka kontra Ka 2012 Novel, 144 pages, 16 x 21 cm, hardcover Hey, do you know anyone who’s average, but knows how to imagine they are someone else; amazing, loved by everyone, talented, brave...? The central characters of this book – Xenia and Kryspin – are brilliant at that. They don’t know each other in real life, but they are team members in the online game “Star Knights”. They talk using email and often tell incredible stories about themselves. But how long can you pretend to be someone you’re not? And then will it be possible to find true friends? Grupa Wydawnicza Foksal sp. z o.o., ul. Foksal 17, 00-372 Warszawa, Poland, tel. 22 828 98 08, 22 894 60 54; e-mail: [email protected] 15 Ewa Kleszcz Ewa Kleszcz is a writer and translator. Princesses from all over the World Księżniczki z różnych stron świata 2012 Legends, 28 pages, 31 x 31 cm, hardcover Fourteen stories about fairytale princesses from the furthers corners of the world. Sofia from Greece, Leila from the East, Carmen from Spain, Kasumi from Japan, Nontle from Africa, Lumi from the far North, Moana from Oceania... And also White Cloud, Amira, Nadezhda, Fiamentta, Chen, Drina and Mirabella. The princesses described in the stories aren’t ordinary girls. Each of them is extraordinary; each of them has some kind of secret; just like in the tale of the Thousand And One Nights. Fairytale illustrations and the book’s very large format means that each story is a picture from a beautiful painting album. You’ll learn about the princesses’ intelligence, sensitivity, courage and beauty. You’ll discover what their unusual names mean. The portraits in our book weren’t only painted with a brush, but also with words. Which princess is most like you? The one who’s in love or the one that’s always cheerful? That dreamer or that responsible one? The one how cares for animals or the one who loves dancing more than anything else? What a beautiful present for big and small dreamers! Rights Director: Blanka Wośkowiak, e-mail: [email protected]; Rights Specialist: Anna A. Rakoczy, e-mail: [email protected] 16 Barbara Kosmowska Barbara Kosmowska (b. 1958) – poet and writer. Made her debut while still at school. In the 1980s, she picked up numerous prizes in poetry competitions. She works at the Pomeranian Pedagogical Academy, in the Philology and History Faculty. She is the author of books for adults, including: The Hungry Cat, 2000; Private Land, 2002; The Blue Bus, 2004; Hermańce, W.A.B. 2008. Her book for teenagers, Buba, 2002, won first prize in the competition “Believe in the Power of the Imagination”. Other books for younger readers include: The Silly Season, 2007; and The Gilded Fish, 2007, which received an award in the Astrid Lindgren Competition. She wrote the book Myślinki for children in 2005. She is currently working on The Ukrainian Woman, for adults. Her The Girl from the Park for children was published in 2011. Barbara Kosmowska lives in Bytów. lonelyhearts.pl samotni.pl 2011 Novel, 12.5 x 19.5, paperback, 232 pages other titles Joanna has a book of letters to her mother, which she never sends; Kaja is a few kilos overweight and has a raft of complexes; Wiktor has a sick grandmother, suspicious mates and a useless collection of model aeroplanes. When their paths cross, will it be easy for them to say farewell to the supposed carefreeness of childhood and enter the brutal world of adults? The entire threesome has to be careful in their haste not to lose sight of what is most important – true friendship and love. This is a warm, moving story of sensitivity, of smiling through tears, of coming to know and accept oneself and about the problems every young person has to deal with. The Girl from the Park Dziewczyna z parku, 2012 The Big Bang or K versus K Wielki wybuch, czyli Ka kontra Ka I recommend lonelyhearts.pl to everyone, not just the young and the rebellious. After all, we’ve all lost something, we’re all looking for something and we’re all lonely one way or the other. www.sztukater.pl In spite of the difficult subject matter the book is written in a very upbeat and pleasant way, typical for the author. The motifs of friendship and love interweaving with motifs of sadness after the loss of loved ones create a moving book, which is a wonderful example that we shouldn’t give up! Girls are sure to love it, as aside from books about boy-meetsgirl romances they love to read about everyday love: for parents, grandparents, siblings and friends. www.recenzje-mlodziezowe.blogspot.com Grupa Wydawnicza Foksal sp. z o.o., ul. Foksal 17, 00-372 Warszawa, Poland, tel. 22 828 98 08, 22 894 60 54; e-mail: [email protected] 17 Barbara Kosmowska Barbara Kosmowska − poet, writer, literature expert. Cat and dog lover. The author of the must-have series about Buba (main award in the “Believe in the Imagination” competition), The Thinkies (2005), the twice-awarded The Little Gilded Fish (2007), the ever-popular The Can (2009) and lonely.pl (W.A.B. 2011). She has also written books for adults: The Hungry Pussycat (2000), Private Land (2002), The Blue Bus (2004, W.A.B. 2011), Hermańce (W.A.B. 2008). She lives in Bytów. She is currently writing a new novel for adults – The Ukrainian Woman. The Girl from the Park is her latest book. The Girl from the Park Dziewczynka z parku 2012 novel ,14.5 x 18.5, hardback, illustrations,128 pages The Girl from the Park is about friendship, love, longing, acceptation and curiosity about the world... And it’s a book whose sentences shine like pearls. For Andzia that winter was totally different to all the others. Something awful had happened six months earlier – her dad died. Andzia misses everything that she connected with family life: playing ludo, chats around the table and the peach cheesecake that used to cheer people up. But she mainly misses the expeditions to the park, when her dad – a passionate birder – would teach her to see the beauty of nature. It’s hard to come to terms with suffering, but Andzia is helped by a secret her dad once told her. She can also rely on her friend, Jeremiasz, who puts the smile back on her face. Can Andzia let her friend in on the secret? A story about memories that hurt, but which are also the most valuable thing we possess. In spite of the difficult subject the book doesn’t seem to be overpowered by melancholy. Rather than thrilling, it evokes a certain nostalgia. A longing for what is transitory, what cannot be held onto. But it also draws attention to the values that ought to be important in our lives. Family, love and friendship. And it reminds us how important are the trivial aspects of everyday life, like a delicious, fresh cheesecake or the smile on the face of a loved one. The prose is accompanied