Bonnier News - U.K.

How the World Works Awarded

Templar's popular science book for kids wins prestigious U.K. prize.

Templar's How the World Works, an interactive pop-up book exploring the science of the earth has taken the top prize in the hugely prestigious Royal Society Young People's Book Prize.

Templar's Managing Director Amanda Wood was delighted with the news - "as the idea for the book came from a meeting of two parents while waiting for their children at the school gates," she says.

Ahead by a Nose

U.K.-based book publisher Bonnier Publishing puts the smell in books with new division: Smellessence.

The sweet smell of success was in the air at the Frankfurt Book Fair this year when Bonnier Publishing revealed the latest thing in children's books - a new kind of smelly book.

Using new technology based on micro encapsulation, the scents are touch activated, can be made to replicate any smell, from pineapples to old trainers, and crucially for books, have a shelf life of up to three years.

Bonnier Publishing has set up a new division, Smellessence, and will launch with three adventure story books and a charity-

The Book Future

We spoke with Bonnierförlagen CEO Jacob Dalborg and Bonnier Media Deutschland CEO Hartmut Jedicke about the new roles each will be taking – Dalborg on the boards of the Finnish and Norwegian book companies and Jedicke as board chair for Bonnier Publishing in the U.K.

Jacob Dalborg and Hartmut Jedicke

What are your goals for the Nordic country operations and Finland in particular, Jacob?

Jacob Dalborg: For my part it's about working to ensure we have clever and competitive strategies for each country and putting our efforts into the literary strengths we have at Bonnier.

Hot Key Books Launches in U.K.

A new imprint from Bonnier Publishing, Hot Key Books, will focus on kids.

Bonnier Publishing has unveiled the name of its newest children's book imprint: Hot Key Books. As previously announced, Sarah Odedina, formerly group editor-in-chief of Bloomsbury's children's fiction, is the managing director. She started in her post Sept. 12.

Hot Key Books, which will be based in central London, will focus on children's fiction books for ages 9+.

Sarah Odedina to Join Bonnier Publishing

Bloomsbury publisher to join Bonnier Publishing to start new children's book publisher.

Richard Johnson, CEO of Bonnier Publishing, announced the appointment today of Sarah Odedina as managing director of a new, and as yet unnamed, children's publishing company to be launched in late 2011/early 2012. 

For the past 14 years, Sarah Odedina has served as publishing director of the children's list of Bloomsbury Publishing, including overseeing and managing the Harry Potter series by J.K.

Shaun Tan Wins Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award

Australian illustrator and writer Shaun Tan won the prestigious ALMA award, one of the world's top prizes for children's literature.

"Shaun Tan has reinvented the picture book by creating visually spectacular pictorial narratives with a constant human presence. He uses a variety of means of artistic expression: lead pencil, Indian ink, colored pencil, painting and various print techniques. Shaun Tan sees every book as an experiment in visual and verbal storytelling."

So writes the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Prize site about the 2011 winner of the award, Australian writer and illustrator Shaun Tan.

Pixi Books for Kids Go International

The popular German book series for small children, Pixi, launching in the U.K., France and Australia.

Long popular in the German-speaking world, the Pixi book series for small children is about to make an intercontinental splash, thanks to Bonnier Publishing. Published originally by Carlsen Verlag in Germany, the Pixi series will be launched in the U.K.

Alienology Goes Mobile

Templar's new Alienology book for kids adds a new component: mobile phones.

The Ology family of illustrated children's books welcomes the newest member to the fold, direct from outer space: Alienology. The latest title in Templar Publishing's wildly popular Ology series, which has sold 17 million books worldwide, is also adding a new digital dimension.

Amanda Wood: The Ology Book Series Captures Kids’ Imaginations

Templar U.K.’s Managing Director and Creative Director Amanda Wood explains what makes the Ology books special – and how they’re inspiring teachers to stimulate kids’ imaginations.

Pick up a book in the Ology series and the first thing you might notice is what it feels like - the embossed foil lettering, the embedded jewels, the thick pages filled with tabs and flaps.  That rich tactile stimulation isn't lost on a child.

Templar Talent

Kevin Waldron wins the BolognaRagazzi Opera Prima Award for Mr. Peek and the Misunderstanding at the Zoo.

Kevin Waldron's Mr Peek and the Misunderstanding at the Zoo, published by Bonnier-owned Templar Publishing, accepted the first BolognaRagazzi Opera Prima Award at the Bologna Book Fair.

The BolognaRagazzi Award is one of the most prestigious awards in children's book world. This year, there were almost 1,200 contributions from 36 countries, competing in four categories. The Opera Prima is awarded to the best debut work.

The 29-year-old author was thrilled about the win.  "This is fantastic news, I can not believe it!" Waldron said.