How we came to publish this one
We have published Linda Flynn regularly and for a few years
now. She is a teacher and she has published several educational resources as well
as some fiction for young people. We were confident that we could work well with
her and this was indeed the case. Linda worked with illustrator Linda Laurie and
they submitted the book as a ready-made package. We did edit but there was not much
to worry about. And how beautifully symmetrical; two Lindas created the text
The title
This was entirely the idea of Linda and Linda. There is some
nice alliteration and assonance going on here: A Most Amazing Zoo.
The cover
This was provided by Linda Laurie and offers a taste of what
is in the book. We’re pleased with how the cover and the illustrations came out.
It’s always a bit of a worry. What you see on a computer screen isn’t always what
you can print. We have our screens pretty well tuned to show what the print version
will look like. But not everyone does. Fortunately Linda and Linda were pleased
with the book.
Some notes about style
The story is of the Queen visiting the animals in the zoo. Her
Royal Highness remains professional throughout. All of the animals tell her something
about themselves. The pictures are amusing, bordering on quirky. There are educational
messages for the reader in what each of the animals says. Each picture offers additional
story from what we find in the text alone.
Who we think the reader is
Despite the number of pictures this isn’t really a picture
book for pre-schoolers. This subject matter lends itself to the infant school
child and the text is probably simple enough for the emergent reader. It also works
as a book that a teacher, parent or other involved adult might read to the younger
child. There is also enough humour and quirkiness in it for it to appeal to the
older child, perhaps to the reader who would enjoy stories by Roald Dahl.
Finances
This book is already in the black though we have yet to provide
copies to the British Library and the Legal Deposit libraries. However, we have
taken more than enough money to cover that once the libraries are open again. Linda
and Linda have been proactive in promoting the book and I believe a copy has been
sent to the Cambridges!
What else
We have made a video and an audio book of this.
Reviews welcome, as always.
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