We were so excited co-host a panel on children’s literature with World Kid Lit! If you missed this incredibly fun and thoughtful conversation, you can watch a recording here. When the panel ended, our amazing moderator, Bunmi, asked the group to share their favorite #ReadingAfrica books for young readers. You could, of course, watch the video in full, rewind and pause as needed, and then jot down their recommendations. But we won’t make you do that. Instead, you can keep reading for some great suggestions from the panel for books to share with the young reader in your life! You can also take a look at our #ReadingAfrica2021 list on Bookshop.org, which featured illustrated stories for all ages. Continue reading “#ReadingAfrica for the Young Reader”
#ReadingAfrica Week Children’s Literature Panel
One of our greatest joys in this work is being able to reach young readers. We love being able to publish books that educate, entertain, and bring compassion into the world. Our authors are truly the greatest. Our love of kid lit meant that there was that at least one of our #ReadingAfrica events would involve us talking about and championing books for young readers.
We’re thrilled about the panel that we were able to assemble for this fantastic conversation! You can watch a recording of the event below. Continue reading “#ReadingAfrica Week Children’s Literature Panel”
Calling All Illustrators
Catalyst Press is looking for an illustrator who is ready to showcase their talent by joining a unique team of experts in the fields of anthropology, biology, and history for an exciting new project in the world of children’s books.
Catalyst Press’ children’s titles have received starred reviews, made best-of year-end lists, been honored by the Children’s Africana Book Awards, USBBY, and Skipping Stones. Join us to be a part of the next great spark in children’s literature.
Submit all queries and your portfolio of five (5) .jpeg images that demonstrates an ability to work in the genre of children’s books no later than December 20, 2021, to info[at]catalystpress.org with the subject line “Illustration Submission” and your name.
Black, Indigenous, and POC applicants especially encouraged to apply!
What’s New in 2022
Fall is in the air here (translation: I’m already cold). As the calendar pages start falling away on 2021, we thought it’d be a good time to give you all a little sneak peek at our upcoming titles— many of which are available for pre-order.
We’re excited to add more books from one of our favorite children’s authors, Niki Daly, our very first young adult book in translation, and a new addition to our growing list of graphic novels. In addition to those, we think there’s something for just about every kind of reader in our 2022 catalog. Continue reading “What’s New in 2022”
Fly High, Lolo
On My Papa’s Shoulders
Q&A with Helen Brain
Note: This post is originally from November 2019. We’re sharing it again because we’re excited to release the second book in Helen’s trilogy—The Rising Tide—on July 13, 2021. Learn more about the book, and order your copy here. You can also enter to win a copy of The Rising Tide at Goodreads. The giveaway runs through July 6.
We’re so excited to add more books for young readers to our catalog. It has always been a part of who we are. We recognize the importance of giving kids and young adults the tools they need to be readers for life. One of the most important tools is giving them books that speak to them and their experiences. Books that value their voices and their concerns. It’s one of the many reasons we’re so proud to publish The Thousand Steps by Helen Brain.
The Thousand Steps is the first in Helen’s futuristic Fiery Spiral trilogy, and is the story of 16-year-old Ebba who has lived her entire life in a bunker deep within Cape Town’s Table Mountain. When she is suddenly elevated from the bunker, she finds that everything she knew about her life, and the world “above,” was wrong. Now shouldering the immense responsibility of her new life, Ebba must fight to save her friends still trapped in the bunker and facing execution any day. Helen’s book deftly explores race, class, and climate change while telling a story that will captivate young readers. School Library Journal praised the book writing, “This novel will draw readers in with its high stakes and well-developed characters.”
We chatted with Helen about her work, why she loves science fiction, and her advice for young writers. The Thousand Steps is out January 3. Continue reading “Q&A with Helen Brain”
New Releases for May and June
We’re pleased to release two new books this May and June— You’re a Star, Lolo by Niki Daly and Madame LIvingstone by Christophe Cassiau-Haurie, Barly Baruti, and Ivanka Hahnenberger. Both books are available through your favorite bookseller, and right here on our site
In May, we released You’re a Star, Lolo, the third book in author/illustrator Niki Daly’s Lolo series for beginning readers. The book was praised in a starred review from Kirkus, “[D]rawn tenderly and told in a way that honors the characters and their culture. Another winning addition—Lolo is indeed a star!”
You’re a Star, Lolo joins Here Comes Lolo and Hooray for Lolo in the Lolo series of books that introduce young readers to the adventurous and fun-loving Lolo who lives in South Africa with her mother and grandmother. Make sure to also check out all of the educational resources for the series including teaching guides, activity pages, a read-along with the author, and more!
This week saw this release of Madame Livingstone, a graphic novel set in World War 1 Congo. Written by Christophe Cassiau-Haurie, illustrated by Barly Baruti, and translated by Ivanka Hahnenberger this story of adventure and friendship finds Belgian pilot Gaston Mercier teamed with a local guide, an enigmatic man nicknamed Madame Livingstone. Together, the pair set out on a nearly impossible mission: finding and sinking a critical German warship, the Graf Von Götzen. Little by little as the war between Belgian and German colonial powers rages on, Mercier learns more about the land around him, and discovers the irrevocable and tragic effects of colonialism on the local people.
This Week in Literary News, Week of May 9
In Catalyst Press news, Niki Daly’s You’re a Star, Lolo released this week in the USA! This is our third release from Daly, the beloved South African children’s book author and illustrator—and we know you’ll love it as much as we do! Read more about the series and while you’re at it, get a copy of the first two books, Here Comes Lolo and Hooray for Lolo!
In the book world, Publishers Weekly is gearing up for its U.S. Book Show in 10 days, to replace the recently retired BookExpo (R.I.P.). Speakers this year include Oprah Winfrey, Keanu Reeves, Senator Elizabeth Warren, authors Anthony Doerr and Ijeoma Oluo, and more.
Ruth Gilligan’s The Butchers won the Royal Society of Literature’s Ondaatje prize and Douglas Stuart’s Shuggie Bain picked up another major award this week, winning Book of the Year at the 2021 British Book Awards. n+1 has a newly established Anthony Veasna So Prize and announced their first winner this week. Continue reading “This Week in Literary News, Week of May 9”
This Week in Literary News: Week of April 18
First things first – Catalyst news! Niki Daly’s illustrated children’s book You’re a Star, Lolo got a starred review in Kirkus, and Luke Molver accepted his award for his graphic novel Shaka Rising, which was named an Honor Book for Older Readers by the Children’s Africana Book Awards last year. Two of our novelists, Young Blood author Sifiso Mzobe and Theory of Flight author Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu, were featured in virtual talks this week – and both talks are now available to watch online! Join Sifiso on Stony Brook University’s Writers Speak Wednesdays and Siphiwe in conversation with Mercer University’s Dr. Vasile Stanescu.
And in honor of Earth Day this week, we’re offering a major discount on two of our titles, David Muirhead’s essay collection on South African animals Cat Among the Pigeons and Bridget Krone’s middle-grade novel Small Mercies. Use the code EARTHDAY at checkout on our site for 30% off both titles, only available until the end of April!
Tomorrow is Independent Bookstore day! Check out IndieBound’s indie bookstore finder and go buy yourself a book (or two, or twelve–we won’t judge!) to celebrate. UK bookstores have reopened just in time to take part in the revelry, and book sales went up a third in less than a week.
Continue reading “This Week in Literary News: Week of April 18”