Publisher Profile: Nobrow / Flying Eye
The CBC asks Kelsey Taylor, US Sales & Marketing Coordinator, questions about the publisher.
What is your publishing house most known for?
Although we publish a huge range of things, we are most known for our Hilda series, which has since developed a cult following and been adapted into a critically-acclaimed Netflix show. We’re also known for our illustrated young fiction books, which is a genre we defined for emerging comic book readers who are interested in the world of comics and graphic novels, but are perhaps looking to be eased in. The format is closer to that of a picture book, but utilizes the format of comic book panels. Lastly, our middle-grade nonfiction books, especially ones that focus on global natural wonders facing pressing environmental and social issues, are a prominent part of our list. We also publish beautiful picture books, YA and Adult graphic novels, and in 2022 published our first fiction novel – The Bones of Me – a stunning debut told partly in verse.
Which title does your house feel deserved more love than it got?
Beetles for Breakfast: And Other Weird and Wonderful Ways to Save the Planet by Madeleine Finlay; Illustrated by Jisu Choi (ISBN 9781912497508) for middle-grade readers. Cruising down the highway in a coffee-powered car? Chomping into a cricket sandwich? This book of bizarre facts about the ways in which our lives could be changed by planet-saving technology is truly wild! We LOVE the weird and gross possibilities of futuristic sustainable inventions that are covered here.
Which upcoming titles is your house buzzing about?
Vern, Custodian of the Universe by Tyrell Waiters (ISBN 9781913123093).
Cowboy Bebop and hyper-fantasy fans…buckle up! This new sci-fi graphic novel is from a wonderfully talented debut creator that we are super excited about. Exploring what it means to be human in our current world, Vern: Custodian of the Universe is both thought-provoking and hilarious.
Which of your frontlist titles would be great for a school or public library?
The Great Barrier Reef by Dr. Helen Scales; illustrated by Lisk Feng (ISBN 9781838749842) ~ ideal for libraries and classrooms, for grades 2-7! However, I babysit a 4-year-old kiddo that can’t get enough of this book, so young readers may find this one approachable as well. It’s the perfect book to learn absurd facts about The Great Barrier Reef’s ecosystem and inhabitants. Did you know that giant clams can weigh as much as two baby elephants? We didn’t either until we picked up this book.
Which of your frontlist tiles would be great for an at-home library?
The Comet by Joe Todd-Stanton (ISBN 9781838740658) for early readers ages 3+. The latest picture book from award-winning, internationally best-selling creator Joe Todd-Stanton, The Comet explores the universal topic of moving house in a beautiful and thought-provoking story. Nyla and her dad move to the city from the countryside while struggling to adjust to her new life Nyla uses imagination and creativity as her escape. A perfect book to read together, whether you are moving house or not.
Name a few of your favorite backlist titles that people should check out.
Wild by Emily Hughes (ISBN 9781909263086) for early readers ages 3-7. The author/illustrator is Hawaiian-born, which shines through in the story, as the central character is a little girl who has known nothing but nature from birth. The longing to be free that exists within us all is felt in this lovely book, and would make for a wonderful bedtime read to cozy up with. Well suited for the shelf at home.
An Illustrated History of UFOs by Adam Allsuch Boardman (ISBN 9781910620694) for tweens, teens, and adults – a book for those obsessed with conspiracy documentaries and the extraterrestrial. Signs has always been one of my favorite films, so naturally, I bee-lined straight to this book.
In Waves by Aj Dungo (ISBN 9781910620632) for teens and adults, a beautiful love story that is part memoir and part history of surfing. A tearjerker, yes, but a unique exploration of grief, cancer, romance, and surfing. This book is so many things and manages to pull it off flawlessly.
Looking Up by Jacob Kramer; illustrated by Stephanie Scholz (ISBN 9781912497683) for middle-grade readers; this is a silly and approachable book of facts about space, observatories around the world, and light written by multitalented Harvard graduate and children’s book author. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that as an adult, I learned an incredibly long list of new things about space that blew my mind. Teachers: This is the Ideal companion for STEAM curriculum subjects!
Thank you, Nobrow/Flying Eye!