by Emilia Dziubak’s beautiful illustrations. It’s worth leafing through the book just for their sake. And when you start doing that – believe me – there’s no way you won’t want to delve deeper into the entire book. www.czytadelko.blox.pl Rights Director: Blanka Wośkowiak, e-mail: [email protected]; Rights Specialist: Anna A. Rakoczy, e-mail: [email protected] 18 Marek Lorenc Mieszko – a Footballer’s Footballer A wonderful book for young fans of football, and people who want to know everything about it. The story of Mieszko is the story about an adventure with football, about friendship and making dreams come true. And also plenty of important information and curiosities: what is the penalty area, the top corner, a first-time pass, who are the best footballers in the world, and how to dribble etc. Mieszko piłkarz nad piłkarze 2010 Story, 64 pages, 19 x 21 cm, hardcover Grupa Wydawnicza Foksal sp. z o.o., ul. Foksal 17, 00-372 Warszawa, Poland, tel. 22 828 98 08, 22 894 60 54; e-mail: [email protected] 19 Zygmunt Miłoszewski Zygmunt Miłoszewski (b. 1976) – a writer, journalist and scriptwriter. He debuted in 2005 with a very wellreceived novel, The Intercom. In 2006 his novel for young readers – Mountains of Adders was issued and in 2007 the author published Entanglement. A Grain of Truth is its continuation. In 2011 a film, Entanglement, based on the novel, was released. Mountains of Adders Góry Żmijowe 2006 NOVEL,172 pages, 14.5 x 18.5 cm, hardcover other titles The Intercom Domofon, 2005 Entaglement Uwikłanie, 2007 A Grain of Truth Ziarno prawdy, 2011 rights sold The Intercom Germany DTV the Netherlands van Gennep film rights sold In a style reminding us of fantasy, Zygmunt Miłoszewski’s Mountains of Adders is a legend written with lively language and with a very “film-like” character; a great lecture for children aged seven and older, who have grown-up on such films as Monsters Inc. or Shrek Mountains of Adders create an impenetrable, rocky wall between two lands: Szertata, land of a thousand lakes lost among forested hills, and Maare, seaside land of two suns. The world is ruled by the Old Magic, which determines the fate of each inhabitant. When the little princess of Maare, Filomena, revolts against her destiny she is sent to serve the Mountain’s guard, the monstrous Żmij (Adder): the lakes of Szertata dry up and Maare is completely frozen. Bringing back order to the world depends on Eryk, the son of a poor fisherman. The boy takes to the road, journeying towards the Mountains of Adders, where he is to find a bird of fire and collect its feathers. Miłoszewski successfully uses absurd humour but his book is also a story full of miraculous events about good and evil; about deserved reward and punishment. Entaglement Croatia Edicije Božičević Russia Ripol The Czech Republic Host Ukraine Urbino United Kingdom BitterLemon Press film rights sold Mountains of Adders Serbia IP Jovan Ukraina Vydavnictvo Staroho Leva Funnier than Shrek, shorter than Harry Potter, Great fun not only for kids A Grain of Truth The Czech Republic Host United Kingdom Bitter Lemon Press Rights Director: Blanka Wośkowiak, e-mail: [email protected]; Rights Specialist: Anna A. Rakoczy, e-mail: [email protected] 20 Katarzyna Berenika Miszczuk Katarzyna Berenika Miszczuk (b. 1988) – studying to be a doctor at Warsaw Medical University. She wrote her debut novel, Wolf, at the age of fifteen, and published it three years later, in 2006. It was nominated for the Nautilus Prize, awarded by readers in an annual poll for the best Polish fantasy novel. She followed it up in 2009 with She-Wolf. I am a She-Angel (2010) was the next in the series which began with I am a She-Devil. The third in the series, I am Damned was published in 2012. titles by the author I am a She-Devil Ja,diablica, 2010 I am a She-Angel Ja, anielica, 2011 I am Damned Ja, potępiona, 2012 Wolf Death is only the beginning Wilk, 2013 She-wolf Wilczyca, 2013 Colourful characters, lively dialogue and a smart heroine – that’s how to describe Katarzyna Berenika Miszczuk’s latest novel in a few words. www.carpenoctem.pl Grupa Wydawnicza Foksal sp. z o.o., ul. Foksal 17, 00-372 Warszawa, Poland, tel. 22 828 98 08, 22 894 60 54; e-mail: [email protected] 21 Katarzyna Berenika Miszczuk I am a She-Devil ja, diablica 2010 novel, 12.5 x 20 cm, paperback, 240 pages rights sold Russia Ripol audiobook film rights A pleasure to read. Nowe Książki What is life after death like? It’s not knowledge Wiktoria wanted to gain so early. It was supposed to be a normal evening in a Warsaw club, spent making cow eyes at Piotrek, a friend from school. A tragic coincidence? A schemed intrigue? The last thing she remembers are several knife stabs received on a path in an unlit park... Luckily hell is not as scary as they make you believe... Los Diablos – the city of the damned – welcomes its new citizens with a sunny beach, delicious food and parties at Satan’s place with Cleopatra and Rameses. Even Death is quite nice. Wiktoria gets the well-paid job of she-devil. Her duty is to bargain over the value of dead people’s souls. Thanks to this job she can come back to Earth and lead an almost normal life. Meanwhile, the bored demons plan to start a revolution in the land of Lucifer. What role is planned for the young she-devil? Who is she going to chose? Mortal Piotrek or seductive, golden-eyed, devilishly handsome Beleth? I Am a She-Devil is a mixture of colourful fantasy with an exciting criminal story and an emotional romance. A wonderful dynamic story, full of humour and brilliant observations about a girl who struggles to combine the safe life on Earth with her new lifeafter-death reality. I am a She-Devil is a combination of comedy, detective story, fantasy and romance. K.B. Miszczuk makes use of widely known pop-culture schemata, motifs and subjects – changing them, playing with them, referring to them and transforming. She throws heaps of charming humour into the mix and creates an explosive mixture. But how charming it is! www.asfaltowasciezka.blox.pl Rights Director: Blanka Wośkowiak, e-mail: [email protected]; Rights Specialist: Anna A. Rakoczy, e-mail: [email protected] 22 Katarzyna Berenika Miszczuk I am a She-Angel ja, anielica 2011 novel, 12.5 x 20 cm, paperback, 240 pages it’s hard to be an angel The sequel to the story of the she-devil Victoria! I, Victoria Biankowska, agree to be a temptress for the next sixtysix years. Oh, per-lease. It’s not going to happen. I’m not going to be a she-devil! No one’s going to con me into that again. Luring souls to Hell isn’t nice at all. I’m now living on Earth with my mortal Piotr, and I’m happy. I don’t plan to change it. I’m not going to meet Beleth, the