Starfish Bay Children’s Books has expanded its reach from Down Under to these shores. Founded in 2014 and based in Adelaide, Australia, and Auckland, N.Z., this independent publisher focuses predominately on picture books. The company, whose books are distributed in the U.S. and Canada by IPG, recently released five launch titles into this market, with an additional five to follow in the fall.
At the helm of Starfish Bay, which has published 22 books since February 2015, is founder and director Luke Hou. Involved in the publishing business since 1999, Hou received a master’s degree in book publishing in 2007 from the London College of Communication at the University of the Arts London.
At that point, he explained, “I felt the time was right to expand my publishing activities into children’s books, something I had always wanted to do. I also believed that children would benefit from reading books that originated in other languages and territories. The aim throughout is to encourage the joy of reading through a varied range of text and illustration styles.”
Hou observed that his house’s move into the American market benefits the books already released in Australia and New Zealand – as well as young readers in this country. “We felt that these books deserved a wider audience, and that they could be particularly valuable to children in broadening their perspectives and creating a greater global awareness,” he said. “We believe that our books will be appreciated by American parents and their children.”
Launching Starfish Bay’s U.S. list (all titles have been Americanized) are four spring picture books: Why Do Cats Have Tails? by David Ling, illus. by Stephanie Thatcher; The Ogglies: A Dragon Party for Firebottom by Erhard Dietl; The Mountain Man Who Wanted to Live in a House by Maurice Shadbolt, illus. by Renee Haggo; and A Dog Like That! and That Dog at the Beach! by Janene Cooper, illustrated by Evie Kemp.
Comprising the publisher’s fall lineup are You Are Oh So Horribly Handsome! by Eva Dax, illustrated by Sabine Dully; The Busy Tailor Crab by Bingbo, illustrated by Gumi; The Roadman Boogie by Nikki Slade Robinson; Little Bear's Sunshine by Bingbo, illustrated by Daqing and Jiwei Qian; and Knocks in the Night by Tilde Michels, illustrated by Reinhard Michl.
Starfish Bay’s initial lists are representative of the company’s mission – in both hemispheres, Hou noted: “They are a mix of original English-language picture books and carefully selected translated books that are excellent stories with imaginative and intriguing illustration from Europe and Asia.” Out of the five U.S. editions due out this fall, all except for The Roadman Boogie will be released simultaneously with the Australian editions; after January 2017, all U.S. and Australian editions will be published simultaneously.
The publisher anticipates releasing approximately 20 titles in the U.S. market annually, and plans to expand into middle-grade chapter books, beginning in fall 2017. The company’s list will continue to encompass works in translation as well as English-language titles, Hou said, adding, “We are interested in considering original creative work by both new and established American authors and illustrators for publication in the U.S. and other English-speaking countries.”
Hou underscored his company’s commitment to igniting children’s imaginations through a combination of words and images. “We are dedicated to publishing quality, thoughtful books,” he said, “with stories that feature vibrant imagery to help engage children and pass on the magic of books, language, and reading that is enjoyed by so many around the world.”
