Nosy Crow

Nosy Crow was founded in 2010,Horn, Caroline [http://www.thebookseller.com/news/kate-wilson-sets-childrens-publisher-nosy-crow.html "Kate Wilson sets up children's publisher, Nosy Crow"], The Bookseller, London, 22 February 2010. Retrieved on 14 March 2012. and published its first book in January 2011.{{cite web | url=http://nosycrow.com/blog/nosy-crow-publishes-it-s-first-book | title=Nosy Crow publishes its first book! | date=13 January 2011 }} In its first year of publishing, it released 23 books and 3 apps in total, and invoiced one million pounds.{{Cite web|url=http://nosycrow.com/blog/looking-back-at-2011-our-first-year-of-publishing|title = Looking back at 2011, our first year of publishing|date = 31 December 2011}} The company has a strong background in rights-selling. Wilson began her career selling rights at Faber and Faber,http://www.debretts.co.uk/people/biographies/browse/w/21311/Kate+WILSON.aspx {{Dead link|date=February 2022}} and in its first year, foreign rights to Nosy Crow titles were sold in 16 languages. By September 2014, Nosy Crow had grown to become the 16th largest children’s publisher in the UK, according to Nielsen Bookscan data,Wilson, Kate [http://nosycrow.com/blog/nosy-crow-has-won-nectar-business-s-small-business-of-the-year-award-and-karren-brady-gave-us-the-prize "Nosy Crow has won Nectar Business's Small Business of the Year award"], Nosy Crow, London, 8 September 2014. Retrieved on 18 September 2014 and by 2019, the company had grown to become the 12th largest children’s publisher in the UK.[https://nosycrow.com/blog/nosy-crow-has-been-shortlisted-for-three-2019-british-book-awards/ Nosy Crow has been shortlisted for three 2019 British Book Awards], Nosy Crow, London, 22 March 2019. Retrieved on 22 March 2019. The company has been noted on multiple occasions for its rapid growth in an industry experiencing shrinking revenue elsewhere.Cowdrey, Katherine. [http://www.thebookseller.com/news/british-book-awards-547791 "Pan Macmillan and Waterstones take top prizes at the British Book Awards"], The Bookseller, London, 8 May 2017. Retrieved on 1 August 2017.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ipg.uk.com/independent-publishing-awards/2012-4881|title = IPG Home}}

In November 2013, Nosy Crow implemented an innovative digital audio feature called 'Stories Aloud’, a free digital audio component included with Nosy Crow's paperback picture books.[https://www.thebookseller.com/news/nosy-crow-adds-audio-picture-books] Stories Aloud is an innovative approach to storytelling that blends traditional print books with modern digital technology, enhancing the reading experience for children and families and helps to make the books more accessible overall. By scanning these codes with a smartphone or tablet, readers can access professionally recorded audio versions of the stories, complete with sound effects and original music. As at 2024, Nosy Crow has expanded this feature across baby board and novelty titles.

In May 2023, Nosy Crow launched a United States company, Nosy Crow Inc.{{Cite web |last=Kate |date=2022-09-14 |title=Press Release: Nosy Crow takes flight in North America! |url=https://nosycrow.com/blog/nosy-crow-takes-flight-in-north-america/ |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=Nosy Crow |language=en-GB}}

Nosy Crow publishes publishes a wide range of commercial fiction and non-fiction books for children aged from 0 to 12 years, and is recognised for its high-quality production values and innovative approaches to storytelling.{{cite web |url=http://nosycrow.com/about/ |title=Nosy Crow: About us |website=nosycrow.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100227034759/http://nosycrow.com/about/ |archive-date=2010-02-27}} Its most successful titles to date include Escape Room,[https://nosycrow.com/product/escape-room] written by Christopher Edge, the Peekaboo series,[https://nosycrow.com/series/peekaboo] written by Camilla Reid and illustrated by Ingela P Arrhenius, the Bizzy Bear books, written by Camilla Reid and illustrated by Benji Davies,[https://nosycrow.com/series/bizzy-bear] and the Pip and Posy books, written by Camilla Reid and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, each of which have sold several million copies worldwide. The Pip and Posy books were credited with producing healthier than expected sales in the industry overall for 2011. Wilson had previously collaborated with Scheffler at Macmillan, where she published The Gruffalo and initiated the long-running collaboration between the artist and former Children's Laureate Julia Donaldson.Rustin, Susanna [https://www.theguardian.com/books/2011/mar/25/gruffalo-author-julia-donaldson-ebook "Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson tells why she vetoed ebook"], The Guardian, London, 25 March 2011. Retrieved on 14 March 2012.

