After nearly eight years of producing illustrated art books and serving as an educational consultant for artists’ estates, museums, and other cultural organizations, Los Angeles-based Atelier Éditions has entered new territory. Atelier Enfants, an imprint that started up last month, published its debut title, Pablo Dreams of Cats—also a children’s book first for Dutch artist Timo Kuilder.
“Recognizing the foundational principles that apply to our adult readership—memorable protagonists, multilayered narratives… alongside an empathetic worldview and the inclusion and consideration of universal human truths—we attempt to bring similar concepts to Atelier Enfants’ colorful, thought-provoking, and inclusive books intended for young audiences,” said co-founder and development editor Kingston Trinder. Along with co-founder, publisher, and editorial director Pascale Georgiev, editors Clelia Gore and Leila Boukarim, and design director Capucine Labarthe, Trinder is heading up the imprint and preparing to roll out additional titles for 2024 and beyond.
A Departure from the Norm
The decision to enter the children’s book market was prompted by a desire to move beyond Atelier Editions’ largely academic portfolio. While the company had primarily focused on research-driven subjects and incorporated pre-existing imagery into its books, the new imprint introduces fresh storylines and illustrations. Trinder said, “[It allows] us the liberty of creating storytelling experiences that are untethered to scholarly inquiry.” Subject matters tackle everything from sustainability and Earth and ocean conservation, to diversity and inclusion, accompanied by colorful illustrations designed to educate and enlighten young readers.
For their first release, Pablo Dreams of Cats, Labarthe tapped Kuilder, whose style aligned with Atelier Enfants’ artistic direction. “His rich textures, kaleidoscopic colors, and nostalgic hand-drawn illustrations embody much of what we fondly recall of our own childhood books,” Trinder told PW. The Amsterdam-based illustrator, for whom English is a second language, also supplied the text of this tale about an imaginative dog with creative aspirations. The author-illustrator said, “It’s about inclusion and open-mindedness, how dogs and cats can be friends, and about doing what you love— forget the haters!” According to Trinder, this story is meant to inspire readers to stay true to themselves and to overcome obstacles when pursuing their own creative visions.
Along with the board book, Atelier Enfants has produced Pablo coloring book placemats, inspired by the illustrations, and has partnered with Sleepy Jones on a set of children’s pajamas. The branded products are available online at atelier-enfants.com and at specialty retailers.
Kuilder is now thinking about a possible sequel or may take a different direction altogether. “The next book [could be] focused on another antithesis, for example, a panda that is looking for more color in their life, or a vegetarian crocodile chef or a chameleon stuck in monochrome,” he said.
As for Atelier Enfants, the company plans to publish two titles in spring 2024. Bo’s Magic Ocean Glow by David Sutton, illustrated by Bailey Elder, will have an eco-conscious focus, and Journey of the Red Knots by Trinder, illustrated by Espen Friberg, will focus on the climate crisis. Additional titles for fall 2024 and spring 2025 are also in the works from new and established author-illustrators. Regardless of theme, all releases will coincide with the publisher’s goal, as stated by Trinder: “[to] encourage children to become mindful, empathetic, inquisitive, and engaged members of their villages, wherever they may be.”