handsome devil whose heart I stole. And anyway, it’s not going to happen. Right? But if it were possible? What would Victoria do if Beleth showed up in her life again and asked her to... help him get his angel wings back again? Would she be able to give that golden-eyed devil his dreams back? And also help him not to stay in Hell forever? One thing’s certain – it won’t happen without hiccups or twists in the story. Once again, the author treats us to a book full of laughs and acute observations about life in Heaven and Hell. Hell – you’d better read it! From reviews of I am a She-Devil: It reads effortlessly and easily, working on the reader like a magic, mood-improving pill. Exciting, sensational action, a moving love-story, hilarious scenes, interwoven with references from the classics – isn’t that enough to commend this book? www.obliczakultury.pl I read the book in two days. I liked Death most. from a reader’s review, www.merlin.pl I am a She-Devil is a real pearl – the author has a light touch, an ironic sense of humour and – most importantly – an original idea. from a reader’s review, www.lubimyczytac.pl Grupa Wydawnicza Foksal sp. z o.o., ul. Foksal 17, 00-372 Warszawa, Poland, tel. 22 828 98 08, 22 894 60 54; e-mail: [email protected] 23 Katarzyna Berenika Miszczuk I’ll be Damned Ja potępiona 2012 Novel, 12.5 x 20 cm, paperback, 416 pages Wiktoria Biankowska, former she-devil and failed angel, has got into difficulties for the third time. And everything began with a white cross on the pavement and a certain truck carrying frozen vegetables. The girl had thought that finally everything was beginning to slot into place. She was aware she was in love with the devil Beleth, had lost her divine powers and her great foe Moroni had been locked away in an angels’ prison. Moreover, the devil Azazel was taking a break from nastiness, busy cultivating his relationship with Queen Cleopatra. Life seemed beautiful. That is until she accidentally ended up in Tartarus. Will Charon, the infamous brother of Death, show Wiktoria the way out of the labyrinth? Will Hitler, one of the chiefs of the Underworld, acquire absolute power because of her? Will Princess Elisabeth Báthory bewitch Azazel? And most importantly – will Wiktoria finally win her Beleth? Writers views of her previous books: I am a She-Devil is an interesting, compelling read. It’s an undemanding read, and additionally works on the reader like a magic “cheer-up” pill. Sensational action, a moving romance, scenes fizzing with humour, quoting literary classics – isn’t that enough to recommend this book? WWW.OBLICZAKULTURY.PL I am a She-Devil is an absolute pearl – the author is talented, has a wry sense of humour and most importantly – a wonderful imagination. WWW.MERLIN.PL Rights Director: Blanka Wośkowiak, e-mail: [email protected]; Rights Specialist: Anna A. Rakoczy, e-mail: [email protected] 24 Katarzyna Berenika Miszczuk Wolf Wilk 2013 Novel, 13. X 20 cm, paperback, 304 pages Find out what happened before Twilight! Margo Cook is an ordinary teenager. One day, she and her parents move from New York to the little town of Wolftown set in the depths of a huge wilderness. Ever since the move she has been tormented by nightmares in which she’s running through a forest, fleeing from a dangerous pursuer. In school, she meets Yvette Reno, a somewhat crazy French girl, and Max Stone, in intriguing outsider. What dark secret is Max hiding? What dark secret is Wolftown hiding? Do Margo’s dreams have any connection to these mysteries? Perhaps we’ll learn the answer when the full moon appears in the sky… Dry humour, which pokes fun at stereotypes and takes liberties with convention, and the authentic emotions of the heroes. www.katedra.nast.pl An ideal book for moments of leisure, a break at school or during the day, when you need to improve your mood. www.lubimyczytac.pl Recommended to people who like paranormal vibes and romance. www.nakanapie.pl Grupa Wydawnicza Foksal sp. z o.o., ul. Foksal 17, 00-372 Warszawa, Poland, tel. 22 828 98 08, 22 894 60 54; e-mail: [email protected] 25 Katarzyna Berenika Miszczuk She-wolf Wilczyca 2013 Novel, 13. X 20 cm, paperback The sequel to the novel Wolf Margo Cook and Max Stone think their lives have returned to normal. The staff of the Institute – an organisation running experiments on teenagers living in Wolftown – are no longer interested in our heroes. Margo can no longer feel the effects of the lupine vaccine, and Yvette is slowly regaining her health. Suddenly traces of brutal murders, resembling attacks by a savage animal appear in the peaceful wooded neighbourhood. Is the Institute or perhaps a wolf behind them? What secret is Aki hiding? Why – in spite of police warnings – is he roaming around the forest at night? And what is the reason for Max’s sudden change? Margo will once again have to face the dark side of Wolftown. I was endeared by the way the book deals with the ordinary problems of young people and how elements of horror encroach on ordinariness. lubimyczytac.pl Rights Director: Blanka Wośkowiak, e-mail: [email protected]; Rights Specialist: Anna A. Rakoczy, e-mail: [email protected] 26 Joanna Olech Joanna Olech (b. 1955) – graphic artist, author of books for children and teenagers, including The Miziołek Dynasty (1994), Little Red Riding Hood (2005), Pompom in the Fiś Family (2007) and Meatloaf and Prudence (2010). The illustrator of The Pink Piglet (2006) and light-hearted “how-to” books for children: How To Swear (2008), and How To Do Fiddles (2010). The winner of numerous prestigious awards. She writes articles about children’s literature for the press. She belongs to the Polish branch of IBBY. The co-author of Polish language textbooks for middle schools. A Polish Film Institute expert. Tarantula, Meatball and Hercules Tarantula, Klops i Herkules 2012 NOVEL, 12.5 x 20.5, paperback, about 300 pages Witkowice was once the most boring little town on the planet. Everything changed when someone stole a… postcard from the local museum. How much was it worth? At the same a local man was killed in a car crash – a Pole with German citizenship. Did those two incidents have anything in common? And was it true that treasure was hidden in the town? The investigation links up Charles, a carrot-topped IT expert and Tarantula – a fifteenyear-old Goth. The case is also taken up by an equally suspicious woman birdwatcher, and PC Tomek Buraś, an adventure-seeking vicar and the incredible, bat-like dog, Hercules! This book was recommended to me by the eight-year-old friend of my children. My twelve-year-old laughed until she was crying, reading the funniest bits aloud! Highly recommended! Even for children who are “resistant” to reading, because they’re sure to enjoy reading it! From a review by a reader of The Miziołek Dynasty, merlin.pl Grupa Wydawnicza Foksal sp. z o.o., ul. Foksal 17, 00-372 Warszawa, Poland, tel. 22 828 98 08, 22 894 60 54; e-mail: [email protected] 27 Marcin Pałasz Michał Pałasz (b. 1971) – when he was young he wanted to be the next Yuri Gagarin. Later he even studied astronomy, but left it to work in the advertising company. His contrariness led him to writing of books for children. He debuted with the novel Tales from the land of monsters. He was nominated to Book of the Year 2004 award by Polish Section of IBBY for his novel It’s not easy to be scary. Twice he received honourable mention in Kornel Makuszyński Literature Contest: for Holidays in the big city (2007) and Everything starts with a dream (2008). In 2008 he was nominated to Kornel Makuszyński Book Award for Licence to fall in love. In 2010 WAB published his The Curious Incidents of Ferdinand the Vermin and in 2012 Deathbusters. The Curious Incidents of Ferdinand the Vermin dziwne przypadki ferdynanda szkodnika 2010 NOVEL, 12.5 x 20.5, paperback, 240 pages If we want to cheer-up and change our bad mood, it’s good to try Holidays in the big city. Everyone who reads this novel or the earlier one Fun out of this world is going to be eagerly waiting for the next books by Michał Pałasz. Vermin (real name: Ferdinand) is ten years old. It was enough time for him to get the reputation of family’s rotten apple. In fact the attempt to bring on the board of the plane to Tunisia an arsenal of weapons such as: razors, knives, a switch-blade and nunchucks are surely going to infuriate even the most understanding members of the family. Vermin is recognized as a potential terrorist and when the rest of his family is flying to Tunisia he is sent to spend his holiday in Kudowa, a tiny town in the south of Poland, with his friend Bubble and Bubble’s grandma. And this turns out to be the beginning of a real adventure. Because there’s plenty to do in Kudowa. For example you can find out who stands behind the burglaries in the houses of elderly people and how it links with another passenger who also “missed” the plane to Tunisia. Michał Pałasz tells this story with his distinctive sense of humour. Not only children are going to be fascinated with this book but also their parents who are going to laugh till they cry. Cheerfulness, optimism and joy are the key elements of Michał Pałasz’s writing. Readers want to return to his books, which burst with humour, especially because the author always tries to amuse them with some new ideas. In Pałasz’s books reader can trace the joy of creation, the author understands children and can use their language to tell his stories. There’s no place for artificiality or falsehood. Klub Literacki “Litera” Rights Director: Blanka Wośkowiak, e-mail: [email protected]; Rights Specialist: Anna A. Rakoczy, e-mail: [email protected] www.granice.pl 28 Marcin Pałasz Deathbusters Zwłokopolscy 2012 novel, 12.5 x 20.2 cm, paperback, 304 pages The mysterious Kovvalski family have been hunted all over the world by uncompromising villains for hundreds of years. When the Kovvalskis settle in a sleepy little town near Wrocław, strange things begin to happen: chases, night-time intrusions... But only the attempt to kidnap one of their children straight from school evokes the serious concern of the locals. What does a crazy nun, sowing fear as she drives around in her ancient automobile, have to do with this? When Ferdynand – known affectionately and not without reason as Vermin – joins in, things simply take on a breakneck pace! Praise for the book: The book is full of adventures and I guarantee you won’t be able to put it down for an instant. www.czasdzieci.pl Black humour in its purest form, distilled nonsense, wit which veers towards iconoclastic themes on occasion and absolute courage in dreaming up a story. Added to that an ever-present optimism; the art of looking at the world through rosecoloured spectacles. www.tu-czytam.blogspot.com Deathbusters belongs to the genre of young-adult fiction. The heroic kids are still at school but their adventures won’t only appeal to people of their age. Loads of fun, fast-moving action full of exciting elements and a pleasant, easy-going form. Perfect for a spot of downtime :) www.jarken.blogspot.com Grupa Wydawnicza Foksal sp. z o.o., ul. Foksal 17, 00-372 Warszawa, Poland, tel. 22 828 98 08, 22 894 60 54; e-mail: [email protected] 29 Eliza Piotrowska Eliza Piotrowska is a writer of books for childeren as well as a translator. Franek, Hela, Bobas and the Trojan Horse Franek, Hela, Bobas i koń trojański 2010 Story, 72 pages, 22 x 19 cm, hardcover Franek, Hela and Bobas are the central figures of this unusual book. Why unusual? Because the sequence of pages isn’t so important. Because in order to read the story properly you have to negotiate a labyrinth and jump from page to page, decipher the paintings in the studio of Master Filthy Ace, defeat Doctor Monster’s devilish machine, make friends with the Letter Gobbler, the two-headed guinea fowl and with Parys, who doesn’t have an easy character. Our heroes’ adventures are just as remarkable as the entire book. Enjoy! Rights Director: Blanka Wośkowiak, e-mail: [email protected]; Rights Specialist: Anna A. Rakoczy, e-mail: [email protected] 30 Monika Rakusa Monika Rakusa (b. 1966) – social psychologist, journalist, documentary films scripts writer. She studied Polish philology at Warsaw University, currently studies for a Ph.D. at Polish Academy of Sciences. She lives in Warsaw, has two kids. High Fever her literary debut was published in 2008. In 2010 W.A.B. publishes her new novel Adam’s wife and Fairytales for Anthony, a volume of stories for children. Fairytales for Anthony Baśnie dla Antosia 2010 FAIRY-TALE, 15.5 x 15.5, hardback, 204 pages other titles High Fever 39,9 Adam’s Wife Żona Adama Following on from her well-received debut novel 39.9, Monika Rakusa presents her readers with a new collection of fairytales. In them she tells the story of toys who argue and banter just like people; of the bespectacled princess more interested in books than dresses and princes; of the little girl looking for a shop selling mums; and of the builder of fantastical ships. Such variety is the strong point of this collection. The author draws inspiration from classics of the genre, such as Andersen and Perrault, but she is certainly not scared of dealing with more contemporary subject matter either – she writes about unloving parents, domestic violence and indifference. The tales she tells are universal and timeless, because tales of friendship, love and goodness