‘Animal Friends Padded Board Books’ are among the products of the UK children’s publisher now changing its name from Top That to Imagine That. Image: ImagineThat.com
Changing Names After 20 Years
Imagine That is the new name for Top That Publishing, a children’s press now 20 years old and based in Woodbridge, Suffolk.
According to press materials, the company sells more than 11 million books annually in some 70 international markets.
In addition to changing names, the company is introducing a new fiction imprint, Willow Tree, which is to focus on picture story books and chapter fiction from what press materials describe as “loved and trusted authors,” with an eye to parent-child reading time.
In a prepared statement, managing director Dave Henderson is quoted, mentioning the fact that the independent publishing house has been family-run throughout its 20 years—he succeeded his father, Barrie Henderson, in 2009.
Dave Henderson
Dave Henderson says, “We look forward to a dynamic future as Imagine That, with an exceptionally talented and enthusiastic team.
“As we evolve and develop with our new imprint strategy, including the hugely exciting Willow Tree Books, our mission to inspire children to read, learn, play and create remains at the heart of the company.”
The company is to have stands at both Bologna Children’s Book Fair (March 26-29) and London Book Fair (April 10-12). As Imagine That, the company can be found here.
EstLitFest Set for April 13 and 14
In addition to its part in the Market Focus Baltics programming at the London Book Fair (April 10-12), the Estonian book industry has its own “EstLitFest” planned for April 13 and 14 at the Coronet‘s Print Room in London’s Notting Hill.
EstLitFest
is hosted by journalist Rosie Goldsmith and consultant Bhavit Mehta, the events are to feature UK authors Tony White and Linda Grant along with Estonian writers. The festival is part of the outreach programs being mounted by the republic in observance of its centenary.
- A session called “Estonian Vikings: The Northmen’s Fury,” for example, is to feature archeologists Marika Mägi and James Graham-Campbell and historian Mart Kuldkepp.
- Another event will see the launch of a book, Pobeda 1946: A Car Called Victory, by Ilmar Taska in an event with Taska, Anna Winslet, Edmund Harcourt and Chris McKeeman, with music from Villu Veski and Tiit Kalluste.
- Yet another event, one listed as a “provocation” with a title that may resonate in Brexitian England, is “What Now, Europe? A Future of Nation States From Estonia’s Perspectives” is to feature Estonian writer Mihkel Mutt and the Estonian ambassador to the UK, Tiina Intelmann.
- And Rüüt is a musical ensemble that bases its work in traditional Estonian song, programmed into an event called “Adventurous Accordions.”
Estonian poet Doris Kareva. Image: Piia Ruber
The full program schedule is here and the program has support from the Estonian Literature Centre, the Estonian ministry of culture and publishers association, and London Book Fair.
Writers participating include:
- Poet Kristiina Ehin with troubadour and Silver Sepp
- Poet Doris Kareva
- Writer and translator Kai Aareleid
- Storyteller Veronika Kivisilla
- Novelist Adam Cullen
- Novelist Andrei Ivanov
- Translator Miriam McIlfatrick-Ksenofontov
- Storyteller Mehis Heinsaar
Information is at the program’s site here. A site dedicated to the “Estonia 100” events planned in various parts of the world is here.
The Estonian musical ensemble Rüüt is part of a session at EstLitFest called ‘Adventurous Accordions’ Image: EstLitFest
More from Publishing Perspectives on children’s books is here. And more from us on London Book Fair is here.