Other successful titles and series include Open Very Carefully, winner of the 2014 Waterstones Children's Book Prize,[http://www.waterstones.com/blog/2014/04/waterstones-childrens-book-prize-2014-winners/ "Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2014 winners announced"], Waterstones, London, 3 April 2014. Retrieved on 6 September 2014. the My Brother is a Superhero series, written by David Solomons, which has sold in over 20 languages worldwide and been awarded the 2016 Waterstones Children's Book PrizePauli, Michelle [https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2016/mar/17/david-solomans-wins-waterstones-prize-with-superhero-story "David Solomons wins Waterstones prize with superhero story"], The Guardian, London, 17 March 2016. Retrieved on 1 August 2017. and the 2016 British Book Industry Award Children's Book of the Year Prize,Shand-Baptiste, Kuba [https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2016/may/10/my-brother-is-a-superhero-david-walliams-british-book-industry-award "My Brother is a Superhero wins best children's book award"], The Guardian, London, 10 May 2016. Retrieved on 1 August 2017. Pamela Butchart's Baby Aliens series, which has won a Blue Peter Book AwardPauli, Michelle [https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/mar/05/blue-peter-childrens-book-awards-2015 "Funny and silly books win the Blue Peter awards"], The Guardian, London, 5 March 2015. Retrieved on 1 August 2017. and a Children's Book Award,Erizanu, Paula [https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2016/may/28/pamela-butchart-my-head-teacher-is-a-vampire-rat-wins-childrens-book-award-2016 "My Headteacher is a Vampire Rat wins Children’s Book Award 2016"], The Guardian, London, 28 May 2016. Retrieved on 1 August 2017. the Felt Flaps series by Ingela P. Arrhenius, winner of the Sainsbury's Children's Book of the Year Award,Wilson, Kate [https://nosycrow.com/blog/wheres-mr-lion-has-won-the-sainsburys-childrens-book-award/ "Where’s Mr Lion has won the Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Award!"], Nosy Crow, 24 August 2017. Retrieved on 7 February 2019. There's a Bear on My Chair by Ross Collins, winner of the inaugural Amnesty CILIP Greenaway Honour in 2016Parker, Nicky [https://www.amnesty.org.uk/blogs/stories-and-rights/amnesty-cilip-honour-winners-2016 "The Amnesty CILIP Honour winners 2016"], Amnesty International, 20 June 2016. Retrieved on 1 August 2017. and a UKLA Book Award in 2017,[https://ukla.org/news/story/ukla-book-awards-2017-winners-announced "UKLA Book Awards 2017 Winners Announced"], UKLA, 30 June 2017. Retrieved on 1 August 2017. and I Am The Seed That Grew The Tree: A Nature Poem For Every Day Of The Year, winner of the inaugural Waterstones Children’s Gift of the Year Award in 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://nosycrow.com/blog/i-am-the-seed-that-grew-the-tree-is-the-waterstones-childrens-gift-of-the-year/|title = I Am the Seed That Grew the Tree is the Waterstones Children's Gift of the Year|date = 29 November 2018}} Additional successful series include Zoe’s Rescue Zoo by Amelia Cobb and Sophy Williams,[https://nosycrow.com/series/zoes-rescue-zoo] Sing Along with Me! by Yu-hsuan Huang,[https://nosycrow.com/series/sing-along-with-me] and Unicorn Academy: Where Magic Happens[https://nosycrow.com/series/unicorn-academy-where-magic-happens] by Julie Sykes & Lucy Truman

Nosy Crow was particularly notable for its original apps for the iOS platform.,Thomson, Liz [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/shelf-life-in-hard-times-the-book-folk-who-wrote-glorious-chapters-in-2011-6280574.html "Shelf life in hard times: The book folk who wrote glorious chapters in 2011"], The Independent, London, 23 December 2011. Retrieved on 14 March 2012. which it developed in-house. Between 2011 and 2018, Nosy Crow released over 25 apps, which won numerous awards and received critical acclaim, earning the company recognition as a leader in the field. In April 2018, the company announced that it would cease its in-house app development programme and close its app department, citing the challenging commercial environment for children's reading apps.Eyre, Charlotte [https://www.thebookseller.com/news/nosy-crow-closes-house-app-department-776276 "Nosy Crow closes app department, makes three redundant"], The Bookseller, London, 26 April 2018. Retrieved on 27 April 2018.

