Being big fans of big celebrations here at LoveReading4Kids, we’re thrilled to share news that one of our favourite publishers, Big Picture Press, is celebrating their 10th anniversary in 2023. That’s ten years of creating visually stunning books to treasure; books that engage and entertain children in truly fresh ways. If that wasn’t enough, Big Picture Press is no stranger to winning major global awards, and garnering rave reviews.

Without further ado, we’ll hand you over to Joanna McInerney, Head of Big Picture Press, to share why their books are so darn special. As a bonus, you’ll also get to discover brilliant books you’ll most likely want to add to your Christmas shopping list.

Describe Big Picture Press in three words.
Considered, covetable, curious.

What’s the editorial ethos of Big Picture Press? What makes a Big Picture Press book a Big Picture Press book?
We really value, listen to, and collaborate with our authors and illustrators to create the best books possible. We often start with just the seed of an idea, whether it’s a story or a non-fiction theme, and allow it to grow into something really special by pushing our contributors to their creative limits and empowering them to try something new. We like to step a little outside of the ordinary, and think about making books that readers 20 years from now will still pore over and return to again and again.

And now onto the exciting news! Do you have anything special planned for your 10th anniversary? (happy birthday, by the way!)
Thank you! We have lots of exciting plans in the pipeline for the coming months, but perhaps the most exciting is the launch of our new Welcome to the Arts series, which publishes 10 years after Welcome to the Museum, the series which kickstarted it all. The first book, Dance, was written in collaboration with Sadler’s Wells Theatre, and we are looking forward to getting together to celebrate with a launch party.

Can you share some highlights from across the ten years of Big Picture Press?
Any exciting awards, events, or acquisition stories? There are so many it’s hard to pack them all in! Our most recognised series, Welcome to the Museum, has gone on to sell over 2 million copies worldwide and shows no signs of slowing down, which is something we are immensely proud of.

We’ve also bagged a whole host of awards over the past decade including a Bologna Ragazzi, two British Design and Production Awards, a Children's Book of the Year by the Sunday Times and a Waterstones Prize shortlisting.

But aside from sales and awards, some of the best moments have been getting to work with people we’ve been wanting to for years – there’s nothing better than crafting the perfect book with an author or illustrator we’ve admired from afar.

Give us elevator pitches for some upcoming, or recently-published, Big Picture Press books.
I’ll give you 3!

Terra Ultima – This incredible book documents the life work of Raoul Deleo, an explorer who has discovered something hardly believable – a new continent, right on the edge of the world. This collection of phenomenal illustrations and notes bear witness to the discovery of a continent so large, so rich and diverse in wildlife, that it remains a mystery as to why it has never been discovered before…

Welcome to the Museum at Christmas – Fans of the bestselling Welcome to the Museum series can now countdown to Christmas with this beautiful pop-up advent calendar. Readers will be treated to a beautiful pop-up tree, alongside a 28-page mini booklet detailing all the wonderful flora and fauna there is to discover during the autumn and winter months, from reindeer to red robins, and pear trees to poinsettia.

Time Runs Like A River – The second picture book from the highly acclaimed artist Emma Carlisle (author and illustrator of What Do You See When You Look At A Tree?), this gorgeous story explores the concepts of time and change through the ebb and flow of a river. From the fleeting flash of a kingfisher to slow grinding of pebbles, readers are encouraged to notice the big and small things happening in nature, as well as reflecting on things which have come and gone, and those yet to be enjoyed.

Which books from the Big Picture Press backlist should everyone read?
Maps – Perhaps one of my favourite books of all time. Maps is literally jam-packed with information and little things to spot. You can travel the world without leaving your bedroom.

What Do You See When You Look At A Tree? – This beautiful picture book never fails to make me emotional every time I read it! It’s an important reminder to reflect on who we are and to take care of our world.

Art of Protest – This is one of the most inspiring books I’ve ever worked on. Stories of young activists combine with powerful artwork, tips and activities to empower anyone interested in protest art to find their own creative voice and make a change.

    

Who would you invite to your dream literary party?
Maya Angelou, Alan Aldridge, Benjamin Zephaniah, Eileen Mayo and Maurice Sendak – the most creative, interesting and perhaps most importantly, hopeful, bunch of people I can think of.

Tell us a secret about books… It’s perhaps not a secret, but books aren’t really books at all; they’re time machines. A good story has the remarkable ability to transport you anywhere, and possesses a magical quality that enables you to expand your horizons and walk in someone else’s shoes without ever leaving your chair.

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Want to know more about the people who bring you all those books you love? Read the rest of our Industry Insights series.