Fall Update from Bright's Founder, Vicki Willden-Lebrecht

12 years ago, I started coming to the US to visit my sister. To justify the frequent trips, I would fly into New York and meet with publishers to show them my portfolio of artists before taking the train up to Providence, Rhode Island.

I made many friends, greatly enjoyed the meetings, and fell in love with the “BIG” deal publishing and the unique energy of New York. Organically, our little boutique outfit has expanded to now employ some of the world’s very best agents and land increasingly larger deals for our artists. Due to this little fellow above, I don’t get to travel so much anymore, but I remain proud and engaged with all the team are doing and achieving, and wanted to say thank you for your continued interest in Bright over the years.

This year, our US business has grown significantly. The US market continues to fascinate me, and I felt compelled to share a few of our most exciting successes. In particular, I want to congratulate James on his inspiring leadership, Anne on her delicate yet determined work as an agent, and the rest of the team, Robbin, Alex and Aubrey on their continued dedication to Bright!

Many thanks,

Vicki

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Matt Hunt

Bright U.S. has moved!

We’re so excited to stretch out in a bigger and Brighter space of our own in downtown NYC.

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Bright at the Society of Illustrators Original Art show

I’m thrilled to share the eight Bright titles that have been accepted into the prestigious Original Art show at SOI below. A special congratulations to Bright artist Luisa Uribe, who has been awarded the Dilys Evans Founders Award for her illustrations in The Vast Wonder of the World.

For more information on this special exhibition, see the Bright blog post on the topic.

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The Vast Wonder of the World: Biologist Ernest Everett Just

Illustrated by Luisa Uribe

Millbrook Press/Lerner Books

Through stunning illustrations and lyrical prose, this picture book presents the life and accomplishments of this long overlooked scientific pioneer.

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Be Kind

Illustrated by Jen Hill

Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan

*A New York Times Best Seller

From asking the new girl to play to standing up for someone being bullied, this moving story explores what kindness is, and how any act, big or small, can make a difference―or at least help a friend.

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LOOK

Written & Illustrated by Fiona Woodcock

Greenwillow Books/Harper Collins

Starring a brother and sister who go to the zoo, see kangaroos and baboons, and get to bring home balloons! Told entirely in words that contain a double o, this playful story is a great choice for emerging readers.

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I Am a Cat

Written & Illustrated by Galia Bernstein

Abrams

A celebration of both individuality and community, I Am a Cat is a strong debut that shows we’re all more alike than we think . . . if we look closely enough.

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Whale in a Fishbowl

Illustrated by Richard Jones

Schwartz & Wade

A moving, poetic story about a whale in captivity who longs for the ocean . . . because whales don’t belong in fishbowls, do they?

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Fur, Feather, Fin: All Of Us Are Kin

Illustrated by Stephanie Laberis

Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster

This fact-filled rhyming exploration of the diversity of the animal kingdom celebrates mammals, birds, insects, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and more.

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Kate, Who Tamed The Wind

Illustrated by Lee White

Schwartz & Wade

This fact-filled rhyming exploration of the diversity of the animal kingdom celebrates mammals, birds, insects, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and more.

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Both Princesses books illustrated by Bright artist Eva Byrne topped the New York Times Best Seller list the week that the second book, Princesses Save the World, published. The series was created by Today Show host Savannah Guthrie and educator Allison Oppenheim.

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See Sarah’s full portfolio here.

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Bright senior agents Arabella Stein and Anne Moore Armstrong will be in town in November for the SOI show!

Book a meeting with Arabella or Anne.

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Congratulations to Jen Hill!

Be Kind has spent six weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list.

“A spirit of diversity, global and at the community level, pervades Hill’s images, a visual reminder of the importance of kindness regardless of perceived otherness.” -Publishers Weekly (full starred review

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Big Deals at Bright

• Alexandria Neonakis will illustrate Jennifer Richard Jacobson’s This Is MY Room!, to be published by Simon & Schuster.

• Lee White is on board to illustrate singer-songwriter Tom Chapin’s This Pretty Planet picture book, to be published by Atheneum/Simon & Schuster.

• Lorena Alvarez Gómez will illustrate The Magical Yet by bestselling author, Angela DiTerlizzi, for Disney Hyperion.

• David Litchfield has signed his next author/illustrated picture book, Lights on Cotton Rock, with Frances Lincoln/Quarto.

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Bright is expanding into TV & film

We’re thrilled to announce a new in-house division dedicated to this market, led by Courtney Arumugam as Senior Creative Executive. Before Bright, Courtney spent over four years at Mattel Creations (owners of HiT Entertainment, creators of Thomas & Friends, Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam, Pingu, Kipper and Angelina Ballerina and many more).

In her new role, Courtney is responsible for identifying titles from Bright’s extensive library of award-winning, best-selling authors and illustrators that would make compelling TV/film content. By partnering with studios and broadcasters, Bright will be able to bring these stories to screen as joint ventures, co-productions, or full option agreements. The Bright Agency is also looking to develop new TV/film content specific for this market and work closely with selected studios.

Email Courtney here.

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To get in touch with Vicki, e-mail her here.

Follow Vicki on Twitter.