Just a short post today, as an addendum to my ever-popular – at least according to the stats — rhyming picture book posts.Next year I have a new picture book out called The Pets You Get, illustrated by the unstoppable Adrian Reynolds (this, to the left, is one of his thumbnails). It’s in rhyme, and the first verse text I’ll have had published since Jack’s Tractor rumbled out. But just when I thought all my work was done and the edits finished, my editor called to ask if I could write a prose version as well, saying that ‘the rights team find picture books with rhyming texts are impossible to sell abroad and so rather than give them an excuse for not selling the book, I think it would be a good idea if we could provide them with a prose version.’
I’ve never been asked to do such a thing before, but it makes perfect sense. And apparently it works. It was hard, though, taking carefully constructed metrical writing and slapping it down into unadorned prose. But it just goes to show the extra lengths you have to go to when dealing with verse. Aspiring picture book writer beware!
The Pets You Get is available for pre-order. Just saying…
Wow, I've never heard this particular argument before. Interesting!
That's fascinating. I can fully understand how hard it would be to translate!
Thanks, Caroline. I think it's less of an issue in the US. UK publisher's are very eager to secure European co-eds.
I really like the idea of a prose version – either way it sounds/looks like it will be a gorgeous addition to a nursery library/bedside table. Very sweet – softerly – illustration from Adrian and catchy title.
Thanks, Rachel. It's lots of fun, even if I say so myself, and Adrian's style is perfect for the book.
How odd though! I'm always delighted when it's a rhyming book I'm reading to one of my children : it just flows so much more easily.
Agreed, Simon. And one wonders why a prose translation can't be made direct into another language. But I suspect overseas buyers are always on the lookout for automatic and obvious reasons to say 'no'.