Interview opp: Aussie author illustrator and former Disney animator wows US and Australian audiences
Announcement posted by All About PR 10 Sep 2020
Sequel to Rosie and Rasmus "Where the Dragons Are" released to both Aussie & US readers Sept 16
Australian Author illustrator Serena Geddes wowed US publisher with her two-book deal – The Rosie and Rasmus series - and now, almost two years after 2019’s Rosie and Rasmus, the international illustrator now launches the delightful sequel, Where the Dragons Live, out through Aladdin this September 16th to both US fans and Australian readers.
Serena’s agent was quickly able to sell a two-book deal into US giant Simon & Shuster who created the first 2019 book Rosie and Rasmus under their children’s imprint Aladdin. They were excited that Serena was the only Australian author illustrator they had ever signed.
Serena was equally as excited as they asked her to drop off the first draft of the series to their US offices. Realising the courier would cost more than a return flight there, Serena hopped on a plane three years ago to drop the proofs off herself to their New York offices!
Hence the relationship was born and now Serena has fans in both the US and her home-country of Australia.
Having illustrated over sixty books both here and overseas, Serena is well-known, amongst other things, for illustrating the popular Lulu Bell series. She has illustrated over sixty books both locally and overseas, and even worked at Disney Animation in Sydney with a group of talented artists on the sequel to Peter Pan.
Now, following on from the enchanting story about the extraordinary power of friendship in 2019’s Rosie and Rasmus, Geddes has created another enchanting story with a powerful message for children about discovering your true – and joyous – self and accepting yourself for who you are.
In Where the Dragons Live, when Rasmus bids his best friend Rosie goodbye to journey to the Island of Dragons, he wasn’t sure what to expect – he’s never met another dragon before! Upon his arrival to the island, he finds the other dragons to be fierce, feisty and a little mean. They point out how Rasmus and his small wings don’t fit in with the rest of them. Will Rasmus ever be a real dragon? Luckily, Rasmus’ friend Rosie travels to the island, and helps him discover that being his own true self is what really matters in friendship and dragonhood!
Says Geddes, “It was heartening to read so many reviews from readers who were upset that Rasmus left in the first book. They loved the connection between Rosie and Rasmus, so I was thrilled to continue the story where the friendship continues with Rosie showing Rasmus that he is unique and he should accept himself for who he is”.
Continues Geddes, “I was really shy as a child, a real wallflower. So, I remember what it feels like to feel unsure of myself. Usually, as an illustrator, I focus on other people’s stories, but I knew I had a story to tell to young readers about self-love and empowerment. Thankfully, my agent at the time loved the idea of me writing and illustrating a series with a message to kids that everyone is unique, and everyone deserves love. Thus, the Rosie and Rasmus series was born!”
Praise for book one “Rosie & Rasmus”:
“A poignant but ultimately heart-warming tale is paired with adorable and expressive artwork here, making this a wonderful friendship story for the picture-book set.” Library Thing
“Geddes’s soft watercolour palette heightens the quiet sweetness of this story about two characters learning to venture forth.” Publishers Weekly
“Two kindred spirits -a lonely young girl and a solitary young dragon- find each other and discover the power and magic of friendship in this sweetly simple picture book.” Boomerang Books
Publisher: Aladdin
Length: 48 pages
ISBN: 9781481498760
Ages: 4-8
RRP: $22.99AUD/$26.99NZD
About the Author
Serena Geddes has been illustrating children’s books since 2009. She has illustrated the Lulu Bell books and has also worked for Walt Disney Animation Australia on sequels to The Lion King, Peter Pan Return to Neverland, Lady and the Tramp, and The Jungle Book. Her first book as an author illustrator, “Rosie and Rasmus”, was released by Simon & Shuster’s children’s imprint Aladdin in April 2019. The second book in the series, “Where the Dragons Live” is out through Aladdin in September 2020
For more information, please contact:
Anna Abignano, Director, All About PR
Tel: 0411 481 477
Email: anna@allaboutpr.com.au
Serena’s agent was quickly able to sell a two-book deal into US giant Simon & Shuster who created the first 2019 book Rosie and Rasmus under their children’s imprint Aladdin. They were excited that Serena was the only Australian author illustrator they had ever signed.
Serena was equally as excited as they asked her to drop off the first draft of the series to their US offices. Realising the courier would cost more than a return flight there, Serena hopped on a plane three years ago to drop the proofs off herself to their New York offices!
Hence the relationship was born and now Serena has fans in both the US and her home-country of Australia.
Having illustrated over sixty books both here and overseas, Serena is well-known, amongst other things, for illustrating the popular Lulu Bell series. She has illustrated over sixty books both locally and overseas, and even worked at Disney Animation in Sydney with a group of talented artists on the sequel to Peter Pan.
Now, following on from the enchanting story about the extraordinary power of friendship in 2019’s Rosie and Rasmus, Geddes has created another enchanting story with a powerful message for children about discovering your true – and joyous – self and accepting yourself for who you are.
In Where the Dragons Live, when Rasmus bids his best friend Rosie goodbye to journey to the Island of Dragons, he wasn’t sure what to expect – he’s never met another dragon before! Upon his arrival to the island, he finds the other dragons to be fierce, feisty and a little mean. They point out how Rasmus and his small wings don’t fit in with the rest of them. Will Rasmus ever be a real dragon? Luckily, Rasmus’ friend Rosie travels to the island, and helps him discover that being his own true self is what really matters in friendship and dragonhood!
Says Geddes, “It was heartening to read so many reviews from readers who were upset that Rasmus left in the first book. They loved the connection between Rosie and Rasmus, so I was thrilled to continue the story where the friendship continues with Rosie showing Rasmus that he is unique and he should accept himself for who he is”.
Continues Geddes, “I was really shy as a child, a real wallflower. So, I remember what it feels like to feel unsure of myself. Usually, as an illustrator, I focus on other people’s stories, but I knew I had a story to tell to young readers about self-love and empowerment. Thankfully, my agent at the time loved the idea of me writing and illustrating a series with a message to kids that everyone is unique, and everyone deserves love. Thus, the Rosie and Rasmus series was born!”
Praise for book one “Rosie & Rasmus”:
“A poignant but ultimately heart-warming tale is paired with adorable and expressive artwork here, making this a wonderful friendship story for the picture-book set.” Library Thing
“Geddes’s soft watercolour palette heightens the quiet sweetness of this story about two characters learning to venture forth.” Publishers Weekly
“Two kindred spirits -a lonely young girl and a solitary young dragon- find each other and discover the power and magic of friendship in this sweetly simple picture book.” Boomerang Books
“Where the Dragons Live” is available at all good booksellers on September 16th.
www.serenageddes.com.au
www.serenageddes.com.au
Publisher: Aladdin
Length: 48 pages
ISBN: 9781481498760
Ages: 4-8
RRP: $22.99AUD/$26.99NZD
About the Author
Serena Geddes has been illustrating children’s books since 2009. She has illustrated the Lulu Bell books and has also worked for Walt Disney Animation Australia on sequels to The Lion King, Peter Pan Return to Neverland, Lady and the Tramp, and The Jungle Book. Her first book as an author illustrator, “Rosie and Rasmus”, was released by Simon & Shuster’s children’s imprint Aladdin in April 2019. The second book in the series, “Where the Dragons Live” is out through Aladdin in September 2020
For more information, please contact:
Anna Abignano, Director, All About PR
Tel: 0411 481 477
Email: anna@allaboutpr.com.au