will always be needed. Fairytales for Anthony is a collection of six tales, intended for parents and grandparents just as much as they are for children. Rakusa is capable of addressing important issues in simple language. She treats her young readers with dignity and understanding. Beautiful stories about life for readers from 6 to 106 years Grupa Wydawnicza Foksal sp. z o.o., ul. Foksal 17, 00-372 Warszawa, Poland, tel. 22 828 98 08, 22 894 60 54; e-mail: [email protected] 31 Dariusz Rekosz Dariusz Rekosz (b. 1970) - computer scientist and an economist by training. Since 2007 he has published books for children in a series of Mors, Pinky and ... In 2008 he was the Honorary Ambassador of Literature for Children and Teenagers Campaign MAMA, TATA ... & MYSELF. He is also the author of radio dramas and crime dramas and comedies for adults. Grand prix winner of a nationwide contest of a crime story (2008). www.rekosz.pl Black Matthew and the Book from Venice Czarny Maciek i wenecki staroduk 2010 NOVEL, 12,3 x 19.5, paperback, 208 pages I would recommend this to fans of detective adventures: this is a book written with humour, it is easy and quick to read. www.ryms.pl The titular “Black” Matthew and his friend Paul, known as “Jelly”, are attending high school. They lead an entirely normal life within the bounds of home, school and the playground. But their lives are about to be shaken up. One day Katy, one of their least favourite classmates, talks them into creating a secret detective organisation named “Hercules”. Initially the boys treat the idea with suspicion, but soon they are convinced that even girls can sometimes have good ideas. The first case they deal with concerns the theft of a battery from a mouse in the school computer lab. It soon becomes clear that Katy not only has excellent organisational skills, but that she is capable of thinking very logically and reaching good conclusions too. Her bravery and curiosity soon make sure that “Hercules” ends up on the trail of a far more serious criminal case linked to an 18th-century antiquarian book from Venice. The young sleuths decide to personally return the book to Italy. Making up for their lack of money with ingenuity, the trio of teenagers reach the border. There they encounter a dangerous gang of thieves... Black Matthew and the Book from Venice is a compulsive, unputdownable read. Black, Jelly and Katy are bright and daring youngsters, and it is impossible not to like them. They may still be attending high school, but no criminal can feel safe when the members of “Hercules” have him in their sights. A huge expedition, real chases and the pursuit of criminals – will our young sleuths come out of it intact? This time the stakes are a lot higher than failing a class test! Lively action, a huge adventure and a criminal mystery Black Matthew and the Book from Venice is an absolutely unputdownable book! www.zbrodniawbibliotece.pl Rights Director: Blanka Wośkowiak, e-mail: [email protected]; Rights Specialist: Anna A. Rakoczy, e-mail: [email protected] 32 Dariusz Rekosz Black Matthew and the Tower of Death Czarny Maciek i Wieża Śmierci 2011 Black Matthew is in action once again. Just imagine that one day you receive a mysterious letter from a friend from your last school, and right away pick up the trail of a criminal scandal from the past. Not only that, every step you take is being watched by a ruthless treasure hunter. And who said that when you’re still at school you can only have adventures in the world of computer games? Novel, 12.5 x 19.5, paperback, 176 pages Black Matthew is great fun. No boredom, no lecturing, no flowery descritions of naure on the emotional dilemmas (which undoubtedly will please boys). Instead you will find a puzzle, swift action and the characters of flesh and blood. www.parenting.pl Unputdownable. It’s a kid’s version of Sherlock Holmes. www.parenting.pl Grupa Wydawnicza Foksal sp. z o.o., ul. Foksal 17, 00-372 Warszawa, Poland, tel. 22 828 98 08, 22 894 60 54; e-mail: [email protected] 33 Dariusz Rekosz Black Matthew and the Tunnel of Fear Czarny Maciek i tunel grozy 2012 novel, 20.2 x 12.5, paperback, illustrations Black Matthew and the other three from the Hercules detective club have got their hands full again! And we aren’t talking about that nightmarishly difficult maths homework... At the beginning there’s nothing to hint at any difficulties. Matthew’s class win an ecology competition and their prize is a 3-day trip to the mountains – to Komorowski Castle in Sucha Beskidzka. A gruelling expedition to Zawoja awaits them, ITC lessons and a mysterious, but very wonderful surprise, which… someone steals! And their teacher disappears without trace. Does he have anything to do with this? Matthew, Kisiel and the Górecki sisters begin a private investigation. There isn’t much time. Will a fruit merchant, a broken ballpoint and some old documents in the local library provide the young detectives with some clues? A thrilling story, mysterious passages, a dangerous criminal and an information about where you can eat the best ice cream on the planet. From reviews from previous books about Black Matthew: I wanted the young people who read my books to have a great time but also learn something new… Because spells pass; but knowledge, logic and adventures remain forever. Gazeta Wyborcza It’s worth getting to know Czarny; the twins Kaśka and Baśka; and Kisiel. The book’s aimed at children over 9 and perfectly suits the reality of that age. The language used by the author seems to have been plucked straight from the playground. Our youthful heroes have problems with their teachers and telling their parents the truth. But they are good children, whose courage and irresponsibility leads to them taking on some bandits in an unequal fight. www.strefamamy.pl Rights Director: Blanka Wośkowiak, e-mail: [email protected]; Rights Specialist: Anna A. Rakoczy, e-mail: [email protected] 34 Dariusz Rekosz The Treasure of the Kings Skarb królów 2013 Novel, 12.5 x 20 cm, paperback A new novel by the author of the Black Matthew series. Wojtek lives alone with his dad, Tomasz, who runs a small second-hand bookshop. One day his shop is visited by Wojtek’s history teacher Irena and his classmate, Malgosia. A certain Jurgen Heinze also shows up, under the pretext of buying an old German book. When it turns out that Heinze is actually looking for information he needs to steal valuable artefacts from the Wawel Museum collection, the pace hots up considerably. Wojtek, Malgosia, Tomasz and Irena set off after him, but their dangerous adventure is complicated in the culminating moment by a strange policewoman, Hanna Labedz. Will our heroes manage to save