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À dos d’âne (literally “at donkey’s pace”) is a young and innovative children’s publisher created in 2009. Its main goal is to offer alternative yet accessible books to young readers, mainly in the genre of famous characters’ biographies. With daring editorial choices, but constantly keeping the children’s target in mind, À dos d’âne’s series re-invents biographies for children.

Des graines et des guides (Seeds and guides) À dos d’âne’s main series proposes biographies of famous characters which are rarely known by children, but whose lives and works should be inspiring to them.

The chosen characters stem from fields which are original but appealing for young readers of 8 and up : cinema (Chaplin, Tati, Méliès, Truffaut), literature (Lewis Carroll), science (Donald W. Winnicott) or music (Gerschwin, Josephine Baker)…

Texts are very carefully written and edited, in order to offer accessible, entertaining yet sound information. Black and white illustrations accompany the texts with a variety of styles. With their easy-to-manipulate small format, the books will offer a fresh look at the biography genre for children.

The collections Seeds and guides and The notebooks of wonders were selected in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014 by La Revue des livres pour enfants publicated by the French National Library, as one of the best books for children.

New Collection

A World Step by StepBecause each step counts From 11 years old 80 p. / 11,5 x 17 cm / 10e

Journey to Auschwitzby Nikolaï Angelov and Mathieu de MuizonIn 2014, on the initiative of the European Union, Nikolaï Angelov, emigrated from Bulgaria, travels with one thousand Romanies to Auschwitz on the occasion of the seventy years’ anniversary of the liberation of the concentration camps. He delivers to us here the account of this deeply moving experience. Faced with the Holocaust, the extermination of the Jews, the Romanies and all those whom the Nazis persecuted, Nicolaï finds beyond the horror, the pride to be a man and a Romani. He wonders about the condition of Romanies today in Europe. An information file throws light on this aspect of contemporary history, which remains an open wound in the heart of Europe.

>>> The “A World Step by Step ” collection sets out to connect young readers to current topics that concern them. By awakening their conscience and appealing to their humanity, this collection invites young readers to play their part in a world that they too build step by step.

The artist’s lifeby Franck Médioni and Mathieu de MuizonWhat is copyright ? How did it come to be ? What is its use ? How did it evolve ? Is it threatened today? What institutions protect it? In four colorfu laccounts, and with the humorous complicity of Mathieu de Muizon for the illustrations, Frank Médioni relates to young readers the long unfolding story of copyright. An essential document of current relevance for the young people who love cinema, books, music… and for all those who are interested in the arts.

CATALOGUE SEPTEMBEr 2015

Nikolaï Angelov Mathieu de Muizon

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Sans diplôme, ni bagage, Nikolaï, fuyant la Bulgarie, la misère et la discrimination contre les Roms, arrive à Paris à l’âge de 19 ans. Sa volonté de s’en sortir, des rencontres opportunes lui permettent de s’intégrer, d’effectuer son service civique lors duquel il aide les Roms des bidonvilles. Grâce à cette expérience couronnée de succès, il travaille aujourd’hui à la mairie de Paris. En 2014, à l’initiative de l’Union européenne, il part avec mille Roms à Auschwitz à l’occasion des soixante-dix ans de la libération des camps de concentration. Face à la Shoah, à l’extermination des Juifs, des Tziganes, et de tous ceux que les nazis ont persécutés Nikolaï, au-delà de l’horreur, retrouve la fierté d’être un homme, un Rom. Il s’interroge sur la condition des Roms aujourd’hui en Europe. Un dossier documentaire permet d’éclairer cette histoire contemporaine qui reste une blessure ouverte au cœur de l’Europe.

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La vie d’artiste4 histoires du droit d’auteur

Collection Un monde pas à pasParce que chaque pas compte

À partir de 11 ans

Voyage a AuschwitzRécit d’un jeune Rom

Franck Médioni Mathieu de Muizon

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Qu’est-ce que le droit d’auteur ? Comment est-il né ? À quoi sert-il ? Comment a-t-il évolué ? Est-il menacé aujourd’hui ? Quelles institutions le protègent ? En quatre récits imagés, et avec la complicité humoristique de Mathieu de Muizon pour les illustrations, Franck Médioni raconte aux jeunes lecteurs la longue marche du droit d’auteur.

