Graffeg aquires 6-book Welsh and English language rights to ‘Rita’ Irish Language picture book series.

Rita is a little girl with big ideas, and now with a bright future in the wider publishing world as Graffeg aquires the UK language rights for her 6-book series by author Máire Zepf and illustrator Mr Ando.

The series, first published in 2017 by Belfast-based Irish language publisher An tSnáthaid Mhór, is centred around the feisty character of Rita and her imaginative adventures (and misadventures) with colourful characters such as a witch, a robot, a dragon, a fairy godmother, a ninja, and a genie. Humorous, engaging, and thought-provoking, the picture books have been honoured with a Literacy Association of Ireland ‘Children’s Book Award’. The latest in the series, ‘Rita agus an Lampa Draíochta’ (Rita wants a Genie) is currently shortlisted for the Reics Carló Award.

We will be releasing the six titles in English and Welsh language editions over the coming year, starting with ‘Rita wants a Witch’ and ‘Rita wants a Robot’ this Autumn. The move follows on from the successful co-editioning of the ‘Molly’ series by author Malachy Doyle and illustrator Andrew Whitson which sees this series released in Irish, English and Welsh by Graffeg and An tSnáthaid Mhór. Building on this co-operation, the sale of the ‘Rita’ UK rights is being hailed as a significant moment for Irish language publishing and an indicator of the high creative standards currently within minority language publishing.

Keep your eye out of the coming months as we begin publish the Rita series in English and Welsh. Check out our collection so far here.