Nosy Crow has become well known for its partnerships,Flood, Alison. [https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/nov/28/john-lewis-snowman-children-book "John Lewis snowman remodelled as children's book"], The Guardian, London, 28 November 2012. Retrieved on 1 August 2017. with international publishers,Neill, Graeme. [http://www.thebookseller.com/news/nosy-crow-signs-us-candlewick-press.html "Nosy Crow signs with US' Candlewick Press"], The Bookseller, London, 11 March 2011. Retrieved on 14 March 2012. charities,Eyre, Charlotte. [http://www.thebookseller.com/news/unicef-distribute-free-board-books-scotland "Unicef to distribute free board books in Scotland"], The Bookseller, London, 17 July 2014. Retrieved on 1 August 2017. and other organisations. In North America, many of the company's illustrated book titles were published under an imprint of the same name by Candlewick Press, and in Australia, Nosy Crow books are distributed by Allen & Unwin.{{Cite web|url=http://nosycrow.com/blog/round-the-world-in-11-days|title=Round the world in 11 days|date=29 November 2010}} In November 2012, the company made headlines by creating an instant picture book edition of the John Lewis Christmas television advert, in partnership with John Lewis. The company has since produced picture book editions of several further John Lewis Christmas television adverts, in 2013,Bonnick, Tom [http://nosycrow.com/news-and-reviews/nosy-crow-partners-with-john-lewis-to-create-a-picture-book-of-the-john-lewis-christmas-television-advert-the-bear-and-the-hare/ "Nosy Crow partners with John Lewis to create a picture book of the John Lewis Christmas television advert, The Bear and the Hare"], Nosy Crow, London, 15 November 2013. Retrieved on 1 August 2017. 2014,Eyre, Charlotte [http://www.thebookseller.com/news/nosy-crow-publish-new-john-lewis-ad-book "Nosy Crow publishes third John Lewis ad book"], The Bookseller, London, 26 March 2014. Retrieved on 1 August 2017. 2016Onwuemezi, Natasha [http://www.thebookseller.com/news/nosy-crow-publishes-picture-book-based-john-lewis-christmas-ad-429711 "Nosy Crow publishes Buster's Christmas with John Lewis"], The Bookseller, London, 10 November 2016. Retrieved on 1 August 2017. and 2017.Cowdrey, Katherine [https://www.thebookseller.com/news/nosy-crow-partners-john-lewis-fifth-christmas-ad-book-671311 "Nosy Crow partners with John Lewis on fifth Christmas ad book"], The Bookseller, London, 10 November 2017. Retrieved on 10 January 2018. In September 2014, the company announcedWilson, Kate [http://nosycrow.com/blog/nosy-crow-will-partner-the-national-trust-to-create-a-children-s-book-list/ "Nosy Crow will partner with the National Trust to create a children’s book list"], Nosy Crow, London, 18 September 2014. Retrieved on 21 October 2015. a partnership with The National Trust, to publish a jointly-branded children's book list, and in October 2015, Nosy Crow announcedWilson, Kate [http://nosycrow.com/blog/nosy-crow-partners-with-the-british-museum// "Nosy Crow partners with the British Museum"], Nosy Crow, London, 7 October 2015. Retrieved on 21 October 2015. a second partnership with The British Museum for another jointly-branded children's book list. In June 2023, Nosy Crow announced{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Lisa |date=2023-06-05 |title=STE(A)Ming Ahead! Nosy Crow and the University of Cambridge |url=https://nosycrow.com/blog/steaming-ahead-nosy-crow-and-the-university-of-cambridge/ |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=Nosy Crow |language=en-GB}} their third partnership with Cambridge University for another jointly-branded children's book list.

Since being established, Nosy Crow has won a number of awards, both for its books and apps, and as a company. These include:

• British Book Awards: Children's Publisher of the Year 2025,[https://www.thebookseller.com/british-book-awards-content/childrens-publisher-of-the-year] Independent Publisher of the Year 2020, Children's Publisher of the Year 2019,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.thebookseller.com/news/penguin-general-crowned-publisher-year-1006736 |title=Penguin General and W H Smith Travel crowned in BBA trade awards|first=Heloise|last=Wood|magazine=The Bookseller|location= London|date=13 May 2019|access-date= 14 May 2019}} Children's Publisher of the Year 2017
• IPG Independent Publishing Awards: Publiship International Award 2025,[https://www.independentpublishersguild.com/IPG/IPG/Events/IPA/Independent_Publishing_Awards.aspx] Clays Children’s Publisher of the Year 2023;{{Cite web |title=2023 Winners |url=https://www.independentpublishersguild.com/IPG/IPG/Events/IPA/2023-Winners.aspx |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=www.independentpublishersguild.com |language=en}} Zebralution Audio Award 2022;{{Cite web |title=2022 winners |url=https://www.independentpublishersguild.com/IPG/IPG/Events/IPA/2022-winners.aspx |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=www.independentpublishersguild.com |language=en}} Marketing Award 2019;Wilson, Kate [https://nosycrow.com/blog/nosy-crow-has-won-the-2019-independent-publishers-guild-marketing-award/ "Nosy Crow has won the 2019 Independent Publishers Guild Marketing Award"], Nosy Crow, London, 3 May 2019. Retrieved on 7 May 2019. International Achievement Award 2018;Cowdrey, Katherine [https://www.thebookseller.com/news/maths-no-problem-scoops-independent-publisher-year-747216 "Maths - No Problem! scoops IPG's Independent Publisher of the Year"], The Bookseller, London, 08 March 2018. Retrieved on 19 March 2018. Children’s Publisher of the Year 2017;{{Cite web |url=http://www.ipg.uk.com/independent-publishing-awards |title=IPG | Independent Publishing Awards |access-date=1 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603034650/http://www.ipg.uk.com/independent-publishing-awards |archive-date=3 June 2019 |url-status=dead }} Independent Publisher of the Year, Children's Publisher of the Year 2016;{{Cite web|url=http://www.ipg.uk.com/independent-publishing-awards/awards-2016|title=IPG Home}} Digital Marketing Award, Young Independent Publisher of the Year 2015;{{Cite web|url=http://www.ipg.uk.com/independent-publishing-awards/2015-4878|title = IPG Home}} Digital Marketing Award, International Achievement of the Year 2014;{{Cite web|url=http://www.ipg.uk.com/independent-publishing-awards/2014-4879|title = IPG Home}} Children's Publisher of the Year, International Achievement of the Year 2013;{{Cite web|url=http://www.ipg.uk.com/independent-publishing-awards/2013-4880|title = IPG Home}} Newcomer of the Year, Children's Publisher of the Year, Innovation of the Year 2012
• Queen's Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2018Bonnick, Tom [https://nosycrow.com/blog/nosy-crow-wins-queens-award-for-enterprise-international-trade/ "Nosy Crow wins Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade"], Nosy Crow, London, 21 April 2018. Retrieved on 27 April 2018.
• Stationers’ Company Innovation Excellence Award - June 2014[http://communicationsawards.org/categories-criteria "Stationers’ Innovation Excellence Awards 2014"], Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers, London, 30 June 2014. Retrieved on 6 September 2014.
• Nectar Small Business Award: Small Business of the Year - September 2014Carpenter, Caroline [http://www.thebookseller.com/news/nosy-crow-wins-nectar-business-award.html "Nosy Crow wins Nectar business award"], The Bookseller, London, 4 September 2014.
• Growing Business Award: Young Company of the Year - November 2014Ruthven, Hunter [http://realbusiness.co.uk/article/28515-xtracs-peter-digby-roars-to-success-at-the-growing-business-awards "Xtrac's Peter Digby roars to success at the Growing Business Awards"], Real Business, London, 25 November 2014. Retrieved on 26 November 2014.
• Mumpreneur Award: Inspirational Business Mum (Kate Wilson) - October 2011{{Cite web |url=http://www.mumpreneuruk.com/celebrate/mumpreneur-awards/2011-winners |title=Archived copy |access-date=14 March 2012 |archive-date=19 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319130127/http://www.mumpreneuruk.com/celebrate/mumpreneur-awards/2011-winners |url-status=dead }}

• Waterstones Children's Gift of the Year (I Am The Seed That Grew The Tree: A Nature Poem For Every Day Of The Year) - November 2018
• Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Award: Children’s Book of the Year (Where's Mr Lion?) - August 2017
• UKLA Book Award: 3 to 6 Category (There's a Bear on My Chair) - June 2017
• Tir Na n-Og Award: Best English language children's book (Sweet Pizza) - June 2017[http://www.cllc.org.uk/gwasanaethau-services/plant-children/gwobrau-prizes/rhestr-list "Tir na n-Og awards Past Winners"], Welsh Books Council, 1 June 2017. Retrieved on 1 August 2017.
• Amnesty CILIP Greenaway Honour (There's a Bear on My Chair) - June 2016
• Children's Book Award: Overall Winner (My Headteacher is a Vampire Rat) - May 2016
• British Book Industry Award: Children's Book of the Year (My Brother is a Superhero) - May 2016
• Waterstones Children's Book Prize: Overall Winner (My Brother is a Superhero) - March 2016
• Tir Na n-Og Award: Best English language children's book (Cow Girl) - May 2015
• Blue Peter Book Award: Best Story (The Spy Who Loved School Dinners) - March 2015
• Waterstones Children's Book Prize: Picture Book Category Winner (Open Very Carefully) - April 2014