Une indispensable page d’actualité pour les jeunes qui aiment le cinéma, les livres, la musique… et pour tous ceux qui s’intéressent à la culture.

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La vie d’artiste4 histoires du droit d’auteur

La vie d’artiste4 histoires du droit d’auteur

Collection Un monde pas à pasParce que chaque pas compte

À partir de 11 ans

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“SEEDS AND GUIDES” Collection8-12 years and older / To access the best of contemporary history 48 p. / 10,5 x 15 cm / 7,50e

trAvelerS / WriterS / World cultureS > > >

Karen Blixen, a European woman in Africaby Véronique v. Beau and Dimitra Nikolopoulou The adventure of Karen Blixen in Africa or how, at the dawn of the twentieth century, a woman of exceptional destiny dreamed of running a farm in Kenya and there she got to know Africa and its people.

Alexandra David-Néel, an explorer on the roof of the worldby Gwenaëlle Abolivier and Gopal Dagnogo On foot, on the back of a mule or even a yak, David-Néel will cross India, Tibet and China. In 1924, she is the first western woman to enter secretly Lhassa, a Tibetan town forbidden to foreigners.

Marguerite Yourcenar, the academician with wind in her solesby Achmy Halley and Tanguy Dohollau The first woman to be elected to the French Academy, Marguerite Yourcenar, who dedicated her life to writing and travel, was also a lover of nature and oriental wisdom.

Léopold Sédar Senghor, the poet of everlasting words by Véronique Tadjoand William WilsonOn the village square, Leopold listens, fascinated, to a griot. This little boy will become one of the greatest poets of his time and also be the first African member of the Académie Française. And that is not all. He will be elected President of the Republic of Senegal, his country!

Aimé Césaire, a volcano called poetry by Bruno Doucey and Christian EpanyaOriginally from Basse-Pointe, in Martinique, Aimé Césaire will make brilliant studies in Paris. A great poet, he will also become a deputy and mayor of Fort-de-France during a life where poetic and political will only be one now.

3 poets of Negritude This set brings together the 3 titles on the poets of Negritude; Senghor, Damas and Césaire invented the concept of Negritude – the defense of the black people’s values – in 1934, while at the same time revolutionizing poetry by enriching the French language with the colors of Senegal, Guyana and Martinique. An indispensable page of history for children.

Léon-Gontran Damas, the jazzy poet by Nimrod and Gopal DagnogoA silent child until the age of six, Léon-Gontran Damas soon leaves French Guiana for Martinique and then Paris. It is there that the free young man, a jazz lover, will meet Césaire and Senghor. The three poets will revolutionise poetry, by inventing negritude; the defence of black people’s values.

Sitting Bull, the bison of the Great Plains by Marilyn Plénard and Gopal DagnogoSitting Bull, was the last great Indian chief of North America. His name resounds like that of a legend. Much more than that, he remains a monumental, historic figure of the West, a combatant of freedom with the unforgettable look.

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Gandhi, the attorney of the oppressedby Achmy Halley and Georges Lemoine During more than half a century, in India, Gandhi fought injustice with nonviolence, leading a humble life and dreaming of a world where man would live in harmony with the earth, respecting his human brothers.

Science > > >

Donald W. Winnicott,the inventor of childhoodby Nicole Sorand and Rafaële IdePaediatrician and psychoanalyst, D. W. Winnicott was one of the first doctors to regard babies as individual people. His original vision radically changed how we understand childhood.

Catherine Kousmine, plate detective by Jacqueline Aymeries and Julia Perrin The paediatrician Catherine Kousmine investigates what we eat ... and like a real detective she unmasks bad foods.

Théodore Monod,a scholar under the starsby Bruno Doucey and Zaü A great humanist and lover of the desert, Theodore Monod remains one of the last scholars to offer a universal vision.

