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NorthSouth Books is a Swiss publisher specializing in children's literature, founded in 1961 as Nord-Süd Verlag by Dimitrije Sidjanski and Brigitte Sidjanski in Zürich, Switzerland. The company is best known for publishing the Rainbow Fish series by Marcus Pfister. Initially family-owned, the publisher underwent several ownership changes and was acquired by the Oetinger Publishing Group in 2012. NorthSouth Books publishes original titles by authors and illustrators from the United States, and focuses on themes aimed at connecting cultures through children's literature.

History

NorthSouth Books, originally named Nord-Süd Verlag, was established in 1961 by Dimitrije Sidjanski and his wife, Brigitte Sidjanski, in Zürich, Switzerland. The company initially published multilingual works, reflecting its founders' vision of fostering cross-cultural understanding. Its first book, The Clown Said No, written by Dimitrije under a pseudonym, set the tone for its focus on children's literature.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the company gained recognition for high-quality children's books, collaborating with international authors and illustrators such as Janosh, Ralph Steadman, and Bernadette Watts. It became known for translating and licensing rights to works from diverse cultural backgrounds. Under the leadership of Davy Sidjanski, the founders' youngest son, the company began distributing English-language editions in the United States, which led to the creation of the NorthSouth Books imprint.

The 1980s and 1990s saw growth, with NorthSouth Books achieving success through titles like Marcus Pfister's Rainbow Fish series and Hans de Beer's Little Polar Bear. The publisher also reissued international classics, making them accessible to new audiences.

In 2004, the company was acquired by private investors and underwent restructuring. In 2012, the Oetinger Publishing Group, a major German publishing house, acquired a majority stake. This marked a new phase, emphasizing collaboration between the Zürich office and the U.S. imprint.

Since the acquisition, NorthSouth Books has expanded its catalog to include original works by American authors and illustrators. Notable recent titles include 999 Frogs Wake Up by Ken Kimura and Yasunari Murakami, and No Bath, No Cake by Matthias Weinert.

The publisher continues to acquire rights to high-profile titles, such as Jon Klassen's I Want My Hat Back and This Is Not My Hat, fostering its presence in the international market. It has also launched initiatives to strengthen its offerings in Spanish-speaking regions through the imprint Ediciones Norte-Sur.

Publications

NorthSouth Books gained prominence with the publication of Marcus Pfister's The Rainbow Fish series, launched in 1992. The first book sold over a million copies in the United States within two years and exceeded two million copies globally. The series is notable for its themes of sharing and its distinctive illustrations featuring iridescent foil.

Other works include the Little Polar Bear series by Hans de Beer, recognized for its engaging narratives and illustrations. Additional notable titles include The Christmas Star and Dazzle the Dinosaur, both illustrated by Marcus Pfister, as well as works by Ralph Steadman, Janosh, Max Velthuijs, and Bernadette Watts. Its partnership with Michael Neugebauer Books has facilitated the publication of English-language editions of Neugebauer's works.

Recent publications include Marcus Pfister's The Yellow Cab, Ken Kimura's 999 Frogs Wake Up illustrated by Yasunari Murakami, and Matthias Weinert's No Bath, No Cake.

Company structure

NorthSouth operates with offices in Zurich and the United States. The Zurich headquarters manage global operations, while the U.S. office focuses on English-language markets. The company's leadership includes Herwig Bitsche, who joined in 2012, and Heather Lennon, the U.S. publishing director.

Distribution

The publisher employs a global distribution network, collaborating with partners like Henry Holt & Co. and Faber & Faber for English-language editions. The Spanish-language imprint, Ediciones Norte-Sur, caters to Spanish-speaking audiences.

References

Citations

1. ^ Lodge 2013.
2. ^ Freeman & Lehman 2001, p. 33.
3. Tomlinson 1998, p. 25.
4. ^ Dunleavey 1994, p. 24.
5. Shapiro 2003, p. 240.
6. ^ Dunleavey 1994, p. 23.

Works cited

• Freeman, E.B.; Lehman, B.A. (2001). Global Perspectives in Children's Literature. Allyn & Bacon. ISBN 978-0-205-30862-0. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
• Lodge, Sally (21 March 2013). "A New Chapter for NorthSouth Books". Publishers Weekly. Frederick Leypoldt. ISSN 0000-0019. OCLC 2489456. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
• Shapiro, Ellen Renée (2003). Writer's and Illustrator's Guide to Children's Book Publishers and Agents. Three Rivers Press. ISBN 978-0-7615-2686-5.
• Tomlinson, C.M. (1998). Children's Books from Other Countries. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-1-4616-5742-2. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
• Dunleavey, M. P. (1994). "An internationally flavored house emerges as a publisher on the rise in the States". Publishers Weekly. Vol. 241. Frederick Leypoldt. ISSN 0000-0019. OCLC 2489456. Retrieved 13 January 2025.

• Children's book publishers
• Publishing companies of Switzerland
• Companies based in Zurich
• Book publishing companies of Switzerland
• Swiss brands
• Publishing companies established in 1961
• Multinational companies
• Literary publishing companies