the crown jewels ? And how will the adventure affect each of their lives? From reviews of previous books: Humour, mystery and the freedom of young people. merlin.pl A wonderful adventure for young fans of reading. Grupa Wydawnicza Foksal sp. z o.o., ul. Foksal 17, 00-372 Warszawa, Poland, tel. 22 828 98 08, 22 894 60 54; e-mail: [email protected] granice.pl 35 Piotr Rowicki Piotr Rowicki (b. 1975) trained as a historian. He made his writing debut in 2005 with the book The Man and the Beast. A Father’s Unusual Diary. He now writes mainly for children and has published: Detective Żurek, The Adventures of Hector, Aurelka – a Small Pig’s Big Fun, A Short Portrait of Kings for Kids, My name’s Jeżynka and The Adventures of the Feline Detective. All Because of Amanda Wszystko przez Amandę 2011 NOVEL, 12,3 x 19.5, paperback, 272 pages All because of Amanda is an excellent read, not only to allow your imagination to run free, but also to ask totally serious questions about the nature of the world. All because of Amanda is a wonderful story about the amazing adventures of Karol and Amanda, thirteen-year-old twins, who couldn’t be less alike. Karol is calm, composed and responsible, while Amanda is a tomboy, climbs trees and has a thousand ideas a minute, some of which she unfortunately puts into practice. And that’s what happened this time. In order to get out of a holiday-from-hell with their nanny, Nikoletta, with only piano practice and reading books for the upcoming school year to look forward to, Amanda steals a phial containing an unknown substance from the school chemistry lab. She puts a few drops in the water the detested nanny is about to drink. Rather than being poisoned, the woman unexpectedly disappears. The desperate children run for help to Professor Ciereszko, the chemist who created the unfortunate mixture. A misunderstanding leads to them drinking the same mysterious substance and waking up... in a parallel world, where apart from gigantic, aggressive butterflies and mouse-sized tigers also live a tribe of wild people who would gladly eat these strange, hairless creatures. Meanwhile in Warsaw, Professor Ciereszko tries to convince Amanda and Karol’s parents that their children have been transported to another space-time, and find a way to get them back. In his story, Piotr Rowicki has combined the fantasy of a parallel world with magicians and unknown creatures as well as reflections about scientific theories, time-space curves, the universe and time. He’s created a pair of extremely likeable and smart heroes, who’ll have their readers in stitches, and a whole array of minor characters, led by the mad professor. Rights Director: Blanka Wośkowiak, e-mail: [email protected]; Rights Specialist: Anna A. Rakoczy, e-mail: [email protected] 36 Piotr Rowicki Greek Myths Mity greckie 2010 Myths, 30 pages, 20 x 29 cm, hardcover We’d like to present to you a collection of classic verses and tales, consisting of seven titles, in a user-friendly format. Each of the volumes’ hard covers has its own, separate colour. You’ll find the most wonderful verses and unforgettable stories of childhood in each book of the collection. Greek Myths are stories about heroes who you’ll remember your entire life. Stories which are part of the history of Europe. We’ll find the myths of Prometheus, Daedalus and Icarus, of Pandora’s Box and many, many others. The book was illustrated by Iwona Walaszek. Grupa Wydawnicza Foksal sp. z o.o., ul. Foksal 17, 00-372 Warszawa, Poland, tel. 22 828 98 08, 22 894 60 54; e-mail: [email protected] 37 Agnieszka Sobich Agnieszka Sobich – a writer for novels and books for younger children. Princess Karolinka can’t get to sleep Królewna Karolinka nie może zasnąć 2012 Fairy tale, 25 pages, 20 x 29 cm, hardcover Princess Karolinka is lying in bed but can’t get to sleep... She’s counted all the little sheep, but it hasn’t helped. So she’s decided to look for sleep in all the nooks and crannies of the palace chambers. Wherever she looks, she sees people asleep. Everyone’s asleep except her... This magical story about little Karolinka is an invitation for young readers to a land of imagination. The gorgeous illustrations and large letters encourage children to read independently. Agnieszka Stelmaszyk Agnieszka Stelmaszyk see page 38 The dragon who wanted to become a knight O smoku, który chciał zostać rycerzem 2012 Fairy tale, 25 pages, 20 x 29 cm, hardcover Roland the dragon is a very unusual dragon: he doesn’t breathe fire, he doesn’t terrify people, but he loves green peas and... reading books about knights. Perhaps that is why he dreams about becoming a brave knight... This hilarious story about Roland the dragon is an invitation to young readers to a world of imagination. The exquisite illustrations and large letters should help children to read it by themselves. Rights Director: Blanka Wośkowiak, e-mail: [email protected]; Rights Specialist: Anna A. Rakoczy, e-mail: [email protected] 38 Agnieszka Stelmaszyk Agnieszka Stelmaszyk is a writer of novels for children. Beza’s looking for a home Beza szuka domu 2012 Most of her ideas for books come to her when she’s sitting under a cherry tree in the country. During her childhood she visited the corners of her mother’s biology laboratory and looked at specimens under a microscope. But most of all she loves cats, dogs and other animals. She spends hours running after them with a camera. Novel, 156 pages, 13 x 20 cm, paperback The series Who can stroke me spellbinds animal lovers. The doggies and pussycats in the stories once lived in the animal shelter. They dreamed of having a family, a home and someone who would love them. In this part, you’ll read about Beza, who dreamed of having a home, and Tosia, who wanted very much to have a cat. When they finally became best friends, and also... No, we won’t give away what happened next. You’d better find out for yourselves! Grupa Wydawnicza Foksal sp. z o.o., ul. Foksal 17, 00-372 Warszawa, Poland, tel. 22 828 98 08, 22 894 60 54; e-mail: [email protected] 39 Agnieszka Stelmaszyk Tiny has a big heart Drobinka ma wielkie serce 2012 Novel, 156 pages, 13 x 20 cm, paperback Graffite is in trouble Grafit ma kłopoty 2012 Novel, 128 pages, 13 x 20 cm, paperback Drobinka is the story of a tiny little pussycat, who could find a real home. First she went to Oskar, but was abandoned when the boy’s family went away on holiday. And then later… No, we won’t give away what happened next! You’d better find out for yourselves! The next title in the series tells the story of the adventures of the pussycat Grafit, who got lost and couldn’t find his way back to his Daniel. The cat kept getting into difficulties, and finally ended