Dian Fossey, the gorillas’ guardian angel by Brigitte Hache and Zuzanna Celej At 31, Dian Fossey goes to Rwanda, in Africa, to meet the gorillas. Studying and safeguarding the gorillas will become her whole life’s battle. A commitment for the preservation of the future.

Hubert Reeves,looking at the skiesby Vivian LofiegoVivian Lofiego relates step by step the path of Hubert Reeves, the renowned astrophysicist who likes so much to meet the public and children to communicate his passion for the universe and his great respect for nature. A book to inspire vocations... with a preface by Hubert Reeves.

Albert Einstein, the great mind of physics by Marilyn Plénard and Anastassia ÉliasA rebellious child, a brilliant student, Albert Einstein dreams of becoming professor of natural sciences and mathematics. At the age of twenty, he is an obscure employee, who during his free time, puts together the theories which will revolutionise physics and make him into a huge scientist.

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MuSic / dAnce > > >

Francis Poulenc, a composer rich in colourby Simon Basinger and Françoise LepaulmierAt the age of two, the little Francis Poulenc happens to be offered a miniature, white-lacquered, piano which he nicknames his « Doh-Re-Mi ». Gifted with a multifaceted talent, this lover of music will become one of the great French composers of the 20th century.

3 moderns of French music Erik Satie, Claude Debussy, Francis Poulenc. At the turn of the 20th century, these three French composers blew a wind of freedom through music that became synonymous with modernity. A set for a gentle approach to discover them.

3 jazz legends A bouncy trumpet, a warm voice with bursts of honey, a frantic guitar… all that jazz ! Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday and Django Reinhardt invented jazz and its landscapes. Three legends to discover a music with a universal accent.

Louis Armstrong, enchanting jazz by Franck Médioni and Michel Backès Born with the twentieth century in New Orleans, Louis Armstrong is a pioneer of jazz. Thanks to him, this music which was just a limited folklore in the south of the United States has become a universal language, a world music.

Claude Debussy, music as sensation by Pétronille Danchin and Anastassia EliasOne must know how to try out new ideas, he used to say, otherwise you might as well grow pineapples at home! And that’s what Claude Debussy did, this great composer who, at the transition of the 19th to the 20th century, turned the art of music writing upside down: for he knew how to make music express a world of sensations.

Django Reinhardt, jazz in the clouds by Franck Médioni and Julia PerrinDjango Reinhardt ? « the greatest guitarist of the century », « the only original creator of the European jazz ». The gipsy guitarist is a legend … « I awaken », is the meaning of his first name, Django. Django puts the world on the alert.

Billie Holiday, nothing but music by Dominique MauriziThe struggle of a huge singer in first half of the twentieth century America, where, in spite of the abolition of slavery, the status of the blacks is no better. Jazz, ragtime, big band, swing… All that jazz! Billie Holiday sings all of this. Slow, really slow. There is honey and bits of broken glass in her voice…

Erik Satie, music for a simple heart by Delphine Bertozzi and Marcelino TruongFrom the first piano music that he composed, Erik Satie gave us simple, profound tunes. The piano notes seem to arrive on tiptoe. All his musical creations are real « innovations » which touch the heart.

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George Gershwin,a dance step between jazz and classical musicby Pétronille Danchin and Eve GrossetFamous for his musicals played on Broadway, the astonishing musician who knew how to marry jazz and classical, George Gershwin gave to American music at the beginning of the twentieth century, a new impetus.

Joséphine Baker, the unchained dancerby Marianne Stjepanovic and Pauline Sciot A young American black girl dances all the way to Paris to escape from misery. Becoming the famous Josephine Baker, she dedicates her life to fighting against racism with her only arms of dancing, the joy of living and her generosity.

Isadora Duncan,the bare-footed Americanby Vivian Lofiego At the beginning of the 20th century, an American woman called Isadora Duncan changed dance forever. Bare-footed, draped in flowing materials, she danced all over the world. Modern dance was born.

Miriam Makeba, singing for freedomby Tanella Boni and Gopal Dagnogo How Miriam Makeba, born in the ghettos of South Africa, became an ambassador for human righs through her songs.

