NordSüd Verlag

© From: »Rumi«

The Publishing House and its History

From North to South – The Swiss publishing house has been creating books for children everywhere for over 60 years. With around 40 new titles per year we offer a wide range of high-quality illustrated books and stories for children aged 2 - 8. Working with the best illustrators and authors from around the globe and always on the lookout for new talent. Through our imprint NorthSouth Books we are also well established in the US. Regardless of which side of the Atlantic: An eye for detail, a high level of originality and passion for picture books shapes the way we work.

We make books with our hearts and our brains. See for yourself!

Herwig Bitsche

Program

Among our most successful books are »The Rainbow Fish« by Marcus Pfister and »The Little Polar Bear« by Hans de Beer. Our list represents a wide range of authors and illustrators, most of them with numerous titles. Many of our books have been in stock throughout and available for decades. Most recently, the mouse adventures by Torben Kuhlmann have become a significant part of our program. We pride ourselves in promoting young talents and have published quite a few successful debuts in the last couple of years. Our focus is on printed picture books rather than e-books.

Authors and Illustrators

Established and upcoming illustrators and authors rub shoulders on our list. It’s this colorful mixture that distinguishes NordSüd.

To name but a few: Jacqueline Alcántara, Lena Anlauf, Isabelle Arsenault, Mac Barnett, Hans de Beer, Bernadette, Käthi Bhend, Hannes Binder, Sophie Blackall, Jo Ellen Bogart, Pei-Yu Chang, Sonja Danowski, Laura D’Arcangelo, Mariachiara Di Giorgio, Maja Dusíková, Daniel Fehr, Hans Fischer, GOLDEN COSMOS, Žiga X Gombač, Philippe Goossens, Valeri Gorbachev, William Grill, Rebecca Gugger & Simon Röthlisberger, Bruno Hächler, Carla Haslbauer, Franz Hohler, Kazuo Iwamura, Amélie Jackowski, Ishita Jain, Heinz Janisch, Oliver Jeffers, Sita Jucker, Sean Julian, Maja Kastelic, Christa Kempter, Jon Klassen, Vitali Konstantinov, Ernst Kreidolf, Torben Kuhlmann, Donna Lambo-Weidner, Taltal Levi, Miren Asiain Lora, Kai Lüftner, Sebastian Meschenmoser, Thomas Meyer, Estelí Meza, Erwin Moser, Jürg Obrist, Carmen Oliver, Josef Palecek, Baptiste Paul, Lorenz Pauli, Marcus Pfister, Barbara Piatti, Celestino Piatti, Willy Puchner, Rashin, Wiebke Rauers, Carol Roth, Francesca Sanna, Antonie Schneider, Noemi Schneider, Binette Schroeder, Linda Schwalbe, Ana Sender, Sid Sharp, Rina Singh, Jonathan Stutzman, April Suddendorf, Eve Tharlet, Max Velthuijs, Julie Völk, Brigitte Weninger, Udo Weigelt, Brendan Wenzel, Józef Wilkon, Linda Wolfsgruber, Ursina Ziegler, Lisbeth Zwerger and many, many more.

Current awards

  • Leselotse 2023 – Mai
    Noemi Schneider & GOLDEN COSMOS: Ludwig und das Nashorn
  • Luchs 2023 – April
    Noemi Schneider & GOLDEN COSMOS: Ludwig und das Nashorn
  • Leselotse 2022 – Mai
    Bruno Hächler & Laura D’Arcangelo: Noch einer oben drauf
  • KIMI Kinderbuchsiegel 2021 – Rebecca Gugger & Simon Röthlisberger: Der Berg
  • KIMI Kinderbuchsiegel 2021 – Jon Klassen: Aus heiterem Himmel
  • White Ravens 2021 – Rebecca Gugger und Simon Röthlisberger: Der Berg
  • Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis 2020 – Mac Barnett und Jon Klassen: Dreieck Quadrat Kreis
  • Serafina - Nachwuchspreis Illustration 2020 – Linda Schwalbe: Ida und die Welt hinterm Kaiserzipf

Preview Catalogues

Foreign Rights Highlights

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Rumi

  • Rashin
  • Illustrated by Rashin
  • Fall 2023, 40 pages pages, 21.5 x 28 cm
  • Hardcover with gold foil
  • 5+

Even the most eminent poet was once a child - the life story of the famous persian scholar and poet Rumi. Beautifully illustrated by Rashin.

