Two children’s books adapted from Oscar-nominated NFB animated films, ‘The Cat Came Back’ by Cordell Barker and ‘My Grandmother Ironed the King’s Shirts’ by Torill Kove, to launch inaugural publishing program.
TORONTO -- Firefly Books and the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) have announced a new partnership, making Firefly Books the official book publisher of the NFB.
In the tradition of the NFB’s creative, cinematic storytelling, Firefly will publish the National Film Board of Canada Collection, a series of animated films, documentary films, and media projects adapted for the printed page. Partnership with the NFB offers an opportunity to bring iconic Canadian productions and creators to new audiences worldwide.
The NFB has a distinguished 78-year history and has made more than 13,000 animated films, documentaries, fiction features, and interactive productions, which have won more than 5,000 awards, including 74 Academy Award nominations and 12 wins.
“Firefly has been distributing and publishing children’s books since 1980, and this is one of the best developments in our history,” says Lionel Koffler, President of Firefly Books. “We’re proud to be linked to the work of this important institution and the animators, filmmakers, and writers who have so many works and awards to their credit.”
The inaugural program commences this fall with the publication of two children’s books adapted from Oscar-nominated NFB animated films, The Cat Came Back by Cordell Barker and My Grandmother Ironed the King’s Shirts by Torill Kove. It continues with the publication of George Hunter’s Canada: Iconic Images from Canada’s Most Prolific Photographer, which is an adaptation from the photo essay Legacies 150 – George Hunter. The book will showcase the works of a pioneering photojournalist who documented Canada and its people over a long career.
“It’s tremendously exciting to see these adaptations of great NFB works. The NFB has always been about telling timeless Canadian stories, in all genres, and for people of all ages -- working with some of the country’s finest creative talents ... We look forward to partnering with Firefly to bring new and classic NFB works -- capturing the richness, uniqueness and diversity of Canada -- to new formats and ever-wider audiences,” said Claude Joli-Cœur, NFB Chairperson.
The Cat Came Back by Cordell Barker is a timeless classic loved by all ages. It was nominated for an Academy Award in 1989, and won 16 other awards.
My Grandmother Ironed the King’s Shirts by Torill Kove was nominated for an Academy Award in 2000 and went on to win 17 other awards. Torill Kove is an Oscar winner for her story The Danish Poet.
George Hunter’s Canada: Iconic Images from Canada’s Most Prolific Photographer documents the incredible 70- year career of photographer George Hunter who crossed Canada more than 100 times on his photographic expeditions.
Source: National Film Board of Canada