Jacques Brel,a life of a thousand temposby Luc Babaand Mathieu de MuizonJacques Brel wrote memorable songs. He sang like no other, underscored human stupidity, conquered the film industry, travelled extensively around the world and became a legend.

Georges Brassens,with a gentle song on his lipsby François Davidand Anastassia EliasA words and music lover, Georges Brassens wrote magnificent, demanding songs. He was also a free, modest person with a rare human quality.

viSuAl Art > > >

Lewis Carroll, the eye of the magicianby Pétronille Danchin and Dimitra Nikolopoulou A great companion of childhood, the famous author of the sparkling tales of Alice, Lewis Carroll was also a photographer. In everything, he sees the world through the eye of a magician.

Sempé, the dream drawn by Bernard Pascuito and Mathieu de MuizonIn sixty years of career, Sempé met with nothing but triumphs. His albums are all considered as works of art. So many figures having come and met up with Petit Nicolas in his enchanted world. For Sempé always drew as if he were putting his dreams onto paper.

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Ernest Pignon-Ernest, like footprints in the sandby Rémi David and Ernest Pignon-Ernest At barely twenty five years of age, Ernest Pignon-Ernest is the first artist in the world to create a work of art which is not exhibited in an Art Gallery but which is produced on walls, rocks, fences… He thus founds « street art » and leaves his mark on places and lanscapes with his poetic vision.

Hundertwasser, inventing the town by Rémi David and Pauline Sciot Painter, architect, ecologist, the Austrian artist Hundertwasser is notably known as the inventor of the «Tree Tenant ». All his life, he never stopped preserving nature and urging humankind to live in harmony with her. His architectural works are the fruit of this energy and imagination.

3 artists in the town Ernest Pignon-Ernest, Alexander Calder and Hundertwasser invented the city. These three artists of the XXth century have taken over street space and left their mark on urban places with conviction, energy, imagination and their poetic vision.

Alexander Calderor the celestial mobilesby Dominique Maurizi After creating the smallest circus in the world and designing wire figures in space, Alexander Calder invented mobiles: sculptures in motion, planets, wildlife and plants which dance in the air. The genial little handyman who, when a child, built his own personal poetic world will become the man in the red shirt, the creator of art in suspension.

Jacques Tati, the tightrope walker of the cinemaby Delphine Bertozziand Demetra NikolopoulouIn a light and lively style, Delphine Bertozzi gives a documented portrait of Jacques Tati, the famous creator of M. Hulot, which renewed the post-war burlesque cinema. A real delight for young readers.

Charlie Chaplin, the enchanter of comedy filmsby Luc Baba and Pauline Sciot A poor child in the midst of poverty in the London streets, little Charlie Chaplin will soon become the greatest comic of his time.

Georges Méliès, the magician of the cinemaby Zéno Bianuand Julia Perrin

When Georges Méliès, a famous illusionist, invented the cinema, a whole new world of magic appeared... made up of a thousand and one trick visual effects.

3 greats of the burlesque cinemaThe three-volume series on burlesque cinema is available as a set under the title “3 greats of the burlesque cinema”. This set brings together the titles on Georges Méliès, Charlie Chaplin and Jacques Tati.

cineMA > > >

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François Truffaut,the child of cinemaby Véronique v. Beau and Pauline Sciot How a little rascal in Pigalle developed his passion, when still a child, for the cinema and became one of the greatest film directors.

Buster Keaton, the mechanic of the cinemaby Hélène Deschampsand Anastassia EliasBuster Keaton is not yet four years old when he already officially takes part in his parents’ music-hall act. Later on, this unbelievable actor will produce silent films in black and white, which will be just as much explosive poems, celebrating fantasy, magic, and the fabulous.

The Marx Brothers, the indomitables of the cinémaby Hélène Deschamps and Mathieu de Muizon

Like the Lumière brothers, the Marx Brothers were real brothers. At the same time, these fabulous comic actors played imposture like no one else.

