August House Announces New Releases For Fall 2006
Picture Books by Robert D. and Daniel San Souci, Margaret Read MacDonald and Geraldo Valerio along with Heather Forest and Susan Gaber Highlight Fall Releases
Atlanta, GA — August 21, 2006
In October, August House Publishers will unveil three, colorful new picture books by highly acclaimed and award winning authors and illustrators. These three new picture books will set the stage for the August House fall collection. All three books provide stimulating stories for children with engaging plot twists and memorable characters.
Sister Tricksters, Rollicking Tales of Clever Females
Trickster characters are a staple in folktales and stories around the globe. Many adults have fond memories of the exploits of Br'er Rabbit and his cohorts Br'er Fox, Br'er Possum and other sly characters. While Br'er Rabbit and his friends are part of the popular these tricksters, their female counterparts have been curiously overlooked.
As Anne Virginia Culbertson, one of the early collectors of these stories, noted, "A woman sees all'round and over and underneath and on both sides of a thing while a man's just trying to stare plumb through it."
Through the creative magic of the award-winning San Souci brothers, you will delight in the exploits of Molly Cottontail, Miz Grasshopper, Miz Duck, and Miz Goose as they confound worthy (and not-so worthy) foes such as Mistah Slickry Sly-fox, Mistah Rooster and Mistah Bear.
Robert D. San Souci is the award-winning author of the Short & Shivery series of tales, as well as more than 80 picture books based on folktales from around the world, including The Talking Eggs and The Faithful Friend. He also created the screen story for the Disney animated film, Mulan, as well as his first book for August House, Zigzag.
Illustrator, Daniel San Souci has published nearly fifty children's books, including more than a dozen collaborations with his brother, Robert.
From the popular and award-winning creative team that brought you Stone Soup, comes this fresh interpretation of a beloved fable. The little Red Hen's frisky housemates — Dog, Cat, and Mouse — would rather play than help with the daily chores needed to make a delicious cake. But when it is done, they are more than ready to help her eat it.
Heather Forest's rhythmic retelling captures the chaos of daily living and celebrates the spirit of teamwork inherent in the tale. Susan Gaber's whimsical illustrations done in acrylics, some pastels and cut paper transport the reader to a cozy cottage where everyone learns the benefits of working together.
Heather Forest is the author of two recent Parent's Choice Award-winning picture books from August House: Stone Soup and A Big Quiet House. A professional storyteller for twenty-five years, she has been named to the prestigious Circle of Excellence of the National Storytelling Network.
Susan Gaber has illustrated more than twenty books for children. She and Heather Forest have collaborated on three previous books. Most recently she illustrated Mama Outside, Mama Inside by Dianna Hutts Aston and Angel Coming by Heather Henson.
Earlier this year, Margaret Read MacDonald and Geraldo Valerio took readers to Panama with the delightful tale of Conejito. This fall, they take you all the way to Bali, with their new book, Go To Sleep, Gecko. Gecko is small, but he has a big problem.
Every night he is awakened by the fireflies outside his window. So he goes to the head of the village, to complain. His request that the fireflies stop working at night sets off a comical chain of problems for everyone in the village. Through this cumulative tale from the Balinese tradition, Gecko learns that his well-being depends on the cooperation and good will of the entire village.
Margaret Read MacDonald is recognized as one of the leading folklorists in the world. She is the author of numerous award-winning picture books and folktale collections, including Fat Cat (illustrated by Julie Paschkis), The Girl Who Wore Too Much (Yvonne Davis) and Conejito (Geraldo Valerio).
Geraldo Valerio has published several picture books in his native Brazil. He holds an M.A. in Fine Arts from New York University and currently makes his home in Vancouver.
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About August House
Recently recognized as one of "America's 101 Top Independent Publishers," August House is a highly-acclaimed and award-winning multimedia publisher of children's stories and folktale anthologies. August House's is based in Atlanta, GA.
August House Media Contact
Rob Cleveland
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