Graffeg News October 2024
OCTOBER NEWS
Zac and Jac
3 October 2024
Racism in football and families is tackled in new Middle Grade book by debut author
Paperback | 112 pages | 8–12 years
210 x 148mm | £7.99
Debut Welsh author Cathy Jenkins has written a powerful new Middle Grade story tackling racism in sport and the wider community as well as what it takes to challenge the opinions of those you love.
Nine-year-old Jac has a hero – his dad. He drives a massive lorry, takes Jac to football at weekends and seems to know about everything.
But when Jac joins a local football team with his best friend Zac, things start to get a bit weird at home. It’s not until a group of footballers come into school to give a talk about racism that Jac realises what the problem could be. Cathy Jenkins’ text carefully balances the sensitivities around racism, stereotypes and prejudice alongside the fun of Zac and Jac’s friendship using the relatable backdrop of a local children’s football team.
Cathy Jenkins is a secondary school English teacher from Swansea. She has been heavily involved in the rolling out of the Arts Council for Wales’s Cynefin project, which is working towards helping schools to develop a more diverse curriculum, and she was a lead-teacher in the first cohort of schools to undertake the project. This is her first published book.
Mouse & Mole: What Might Have Been
3 October 2024
Mouse and Mole return for three short stories navigating friendship and understanding
Paperback | 32 pages
250 x 200mm | £9.99
In the tenth edition of the loveable Mouse and Mole series, following Lo and Behold!, Clink Clank Clunk! and Boo to the Who. In What Might Have Been, Mole promises to molly-coddle an unwell Mouse, the pair get wet on a rainy day, and they think about what they could have been while trying to fly a kite.
Perfect to read to children at bedtime, or for older children to read alone, this book offers the ideal introduction for teaching children the value of friendship and working together, while exploring the different emotions presented by Mouse and Mole throughout the three stories.
Joyce Dunbar is best known for her lively and quirky picture book stories, with the Guardian naming her as ‘one of the best writers for children today’ with praise for her ‘sensitivity, lyrical style and gentle humour’.
James Mayhew is an award-winning, acclaimed illustrator, author, concert presenter and storyteller.
Oh Yes I Am!
10 October 2024
A celebration of pantomime and the power of the theatre
Paperback | 36 pages
230 x 230mm | Ages 3-5 | £8.99
The ‘semi-autobiographical’ debut picture book by award-winning storyteller and pantomime professional Mama G, Oh Yes I Am! is a celebration of the annual festive tradition of pantomime and how the theatre can provide a safe space for many children to be themselves.
A fun and colourful story of accepting yourself and others, Oh Yes I Am! explores the magic of panto and is a perfect gift for any child attending their first show this season.
Mama G is an award-winning year-round storyteller whose work is driven by the magic of panto. Since 2018 she has been sharing stories with children and their families taking her to libraries, theatres, schools and festivals; including the Hay Festival, Cheltenham Literature Festival and even ZSL London Zoo.
The Ranch at the End of the World
17 October 2024
LGBTQ+ romance adventure story at ‘The Ranch atthe End of the World’
Paperback | 112 pages | 8–12 years
210 x 148mm | £8.99
The first YA book published by Welsh independent publisher Graffeg, The Ranch at the End of the World is a romantic adventure story featuring Nell Dart, a young, troubled member of the LGBTQ+ community.
A perfect coming-of-age story for all young teenagers, The Ranch at the End of the World draws attention to unconventional and alternative forms of behavioural therapy including equine therapy.
Emma Bettridge is a theatre producer and writer based near Taunton. She has worked for several major theatres and festivals including Bristol Old Vic, Pulse festival at the New Wolsey Theatre, Caravan2014 (Farnham Maltings/Brighton Festival) and the Pleasance London and Edinburgh Theatres.
Colours of Home
24 October 2024
New picture book showcases how a refugee child settles in their new home
Paperback | 36 pages
230 x 230mm | Ages 3-5 | £8.99
Award-winning illustrator Miriam Latimer has written and illustrated her debut picture book as an author about the struggles of a refugee child settling into their new home, inspired by her experiences of supporting Syrian refugees and helping their transition into a new life.
This powerful, poetic story combines Miriam’s thought-provoking text with detailed and carefully planned illustrations which display visually how Ana adapts to her new life.
A perfect way to spark important conversations about migration, understanding and acceptance with even the youngest children.
Miriam Latimer is an award-winning illustrator, author and potter. Miriam creates bright, joyful, characterful, nature-inspired illustrations and has worked on over 25 books to date. She is a previous winner of a Children’s Book Gold Award with the Association of Illustrators.
You and Rabbit Make a Snowman
24 October 2024
Help Rabbit make a snowman in this new interactive board book
Board book | 20 pages
200 x 200mm | Ages 0–3 | £8.99
Written and illustrated by sister author and illustrator pair, Jemma and Tiphanie Beeke, You and Rabbit Make a Snowman is an innovative, new board book in which young children are guided to actions throughout the story to help Rabbit make a snowman.
Along with being an entertaining read for families, the book is also cleverly designed to help babies and toddlers develop key skills including hand-eye co-ordination and fine motor skills.
Tiphanie Beeke attended the Royal College of Art where she gained a Master’s degree in Illustration and has since specialised in children’s books. She is also the illustrator of Graffeg's Fletcher picture book series.
Jemma Beeke's first published picture book, The Brand New Creature, was illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke and was shortlisted for the Mother Goose Award for new illustrators.
The Book of Being Chimp
29 October 2024
Adrian Cale celebrates chimpanzees in this high-quality photography book
Hardback | 96 pages
210 x 210mm | £18.99
Adrian Cale is an ward-winning wildlife filmmaker, cameraman, writer and naturalist who has previously worked with the likes of BBC, National Geographic, Animal Planet and Sky.
John Macfarlane: Theatre Design and Studio
29 October 2024
The first book about internationally renowned theatre designer and painter John Macfarlane
Hardback | 256 pages
270 x 250mm | £39.50
John Macfarlane was born in Scotland and studied at the Glasgow School of Art. For the first fifteen years of his career he worked mainly in dance with many of the major international companies. Latterly, John has focussed on opera where he designs both sets and costumes. In addition to his opera and dance work, John Macfarlane exhibits regularly as a painter and print maker in the UK, US and Europe.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Catch up on recent releases and news in last month's September News.
Below are a selection of stories you may have missed.
David Griffiths: Portraits
was Launched at the Albany Gallery
David Griffiths joined Arfon Haines Davies and the Graffeg team for the launch of his new book, David Griffiths: Portraits, at the Albany Gallery, Cardiff on 7th September.
Frog in a Fog Event at
Waterstones Epsom
David Moore at Chiswick Book Festival
David Moore talked to Torin Douglas about his beautifully illustrated book Ray Howard-Jones: My Hand is the Voice of the Sea, exploring the life and legacy of the woman war artist as part of Chiswick Book Festival on 18 September.
Jack Brock
Book Launch
Author and illustrator Ali Stearn celebrated the launch of her first picture book, Jack Brock, at the Waterstones store in Norwich on 19 September.