The publisher behind a new Australian stand for “this moment now”
Come visit the Australian stand this year at Bologna and you’ll find that while the high-quality publishing remains the same, the stand itself has a brand-new look. Gone is any hint of traditional “green and gold”, and in its place a colourful design based on a forthcoming highly anticipated title.
Miriam Rosenbloom is publisher at Scribble, which partnered with the Australian Publishers Association (APA) to create the new stand design. “It was time for a refresh, and the [APA] saw a great opportunity to better showcase the talent of the Australian publishers represented at Bologna,” she says. “All exhibiting publishers on the stand put forward their work to be selected as the ‘hero’ artwork of the stand and then a selection committee made their choice based on what they felt would best represent contemporary Australian children’s publishing.”
Scribble earned the honour with Allison Colpoys’s vibrant illustrations (pictured) from her forthcoming collaboration with Davina Bell, This Moment Now.
Artwork from the book This Moment Now by Davina Bell and Allison Colpoys (Scribble)
“Scribble worked with Allison to adapt her existing artwork to the stand and we think the end result will be outstanding,” says Rosenbloom.
The book itself is a long-awaited new title from the award-winning partnership that produced All the Ways to Be Smart. It is “a spectacular picture book that celebrates the joy of present moments between parent and child and the beauty of the natural world,” says Rosenbloom. “In this time of significant global uncertainty and climate emergency, the book is a tender reminder of wonder, hope, and connection.”
Scribble generally publishes one to two translated titles each year, and “Bologna is obviously one of the best places to scout for new work”, says Rosenbloom, who will be attending the fair alongside her colleague Guy Ivison. “We’re acquiring in the picture (fiction and nonfiction), illustrated middle-grade and middle-grade graphic novel spaces,” she says. “We love colour and spectacular illustrations, a sense of child-centred fun and also being able to share important contemporary experiences and ideas with kids. Our dream title ideally combines all elements … AKA ‘I’ll know it when I see it’.”
The two have over 60 meetings scheduled between them this year, and Rosenbloom says they will split their time at the fair “pretty strategically”. “There are a few meetings we will attend together but we largely divide and conquer to cover a massive amount of ground.”
Of Bologna she adds, “It’s intense but we love it. After the day at the fair is done, we love finding the best restaurants and hidden gems in Bologna. We can catch up on our sleep on the flight back to Melbourne.”
As always, Australia’s publishers invite you to join them at the Australia stand party, held on Tuesday 14 April from 5pm at Hall 25, Stand A87. Come see the new design and the book that inspired it, as well as so many others.
“The stand represents all those sharing the space in such a creative and inventive way. We hope it inspires some of the conversations and meetings that will be held there,” says Rosenbloom. “We are particularly looking forward to the stand party, which is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate all the participating publishers and showcase their beautiful books.”
Category: Think Australian profile