up in Przytulisk, and there... No, we won’t give away what happened next! You’d better find out for yourselves! Rights Director: Blanka Wośkowiak, e-mail: [email protected]; Rights Specialist: Anna A. Rakoczy, e-mail: [email protected] 40 Agnieszka Stelmaszyk Runaway Hugo Hugo ucieka z cyrku 2012 Novel, 156 pages, 13 x 20 cm, paperback Lara can do anything Lara może wszystko 2012 Novel, 128 pages, 13 x 20 cm, paperback This unusual puppy, Hugo, performed in a circus, but wasn’t happy with his life and decided to escape from a cruel conjuror. The little dog dreamt of a real home and finally ended up in… No, we won’t give away what happened next! You’d better find out for yourselves! The next book in the series tells the story of Lara, who was always sad, and Mela, who took the story of the unhappy Dalmatian very seriously. When Lara spent a few days in Mela’s home, she became a totally different dog, conquered the hearts of all the family, and also... No, we won’t give away what happened next! You’d better find out for yourselves! Grupa Wydawnicza Foksal sp. z o.o., ul. Foksal 17, 00-372 Warszawa, Poland, tel. 22 828 98 08, 22 894 60 54; e-mail: [email protected] 41 Małgorzata Strękowska-Zaremba Małgorzata Strękowska-Zaremba (b. 1960) - writer, author of textbooks and a journalist. She graduated from the Polish Philology at Warsaw University. Since 2008 she is the member of the board of the Warsaw Branch of Polish Writers Association and also a member of the Free Word Association and the Polish Section of IBBY. Winner of Kornel Makuszyński Literary Prize. for the novel Abecelki and the spirit of Amber House. Detective Kefirek on the Trail of the Skeleton Detektyw Kefirek na tropie kościotrupa 2010 NOVEL, 12,3 x 19.5, paperback, 224 pages rights sold film rights Detective Kefirek on the Trail of the Skeleton is an entertaining and instructive novel with exceptional heroes and lots of intrigue. Theo Kefirek is twelve years old and, more than anything in the world, he wants to become a detective. He watches detective films, reads detective novels and criminology textbooks, he even wanted to sign up with the School for Detectives, but was told he would have to wait a few more years. Theo has a friend, the eternally well-behaved Dominic, with whom he has shared a desk since their first year of school. At the beginning, Theo would get incredibly irritated by Dominic’s impeccable manners and diligence, but what came to bother him more was that his own mum would point to Dominic as a fine model of a polite young man, an example to be followed by Theo. Confronted with the dilemma of whether to stop seeing his friend, or to start being well-behaved, Theo decides on the third option: to set about changing Dominic. Theo soon finds Dominic to be an invaluable assistant in solving a real criminal case, which occurs in the very school attended by the duo, in the biology classroom to be precise. Tad has been stolen! The gravity of the case is not reduced by the fact that Tad is just a skeleton. In fact, the case is all the more serious since maths exercises belonging to Theo are found at the scene of the crime. Someone clearly wants to set Theo up, but whoever it is has picked the wrong target, because Theo and Dominic know a thing or two about detective work. The boys set off in pursuit of the thief, soon coming across their first clue, a note saying: IT WILL TURN UP ON FRIDAY – left by the kidnapper. Friday is Halloween, could it be that someone needs Tad for this occasion? Soon the young sleuths are shocked to discover that Caroline, the school swot, is mixed up in the affair, as are Theo’s five-year-old brother and a real gang of thieves. Detective Kefirek on the Trail of the Skeleton is a humour-filled depiction of school life. Colourful characters such as the janitor, the headmaster and the teachers make this book a huge pleasure to read, while charm is added by the character of Theo, an agreeable and bright little rascal. Rights Director: Blanka Wośkowiak, e-mail: [email protected]; Rights Specialist: Anna A. Rakoczy, e-mail: [email protected] 42 Małgorzata Strękowska-Zaremba Detective Kefirek and the First Corpse Detektyw Kefirek i pierwszy trup 2011 Novel, 12.5 x 19.5, paperback, 240 pages Theo Kefirek and his friend Dominiczek have already successfully solved their first case in an important issue. Meanwhile, the school holidays are approaching, which are sure to be full of incident. Someone breaks into the flat of Kasandra, the local fortune teller. Then it becomes even more interesting, but more serious – the owner of a firm of undertakers is murdered. Leads linking the fortune teller, the mafia and... dog poo become entangled together. During the investigation, the boys discover their knowledge of the game Battleships may come in useful, and a nonexistent dog may rescue someone from a jam. And although the untrammelled curiosity of our young heroes means they occasionally even risk their lives, the results of their investigation will really help the police to catch the villains. Detective Kefirek and the First Corpse is an exciting and hilarious criminal story, which shows that the greenhorn detectives are capable of catching the thread which will lead to them to the heart of the matter even by following a trail of dog poo. I recommend the book as a break between compulsory set books, and also as a way of improving the skill of reading. There are no elements of violence or aggression. From a reader’s review, www.strefamamy.pl Grupa Wydawnicza Foksal sp. z o.o., ul. Foksal 17, 00-372 Warszawa, Poland, tel. 22 828 98 08, 22 894 60 54; e-mail: [email protected] 43 Małgorzata Strękowska-Zaremba Detective Kefirek and the Great-grandson Detektyw Kefirek rozgryza prawnusia 2012 novel, 12.5 x 20.2, paperback, 224 pages A satellite dish is mounted on the roof of an elderly lady from the neighbourhood – known as Princess Elisabeth – while she’s out. Theo discovers that the fitters broke into her attic and searched through a wooden chest they found there. Time for an investigation! What’s happened to the princess? Who’s got their eye on her money? What secret is hidden in the empty bedroom at the top of the house? And most importantly: where is the valuable will? The boys can’t focus exclusively on the case, because they are revising for their school exams, they are looking for a cactus-double and are helping with the investigation of that awful brainbox Karolina. And if that wasn’t enough, Theo’s little brother, Zachary, and his mate Bart kidnap their friend Klapciak... The adventure Teoś has just “trodden in” is a wittily and absorbingly explosive mixture. Życie Warszawy The language used by the school kids is taken