Australian CYA at Frankfurt

An array of books—from those for young children to those on the cusp of adulthood, and with subjects ranging from axolotls to ultra-villains—are set to feature among publishers’ CYA pitches at Frankfurt. Below are some highlights that publishers are excited to share at the fair this year.

Picture books

From Allen & Unwin, for children aged 3 to 6, A Beginner’s Guide to Choosing the Perfect Pet (Ali Rutstein, illus by Tommy Doyle, October) is ‘a very funny, anarchic picture book that will appeal to kids who are longing for a pet … as well as parents who are trying to avoid one!’ ‘While the text says one thing, the gloriously energetic illustrations say quite another,’ says A&U, promising that this book is ‘perfect for pet-owners, pet-wanters, and anyone who loves mischief and mayhem!’ Also from A&U, The Tractor Has a Wobbly Wheel (Tim Saunders, illus by Carla Martell, March 2025) is also aimed at this age bracket, with a perennially popular subject.

From Fremantle, Bigfoot vs Yeti by James Foley is a new picture book by the creator of the publisher’s international success story Stellarphant. The new book is ‘a love story in the tradition of Romeo and Juliet … but Bigfoot vs Yeti couldn’t be less traditional in format with artwork that breaks new boundaries as it gradually moves from a wood-cut graphic novel style to a full-colour extravaganza’, says Fremantle CEO Alex Allan. Also from Fremantle is Timeless by Kelly Canby, a winner in the coveted Children’s Book Council of Australia awards. ‘The book is gorgeously illustrated and both entertaining and sophisticated in the way it approaches the complex concept of time,’ says Allan.

In Winifred Wanders the World (Frieda Herrmann, illus by Hilary Herrmann, Little Owl Books/Animal Dreaming Publishing, December), Winifred is amazed that, up close, the waves don’t sound fearsome at all; they sound like a song. In Rosie’s Garden (Olivia Coates, illus by Samantha McLelland, Exisle), for children aged 3 to 7, ‘Rosie loves nothing more than digging and spending time in her neighbourhood garden’. ‘But when the garden is destroyed to make way for a towering skyscraper, Rosie has to take some very brave—and unexpected—action to save the day’, in a book that ‘explores themes of sustainability, community engagement and navigating change in a way that is understandable and accessible’. (more…)

Originally published by Books and Publishing (Read More)