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 BitscheAmong 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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!
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.
A new Rainbow Fish story by Marcus Pfister. The little fish with sparkly scales is back with a timely reminder about telling tall tales.
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.
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.
It’s time for hibernation. Mama Bear tells little Bruno nine funny stories to give him something to dream about.
A bad mood can be contagious!
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.
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 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).
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.
When a spunky little girl finds that her parents are too busy to play, she decides to visit her favorite place on her own.
Below the ground, five friends—a grub, a beetle, two worms, and a caterpillar—are settling in for the winter.
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!
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!
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.
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
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?
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 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
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.
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 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.
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NordSüd Verlag AG
Franklinstrasse 23
8050 Zürich
Switzerland
Phone +41 (0)44 936 68 68
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