There Are No Dragons in this Book

  • Donna Lambo-Weidner
  • Illustrated by Carla Haslbauer
  • Fall 2023, 32 pages pages, 21.5 x 28 cm
  • Hardcover with pantone colours
  • 4+

There are no dragons in this book! Wait, is that really true? There was one, right here, wasn’t it? A cheeky book that speaks directly to children and invites them to participate.

Wacky Witches and their Peculiar Familiars

  • April Suddendorf
  • Illustrated by April Suddendorf
  • Fall 2023, 48 pages pages, 21.5 x 28 cm
  • Hardcover
  • 4+

Every witch needs a pet by her side. The animal companions are just as original as their modern and versatile witches. The clever rhymes give a glimpse into their everyday lives.

We Are All Penguins

  • Marcus Pfister
  • Illustrated by Marcus Pfister
  • Fall 2023, 32 pages pages, 21.5 x 28 cm
  • Hardcover
  • 4+
  • Rights sold: Dutch

At first glance all penguins look the same, but a closer look reveals that every penguin is different. Theo is the smartest, Felix has short stubby wings, and Lena is attracted to Ida. Each penguin has their own worries and fears, their own strengths and dreams. And yet, together they form a community.

The Little Christmas Tree

  • Thomas Meyer
  • Illustrated by Philippe Goossens
  • Fall 2023, 32 pages pages, 21.5 x 28 cm
  • Hardcover with glitter effect
  • 4+
  • Rights sold: Taiwan (Chinese complex)

Alexis the smallest fir tree in the nursery for Christmas trees. When the animal families come to choose their fir tree, Alex is not noticed at first. But then Selma, a rabbit child discovers him and his potential to be a fantastic Christmas tree - because it’s not the size that matters.

Walter Falter

  • Kai Lüftner
  • Illustrated by Wiebke Rauers
  • Spring 2023, 32 pages pages, 24.6 x 24.4 cm
  • Hardcover
  • 4+

Walter is a shy moth. But in his heart, he is a drummer. At one of Lady B Marie (Jitterbugs) concerts, the unimaginable happens: Walter himself is now in the limelight.

Avocado Magic

  • Taltal Levi
  • Illustrated by Taltal Levi
  • Spring 2023, 48 pages pages, 21.5 x 28 cm
  • Hardcover
  • 4+
  • Rights sold: Italian

Ellie is sulking – she celebrated her birthday yesterday, but she’s not even a little bit taller today! Dad tells Ellie a secret. It’s like the pit of an avocado – small and full of magic. Together they put the seed in a glass of water and we watch both Ellie and her avocado plant grow.

Don’t Be A Bully Little Tiger

  • Carol Roth
  • Illustrated by Rashin
  • Spring 2023, 32 pages pages, 21.5 x 28 cm
  • Hardcover
  • 4+
  • Rights sold: China (Chinese simplified), Taiwan (Chinese complex)

A bully discovers small changes can make a big difference. For small tigers or anyone whose temperament runs away with them from time to time.

Gaudi

  • Susan B. Katz
  • Illustrated by Linda Schwalbe
  • Spring 2023, 40 pages pages, 24 x 28 cm
  • Hardcover
  • 5+
  • Rights sold: Armenian, China (Chinese simplified)

Colorful mosaics, playful flowing forms, imaginative facades—Barcelona shines with the buildings of Antoni Gaudí. How did the son of a Catalan blacksmith become a world-famous architect?

Wir bauen einen Damm

  • Daniel Fehr
  • Illustrated by Mariachiara Di Giorgio
  • Spring 2023, 32 pages pages, 28 x 21.5 cm
  • Hardcover
  • 4+
  • Rights sold: China (Chinese simplified), Catalan, Spanish

Three siblings decide to build a dam. Soon, fishermen, pirates and even the King and his fleet get involved - showing us that children’s imaginations know no bounds.