• FutureBook Awards: Best Children’s Digital Book (Goldilocks and Little Bear) - December 2016;[http://www.thebookseller.com/news/sara-lloyd-prh-and-bloomsbury-claim-futurebook-award-gongs-441186 "Sara Lloyd, PRH and Bloomsbury claim FutureBook Award gongs"], The Bookseller, 2 December 2016. Retrieved on 1 August 2017. Best Children’s Digital Book (Snow White) - December 2015;[http://www.thebookseller.com/news/harpercollins-scoops-two-futurebook-awards-317898 "HarperCollins scoops two at FutureBook Awards"], The Bookseller, 4 December 2015. Retrieved on 1 August 2017. Best Children's Fiction Digital Book (Jack and the Beanstalk), Most Inspiring Digital Publishing Person (Kate Wilson) - November 2014;[http://www.thebookseller.com/news/nosy-crow-profile-and-prh-among-futurebooks-innovation-winners "Nosy Crow, Profile and PRH among FutureBook's innovation winners"], The Bookseller, London, 14 November 2014. Retrieved on 17 November 2014. Best Children's Digital Book (Rounds: Parker Penguin) - November 2013;[http://www.thebookseller.com/news/touch-press-leads-winners-futurebook-innovation-awards.html "Touch Press leads winners at FutureBook Innovation Awards"], The Bookseller, London, 22 November 2013. Retrieved on 6 September 2014. Best Children's App (Cinderella) - December 2011Jones, Philip. [http://futurebook.net/content/futurebook-innovation-awards-winners "FutureBook Innovation Awards: the winners"], The Bookseller, London, 6 December 2011. Retrieved on 14 March 2012.
• UKLA Digital Book Awards: Digital Book Award (Goldilocks and Little Bear) - June 2016;[https://ukla.org/news/story/goldilocks-and-little-bear-app-by-nosy-crow-wins-ukla-digital-book-award-16 "Goldilocks and Little Bear app by Nosy Crow wins UKLA Digital Book Award 2016"], UKLA, 15 June 2016. Retrieved on 1 August 2017. Digital Book Award (Axel Scheffler’s Flip Flap Safari) - July 2015[https://ukla.org/news/story/axel_schefflers_flip_flap_safari_app_by_nosy_crow_wins_the_ukla_best_digita "Axel Scheffler’s Flip Flap Safari app by Nosy Crow wins the UKLA Best Digital Book Award 2015"], UKLA, 8 July 2015. Retrieved on 1 August 2017.
• Booktrust Best Book Award: Best Tech (Little Red Riding Hood) - July 2014[http://www.booktrust.org.uk/news-and-blogs/news/301/ "Booktrust Best Book Awards: Winners announced!"], Booktrust, London, 2 July 2014. Retrieved on 6 September 2014.
• Publishing Innovation Award: App — Juvenile (Cinderella) - January 2012[http://www.publishinginnovationawards.com/dbw-blog/winners-of-the-publishing-innovation-awards "2012 Winners of the Publishing Innovation Awards"], Publishing Innovation Award. Retrieved on 14 March 2012.
• KAPi Award: Children's Book App or eBook (Cinderella) - January 2012Buckleitner, Warren. [http://childrenstech.com/blog/archives/5809#more-5809 "Third Annual KAPi Award Winners Announced"], Children's Technology Review, New Jersey, 8 December 2011. Retrieved on 14 March 2012.
• iLounge Award: iPad Kid's App of the Year (Cinderella) - November 2011{{cite web | url=http://nosycrow.com/blog/nosy-crow-wins-ipad-kids-app-of-the-year-from-ilounge | title=Nosy Crow wins iPad Kids App of the Year from iLounge | date=2 November 2011 }}

{{Portal|Children's literature}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [https://nosycrow.com/ Official website]

Category:2010 establishments in England

Category:Children's book publishers