Eric Rohmer, the storyteller of the cinemaby Aïdée Caillotand Gianpaolo Pagni With his friends of the new wave, Eric Rohmer shatters the existing cinema, « the cinema of daddy ». He chooses to make films without constraint, spontaneous, full of youth. His talent as a storyteller is able to move children.

The Cinema FactoryThree cinema volumes, available as a set, is offered under the title « The Cinema Factory ». This set brings together the titles on Alfred Hitchcock, François Truffaut and Eric Rohmer.

Alfred Hitchcock, the master of the cinemaby Hélène Deschamps and Pierre-Luc GranjonBy making films of stories of crimes and murders, Hitchcock enjoys himself making us afraid, but also making us laugh, as for him laughter and fear go together. With his genius for suspense and special effects, Hitchcock deserves the name of master.

Nature, open-up!« Nature, open up! » is a very remarkable work, thanks to the collection of photographs’ quality; it explores animals and plants. « Critiques libres » website

Collection Seeds and guides[…] people whom you rarely think of presenting to children […] Seeds and guides […] relates in a very simple style the story of personalities who had an innovative eye and who are part of our universal cultural heritage […] These refreshing little books take less than half an hour to read and contain information that will also interest adults. La Vie

ChaplinThere is no doubt that this little book in the excellent Seeds and Guides collection, published by Editions À dos d’âne, will urge young generations to watch his films.Blog bouquins de poches en poches

Josephine bakerJosephine Baker, the unchained dancer, is a little book in the Seeds and Guides collection which we have already told you about here. A great collection which, each time, presents us with a man or a woman who has left their mark on history and culture. Put together as short novels, subtly illustrated, they are always fascinating reads. Thus here, we are going to know better the life of this dancer who left her mark on the France of the 1920s and whose generosity still remains famous.« lamareauxmot » website

Erik SatieDelphine Bertozzi makes our mouths water, helped by the finesse of Marcelino Truong’s illustrations, which are humoristic yet fitting in with the musician’s elegance. It’s a great success!Notes bibliographiques

Jacques BrelA lot of humanity in this new title to discover the dense, eventful life of the lover of life that was Brel. (…) The text evokes his personality well and the pertinent illustrations accompany it perfectly. This book was praised by the editorial staff. Revue des livres pour enfants n°270 BNF

Léon-Gontran DamasGopal Dagnogo, who had already illustrateda few works in this collection, has surpassed himself here with compositions (in black and white) that are sometimes plays on Negro art, Surrealismor Henri Matisse’s birds. With this work on Léon-Gontran Damas is probably offered to us the jewel of the works by the À dos d’âne publishers, who invite discovery of the men and women who have changed the world. « Critiques libres » website

Albert EinsteinAn excellent scientific work simplified for children.InterCDI. Revue des centres de Documentation et d’Information n°247

PrESS rEVIEW 2015 – SELECTION

“THE NOTEBOOKS OF WONDERS” Collection

For young readers from 11 and older, as well as for all nature lovers80 p. / 18 x 23 cm / 15e

Nature, open up!by Marilyn Plénard As a scientific journalist, Marilyn Plénard has never stopped being amazed, even with her scientific eye, by the wonders of nature. In 25 texts, she clearly unveils a few of nature’s secrets. Magnificent photographs illustrate this captivating journey.

Australia, an animal dreamby Marilyn Plénard In 25 texts with breathtaking photographs, Marylin Plénard shares her wonder at the landscapes and animals of the magic land of Australia. She helps us rediscover those animals that are most well-known but also helps us meet the most secret ones. She takes us into their shelters, their forests, like in the Aborigines’ mythical Dreamtime.

Éditions À dos d’âne – 10 rue de Valence – 75005 Paris – FranceForeign rights: Christian Vosges – vogesforeignrights@free.fr – +33 (0)6 25 20 26 92

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>>> A collection by which to be amazed that explores the wonders of nature through a scientific lens. Through 25 texts, some of nature’s secrets are unveiled and narrated as short stories. Magnificent photographs and an elegant lay-outmake the journey all the more captivating.