Ludwig und das Nashorn

  • Noemi Schneider
  • Illustrated by GOLDEN COSMOS
  • Spring 2023, 40 pages pages, 21.5 x 28 cm
  • Hardcover with three pantone colours
  • 4+
  • Rights sold: China (Chinese simplified), Italian

Do things only exist if you can see them? Little Ludwig contests this claim by arguing there is a rhinoceros in his bedroom. Perfect for little philosophers!

Geniale Nasen – Eine kuriose Tiersammlung

  • Lena Anlauf
  • Illustrated by Vitali Konstantinov
  • Spring 2023, 64 pages pages, 23.3 x 28 cm
  • Hardcover
  • 5+

An extraordinary non-fiction book full of curiosities from the animal kingdom. Beautiful illustrations show us the wonderful world of noses.

Adam and his Tuba

  • Žiga X Gombač
  • Illustrated by Maja Kastelic
  • Fall 2022, 32 pages, 251,5 x 28 cm
  • Hardcover
  • 4+
  • Rights sold: World English, Slovenian

Two of the most famous Slovenian children’s book artists take us into the world of the circus. Meet Adam, who in a family of circus artists has the courage to follow his own path.

The Narrator of the Night

  • Carmen Oliver
  • Illustrated by Miren Asiain Lora
  • Fall 2022, 32 pages, 21,5 x 28 cm
  • Hardcover
  • 4+
  • Rights sold: World English

Follow the call of the narrator of the night and visit the Twilight Library. A beautiful story about the magic of reading aloud.

The Rainbow fish doesn't believe everything

  • Marcus Pfister
  • Illustrated by Marcus Pfister
  • Fall 2022, 32 pages, 21,5 x 28,7 cm
  • Hardcover
  • 4+
  • Rights sold: Please enquire about rights availability

A new Rainbow Fish story by Marcus Pfister. The little fish with sparkly scales is back with a timely reminder about telling tall tales.

Marie Beetle

  • Kai Lüftner
  • Illustrated by Wiebke Rauers
  • Spring 2022, 32 pages, 24,6 x 24,4 cm
  • Hardcover
  • 4+
  • Rights sold: World English

Ladybugs are cute, small and hum so nicely - not so Marie Jitter Bug! Her heart beats for Rock’n’Roll. A reminder to be who you are - there’s always a band waiting for you somewhere.

Sherlock Holmes

  • Arthur Conan Doyle
  • Illustrated by Hannes Binder
  • Spring 2022, 56 pages, 17,8 x 25 cm
  • Hardcover
  • 6+
  • Rights sold: World English

Join the most famous detective of all times on his final adventure in picturesque Switzerland. An exciting graphic novel for beginners.

A Garden for Us

  • Zoë Tucker
  • Illustrated by Julianna Swaney
  • Spring 2022, 32 pages, 21.5 x 28 cm
  • Hardcover
  • 4+
  • Rights sold: World English, Korean, Turkish

To everything there is a season in this beautiful story about gardening, loss and treasured memories.

The Clown said No

  • Mischa Damjan
  • Illustrated by Torben Kuhlmann
  • Fall 2021, 40 pages, 21.5 x 28 cm
  • Hardcover
  • 4+
  • World English, Dutch
  • Website

One day Clown Petronius decides that he no longer wishes to play the fool and starts his own circus to tell stories for children and poets alike.

Bruno

  • Serena Romanelli
  • Illustrated by Hans de Beer
  • Fall 2021, 32 pages, 21.5 x 28 cm
  • Hardcover
  • 4+
  • World English, Dutch
  • Website

It’s time for hibernation. Mama Bear tells little Bruno nine funny stories to give him something to dream about.

My Mother’s Delightful Deaths

  • Carla Haslbauer
  • Illustrated by Carla Haslbauer
  • Spring 2021, 48 pages, 21,5 x 28 cm
  • Hardcover
  • Ages 5+
  • Rights sold: World English

Mother is a glamorous opera star. As such she fascinates her audience with various death scenes.

In the Garden with Flori

  • Sonja Danowski
  • Illustrated by Sonja Danowski
  • Spring 2021, 56 pages, 24 x 31 cm
  • Hardcover
  • Ages 5+
  • Rights sold: World English

With the help of Flori the dog Linn takes care of grandfather’s garden.