wholesale from the schoolyard, and the problems the heroes have are surely familiar to all nine-year-olds. www.strefamamy.pl A very pleasurable read which cheers you up wonderfully. Życie Warszawy Rights Director: Blanka Wośkowiak, e-mail: [email protected]; Rights Specialist: Anna A. Rakoczy, e-mail: [email protected] 44 Adriana Szymańska Adriana Szymańska (b.1943) – poet, essayist and literary critic. She graduated from Polish philology at Nicolaus Copernicus University. She debuted in 1968 with book of poetry Everyday skies. She published several poetry books: Be, 123 old and new poems, The diary of saboteurs and Unfinished self-portrait; a semi-autobiographical novel Saint sin and a collection of sketches Heirs and barbarians. Apart from Taja of Jasmine Street, she wrote another novel for children Dog’s most beautiful smile and other confessions. She received many prestigious literary awards, her books have been translated into several languages. Taja of Jasmine Street taja z jaśminowej 2010 NOVEL, 14.5 x 18.5 cm, hardcover, 240 pages Taja of Jasmine Street is a magical and poetic story about the power of imagination, beauty of nature and charms of childhood. Taja is six years old and she has a big problem. Her family, parents, grandma and brother Dash have to leave the house in Jasmine Street. The girl doesn’t want to leave unusual creatures that live in the house and garden: shaggy Elephantie, noisy Strangies and sunny Phantominies. Especially she doesn’t want to leave her best friends Michał and Grandpa Filip. And by the way she still hasn’t met her Rden, a mysterious creature that can turn into a biggest dream. And there is very little time... Taja of Jasmine Street is a magical and poetic story about the power of imagination, beauty of nature and charms of childhood. The story opens children up to the beauty of the world, and encourages them to experience, become familiar with, and make friends with what is ordinary and might appear to be imperceptible. www.czytanki-przytulanki.blogspot.com It’s a quiet book. One small balalaika among noisy, flamboyant histories. www.wolnyhamkalo.blog.polityka.pl If you think you’re too grown-up to still be delighted by children’s books you’re seriously mistaken. The perfect proof is Taja of Jasmine Street by Adriana Szymańska – a beautiful book written for children. It shows that discovering the fairytale world which exists in children’s imaginations can be fascinating at any age. It reveals and recalls the magic of dreams and fantasies. It leads its readers into mysterious, impenetrable secrets, hidden from the mind of a small person. www.efantastyka.pl Grupa Wydawnicza Foksal sp. z o.o., ul. Foksal 17, 00-372 Warszawa, Poland, tel. 22 828 98 08, 22 894 60 54; e-mail: [email protected] 45 Tomasz Trojanowski Tomasz Trojanowski (b. 1965) – teacher, author of radio dramas and TV producer. He made his debut with Cat Stories (1997) for which he received Kornel Makuszyński Award for the best children book of the year. He published also: Julka and the Cats (2003) and Cat Stories – New Adventures (2006). W.A.B. has also published his novel Great Return (2007), nominated for The Book of the Year Award 2007 by the Polish section of IBBY and voted the best book for children in the competition BESTSELLERek. The Great Come Back WIELKI POWRÓT 2007 NOVEL, 14.5 x 18.5 cm, hardcover other titles Fugitives Uciekinierzy, 2008 Brave escape from the zoo – story full of humour and adventures. Trombone – an elephant with a talent for pole vaulting – and Pouch – a kangaroo who adores fast tram rides – decide to leave the narrow confines of their cages at Warsaw Zoo and return home. And what better way of travelling to Africa or Australia than by flying carpet? To reach it, though, they have to cross the city without being seen – and that’s no small task for an elephant and a kangaroo! The runaways have to overcome numerous obstacles: handle a hooligan in the tram, fight off a bunch of pugnacious fans, outwit the police and a driver-cum-kidnapper, and dodge not only the circus director but also the father of a small birthday boy who wants to see the heroes… tap dance! Thanks to a series of happy coincidences, the animals succeed in... hold on, hold on, isn’t this a bit fishy? Aren’t there a few coincidences too many here? Just who’s fooling whom? And what the trumpet and pouch is going on?! Something brilliant for the lovers of animals and good read! Twoje Dziecko A cheerful, suspense holding and very liberating history. Polityka What is characteristic of Trojanowski’s books is the unpretentious description of the world, with light irony treating the things that highly deserve that. I recommend that book to children and those who like cats, but also to those who like a natural, slightly frivolous way o writing and similar sense of humour. Gazeta Wyborcza Rights Director: Blanka Wośkowiak, e-mail: [email protected]; Rights Specialist: Anna A. Rakoczy, e-mail: [email protected] 46 Tomasz Trojanowski Fugitives uciekinierzy 2008 NOVEL, 14 X 16 cm, hardback, 96 pages other titles The Great Come Back Wielki powrót, 2007 How a penguin-hockey player get into a freezer, elephants – at a bus stop and absent-minded aliens – in a lost property office? Who and why attacked the customers of the supermarket Sergeant Zygmunt? And finally – where is Frank’s TV set?! A peaceful town is suddenly thrown into chaos. Inspector from Special Section – a specialist in difficult and unusual problems – will have to wrack his brains to connect these peculiar events. What will be the effect of the conducted investigation? Fugitives is a crime story which abounds in funny characters and odd events and which proves that not only TV cartoon characters have fantastic adventures. And that in the end friendship is the most important thing. Inspector approached the desk without saying a word, put a box on it and gestured to its content. In the box was a sleeping penguin. A penguin in a helmet. „Very nice,” said inspector. „A souvenir from a trip?” „I haven’t been on a trip lately”. „Where is it from then?” „From a utility room in the headquarters. We ran out of milk. I open the fridge and I see that the freezer isn’t closed properly. I try to close it but I can’t. Something does not let me.” „What do you reckon?” He added after a moment. „What do you?” – inspector did not hsve any idea how to explain the penguin’s presence in the fridge. „I think it might be a warning.” Inspector pensively rubbed his chin. „They warn us to give it up, otherwise we’ll end up like that penguin.” (an excerpt) Grupa Wydawnicza Foksal sp. z o.o., ul. Foksal 17, 00-372 Warszawa, Poland, tel. 22 828 98 08, 22 894 60 54; e-mail: [email protected]