After the successful Story Bridge project inspired by the stunning picture book Maia and What Matters, local publisher Book Island now launches its ninth title, Mr Miniscule and the Whale by acclaimed Polish writer Julian Tuwim.
Last year publisher Greet Pauwelijn acquired the English-language rights for this popular Polish children’s classic, cherished by three generations in Poland, but unknown in the English-language world. This book is of such importance to Polish children’s literature that the Polish Embassies in Wellington, Dublin, London and Brussels were more than happy to help the publisher launch the book in their territory. Due to the success of these events in Wellington and Europe Book Island has decided to organise one more launch, this time in Paraparaumu, with the support of the Friends of the Kāpiti Coast District Libraries.
The launch will take place in the Paraparaumu Library Meeting Room on Wednesday 28 May at 3.30pm. At 4pm all children age 4-8 will be able to take part in a free crafts workshop inspired by the book. Parents are kindly requested to register their children before 27 May by e-mailing Book Island at [email protected]. Spaces are limited!
Mr Miniscule and the Whale will be for sale at the launch for $19.99 (paperback) or $24.99 (hardback). This title is also available from Paper Plus Coastlands, Moby Dickens, Mahara Gallery and the Beach Store in Paekākāariki, and all major bookshops in New Zealand.
At the end of this month Mr Miniscule and the Whale will be on display at Book Expo America, the largest book fair in the United States. In the next twelve months Book Island plans to release 9 more titles. In November Greet Pauwelijn will attend the Polish Festival in Melbourne and hold the very last launch of Mr Miniscule and the Whale in Sydney.