Chick Chat

  • Janie Bynum
  • Illustrated by Janie Bynum
  • Spring 2021, 40 pages, 21,5 x 25,8 cm
  • Hardcover
  • Ages 4+
  • Rights sold: World English

Peep, peep, peep! Baby Chick has a lot to say!

Badger's in a Bad Mood!

  • Moritz Petz
  • Illustrated by Amélie Jackowski
  • Fall 2004, 32 pages, 21.5 x 28 cm
  • Hardcover
  • 4+
  • World English, Chinese simplified, Chinese complex, Dutch, Finnish, French, Korean, Rhaeto-Romanic, Slovenian, Thai
  • Website

A bad mood can be contagious!

Little Polar Bear Lars and the Panda Bears

  • Hans de Beer
  • Illustrated by Hans de Beer
  • Autumn 2020, 32 pages, 21,5 x 25,8 cm
  • Hardcover
  • Ages 4+
  • Rights sold: World English, Chinese

Lars goes East!

The Rainbow Fish

  • Marcus Pfister
  • Illustrated by Marcus Pfister
  • Autumn 1992, 32 pages, 21.5 x 28.7 cm
  • Hardcover
  • Ages 4+
  • Please inquire about rights availability

Nothing is more fun than sharing and giving Meet the Rainbow Fish, an international bestseller for more than 25 years.

Peace

  • Baptiste Paul and Miranda Paul
  • Illustrated by Estelí Meza
  • Spring 2021, 40 pages, 21,5 x 28 cm
  • Hardcover
  • Ages 4+
  • Rights sold: World English, Spanish

Peace is on purpose. Peace is a choice. Peace lets the smallest of us have a voice.
An inspiring look at things we can all do to bring peace into our lives and world.

Hans Christian Andersen. The Journey of His Life

  • Heinz Janisch
  • Illustrated by Maja Kastelic
  • Spring 2020, 56 pages, 21.5 x 28 cm
  • Hardcover
  • Ages 4+
  • Rights sold: World English

A carriage is driving towards Copenhagen. Inside are a little girl named Elsa, her mother and another passenger, who introduces himself only as Mr Andersen. Over the course of the journey the inquisitive Elsa asks the man a series of questions and he tells her how the son of a cobbler became an acclaimed writer of the “Fairy Tale of his life”.

Heinz Janisch tells the story of the great Danish writer’s life, weaving in elements of his most famous fairy tales along the way. Maja Kastelic mixes picture book and graphic novel techniques and uses different colour schemes to create a multi-layerd masterpiece.

Ida Pfeiffer and the World Beyond Mount Kaiserzipf

  • Linda Schwalbe
  • Illustrated by Linda Schwalbe
  • Spring 2020, 64 pages, 24 x 31 cm
  • Hardcover
  • Ages 5+
  • Rights sold to: World English

Ida has always had a mind of her own. Though living at a time when girls were still expected to be mothers and housewives, Ida dreams of being an explorer and going on expeditions. She bravely sets off on her first trip around the world, an adventurous journey over land and sea, discovering faraway lands and exotic people along the way. A wild, exuberant debut which pays homage to the explorer Ida Pfeiffer (1797 – 1858).

The Mountain

  • Rebecca Gugger and Simon Röthlisberger
  • Illustrated by Rebecca Gugger and Simon Röthlisberger
  • Spring 2021, 48 pages, 21,5 x 28 cm
  • Hardcover
  • Ages 4+
  • Rights sold: World English

Bear knows exactly what the mountain looks like. It is green and there are lots of trees. Sheep knows it too. It’s a pasture. A book about diversity of opinion.

Where you can find me

  • Taltal Levi
  • Illustrated by Taltal Levi
  • Fall 2020, 32 pages, 28 x 21.5 cm
  • Hardcover
  • 4+
  • World English, French (Canada)
  • Website

When a spunky little girl finds that her parents are too busy to play, she decides to visit her favorite place on her own.

