This spring, Independent Publishers Group is introducing a new children’s publisher to the U.S. children’s book market: Cuento de Luz. The Spain-based eco-friendly company, which launched its first title in Spain last May, will debut its U.S. line in April with eight books in Spanish and six in English.
“The goal was to establish a publishing house that would contribute to making a better world,” says author Ana Eulate, who is also founder and chief editor of Cuento de Luz. That objective is in line with the company’s strong philosophy and also evident in the values the books promote: respecting differences, developing the child within, promoting peace. Furthermore, all books are printed on Forest Stewardship Council certified paper.
Eulate says the most important idea “wasn’t just to write, but to create an opportunity for others to contribute texts and illustrations with a message, something different.”
Diana Calice, IPG’s Spanish book specialist, says the quality of Cuento de Luz’s books is what first interested the distributor. “They are beautifully illustrated titles,” said Calice, “[with] valuable lessons for children about accepting differences, believing in yourself, handling death in a positive way. That’s what sets them apart.”
One spring picture book, Los latidos de Yago (Yago’s Heartbeats), tells the story of a boy in a wheelchair who cannot speak. When a snail on a string is hung around Yago’s neck, the animal learns that Yago’s inner world is alive and that there are many ways to communicate besides what we deem “normal.” The book’s author, Conchita Miranda, is mother to a child with cerebral palsy and the founder of La Fundación Sobre Ruedas (“The Foundation on Wheels”), which supports children suffering from cerebral palsy.
Another launch title, Cuerpo de nube (Little Cloud Lamb) by Eulate, aims to help parents broach the subject of death with young readers. Kor Derito (“Lambkin” in the English-language edition) is a little lamb whose body is a cloud and not made of wool. He learns to embrace that he is different and is attuned to nature and all that surrounds him, in a story that encourages a conversation about loss.
Both books were illustrated by Mónica Carretero, who won the Illustrator’s Award at last year’s London Book Fair.
Cuento de Luz has a small staff based in Spain and collaborates with writers, illustrators, and translators around the world. The Spanish-language titles, for example, underwent extensive editing to ensure the use of a universal Spanish. “It’s very hard to not put your foot in your mouth,” says Eulate about reaching international markets, and referring to La familia Bola (Roly-polies), whose original title could have been offensive to readers from the Caribbean. “One must possess tact and respect for the vocabulary that will be used.” The editorial team works with translators from various Latin American countries to ensure neutral vocabulary.