In my dream I can fly

  • Eveline Hasler
  • Illustrated by Käthi Bhend
  • Fall 2020, 32 pages, 21.5 x 28 cm
  • Hardcover
  • 4+
  • World English, Chinese, Korean, Romanian
  • Website

Below the ground, five friends—a grub, a beetle, two worms, and a caterpillar—are settling in for the winter.

Doctor Mouse

  • Christa Kempter
  • Illustrated by Amélie Jackowski
  • Spring 2020, 32 pages, 21.5 x 25.8 cm
  • Hardcover
  • Ages 4+
  • Rights sold: World English

Friendly Doctor Mouse is happy to help all of his patients, but he can only see them one at a time. When the dog, hen, owl and fox start talking to each other in the waiting room, they start to solve problems themselves. Will Mr Dog find a new friend? Will Ms Hen lose her fear? Will Ms Owl get a new pair of glasses? This humorous story will tickle your funny bone!

Going to the doctor has never been so fun!

Lindbergh. The Adventurous Tale of a Flying Mouse

  • Torben Kuhlmann
  • Illustrated by Torben Kuhlmann
  • Spring 2014, 96 pages, 21.5 x 25.8 cm
  • Hardcover
  • 5+
  • Rights sold to BG, CA, CN, CZ, DK, ES, FA, FR, FY, GA, GR, HE, HR, HU, HY, I, JP, KR, LT, MN, NL, PL, RO, RU, SE, SL, TR, TW, UA, English world
  • Website

In Hamburg there lives an extraordinary mouse. One day she is struck by how dangerous it has become close to home. There are mousetraps and cats everywhere. One by one her mouse-friends vanish. But where are they fleeing to? America? The tiny mouse decides she too will undertake the journey over the Atlantic. Every night she tinkers with her very own flying machine. A wild adventure is about to begin!

Armstrong. A Mouse On the Moon

  • Torben Kuhlmann
  • Autumn 2016, 112 pages, 21.5 x 28 cm
  • Hardcover
  • Ages 5+
  • Rights sold to CA, CN, ES, FR, GR, HR, HU, I, JP, KR, NL, NO, PL, RO, RU, SE, TW, UA, English world
  • Website

From the acclaimed author illustrator of »Lindbergh. The Tale of a Flying Mouse«, a new tale of ingenuity and daring!

In the 1950’s a small grey mouse discovers a telescope pointing directly at the night sky in her attic dwelling. Drawn to the moon and its waxing and waning, from shiny crescent to a full and bright moon, the little mouse sets out to solve the riddle of the moon and whether, as the other mice believe, it really is made of cheese. A mysterious letter from a famous museum leads her on to greater mysteries and a wise old mouse convinces her that nothing is impossible, not even a mouse setting foot on the moon.

Edison. The Mystery of the Missing Mouse Treasure

  • Torben Kuhlmann
  • Illustrated by Torben Kuhlmann
  • Autumn 2018, 128 pages, 21.5 x 28 cm
  • Hardcover
  • 5+
  • Rights sold to CN, CZ, FI, GR, I, JP, KR, NL, RO, RU, SL, ES, SE, English world
  • Website

From the creator of Lindbergh and Armstrong, comes Edison.

Long ago a mouse learned to fly. Then another landed on the moon! This story of what happened next is an equally amazing adventure with a dramatic twist.

Pete is a curious little mouse who hears of sunken mouse treasure. With the help of a wise mouse professor they set out to retrieve it and make a big discovery which will forever enlighten mouse- and mankind.

“A shooting star in the firmament of children’s literature with cult potential.” Buch und Maus, Christine Lötscher, on Torben Kuhlmann

Einstein – The Fantastic Journey of a Mouse Through Space and Time

  • Torben Kuhlmann
  • Illustrated by Torben Kuhlmann
  • Autumn 2020, 128 pages, 21,5 x 28 cm
  • Hardcover
  • Ages 6+
  • Rights sold: World English, Czech, Dutch, Farsi, French, Italian, Japanese, Romanian, Russian

Instead of travelling back just one day in time to attend a missed cheese festival, the little mouse travels back eighty years. Will Albert Einstein be able to help him go back to his own time?

A Little Night Cat

  • Sonja Danowski
  • Autumn 2016, 48 pages, 24 x 31 cm
  • Hardcover
  • Ages 4+
  • Rights sold to CA, CN, CZ, ES, GL, GR, RO, TR, English world
  • Website

Tony loves animals, especially cats. After a visit to the Pet Rescue Center, his heart hurts for the lonely animals, and he donates his collection of cuddly toys to keep them company. Later that night, he feels all alone. Who will comfort him and help him sleep? Fortunately Tony’s Mum has her own childhood friend, a cuddly cat named Paul and the two become inseparable. Will Tony’s dream of having a real cat to care for and look after soon become a reality?

Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos

  • Monica Brown
  • Illustrated by John Parra
  • Autumn 2017, 40 pages, 21.5 x 25.8 cm
  • Hardcover
  • Ages 4+
  • Rights sold to CA, CN, ES, FR, HR, KR, PT (Brazil), SE, TR, TW, English world
  • Website

Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos is based on the life of one of the world’s most beloved artists and the animals that inspired her art and life. Brown’s story recounts Frida’s pets—two monkeys, a parrot, three dogs, two turkeys, an eagle, a black cat, and a fawn— and playfully considers how she embodied many wonderful characteristics of each animal.

• Pua Belpré Illustrator Honor
Book 2018
• ALA Notable Children’s Book
2018
• New York Times/New York
Public Library Best Illustrated
Children’s Book 2017
• Nami Concours Island Award
2019, Shortlist

Ida and The Flying Whale

  • Rebecca Gugger
  • Illustrated by Simon Röthlisberger
  • Autumn 2018, 32 pages, 24.6 x 24.4 cm
  • Hardcover
  • 4+
  • Rights sold to GR, HR, English world
  • Website

What lies behind the sun, the moon, and the stars? Ida can’t stop thinking about these and other very important questions. Then one night, a flying whale wakes her and takes her on an amazing journey – where some of her questions are answered and even more created. This gentle, philosophical tale is a visual treat sure to fill curious little readers with wonder.

Ada, the Number Crunching Machine

  • Zoë Tucker
  • Illustrated by Rachel Katstaller
  • Autumn 2019, 32 pages, 21.5 x 28 cm
  • Hardcover
  • 5+
  • Rights sold to CN, DK, SE, English world
  • Website

There once was a little girl named Ada. She looked ordinary, but she was anything but. Ada loved solving problems – big problems, little problems, and tricky complicated problems. She invented crazy contraptions, solved big sums, and read all the books in the library. The truth is she changed the world. Zoe Tucker and Rachel Katstaller tell the amazing story of a little girl who didn’t go to school, but grew up to create the world’s first computer program.

A pioneer not just in mathematics but also for women in science.

A Little Courage

  • Taltal Levi
  • Illustrated by Taltal Levi
  • Autumn 2019, 48 pages, 21.5 x 28 cm
  • Hardcover
  • Ages 4+
  • Rights sold: Italian, Korean, World English

A little one conquers the world: potted plants are a wonderful climbing park and a water glass is the perfect swimming pool. But there is a mysterious shadow lurking beyond the books and paper clips. The little girl gathers her courage and prepares to defend herself. But wait, could this fluffy, purring creature be a friend?
An inventive story about courage and friendship.

Events

All events in German language!

Currently no events. Visit the publisher’s website for up-to-date events (visit website).

Contact

NordSüd Verlag AG

Franklinstrasse 23
8050 Zürich

Switzerland

Phone +41 (0)44 936 68 68

info@nord-sued.com
www.nord-sued.com

Contact Person

Publisher and Managing Director Herwig Bitsche

Associate Publisher Andrew Rushton

Head of Administration Janine Moor

Head of Marketing and Communication Nina Grünberger

Public Relations and Events Jacqueline Frei

Social Media and Blogger Relations Anna Freytag

Foreign Rights Hanna Lang, Laetitia Hasler, Sindhya Bergamin, Lena Dempewulf

Head of Editorial Department Elena Rittinghausen

Editorial Department Andrea Naasan, Naomi Wolter

Art Direction Véronique Cuennet

Graphics Department Theresa Gamper, Mariia Andrieieiva

Account Staff Sibylle Berweger

Intern Lea Balliet