Kiwi publisher brings Brazilian children’s classic to New Zealand

Rio de Janeiro author Diego Albuquerque lands in New Zealand on Monday 16 June to promote the English translation of his classic book Branquinho, O Dognauta by Auckland publisher Peter Dowling

Diego Albuquerque

As the World Cup focuses attention on Brazil, Auckland-based Libro International is celebrating the vibrant culture and writing of the great South American nation.

Published today, Snowy the Doganaut is the first English edition of a classic children’s book, written as a boy by Rio de Janeiro author Diego Albuquerque.

Peter Dowling    

Peter Dowling, who learned Portuguese in northeastern Brazil in 1990,translated the work after signing English rights from Rio-based publisher Gisela Zincone at last year’s Frankfurt Book Fair.

“New Zealanders and Brazilians share a sense of tolerance and openness,” he said. “Diego’s hilarious book shows young readers about accepting difference in others through the story of a strange dog from Pluto who comes to Rio in a UFO.                                                                                                            

“This bestselling book can showcase a little of Brazil’s rich culture, beyond the fabulous soccer and samba that will be on our TV screens for the next month."                                                                                                                                                              
Diego Albuquerque will be appearing at public events and in schools in Auckland, Wellington and the Waikato during his one-week visit.                                                        

Snowy the Doganaut will be officially launched at the Embassy of Brazil in Wellington on 19 June.

Snowy the Doganaut Diego Albuquerque Illustrated by Felipe Vellozo Translated by Peter Dowling

ISBN: 978-1-877514-62-3  |  32 pages, colour  |  RRP $19.99

To arrange any media coverage in English or Portuguese, contact:

Peter Dowling - 027 614 8993   peter@oratiamedia.com

Libro International, a division of Oratia Media

www.librointernational.com   |    www.oratiamedia.com

Snowy the Doganaut author to visit NZ in June

Snowy the Doganaut

Diego Albuquerque

Brazilian children’s book author and editor Diego Albuquerque is to visit New Zealand from 16 – 22 June to promote his book Snowy the Doganaut.

The book is an established bestseller of Brazilian children’s literature, and has been translated into English for the first time by Peter Dowling, the Auckland-based publisher of Libro International.

It tells the fun story of a strange dog who comes from outer space to challenge people’s view of coping with difference. It goes on sale on 12 June, the day the soccer World Cup kicks off in Brazil.

The Embassy of Brazil will host an official launch for the book in Wellington on Thursday 19 June, and further children’s events are planned in the capital, Auckland and the Waikato.

Diego speaks good English, and will be available for media and school appearances during his visit.

The author:

Diego Albuquerque is an author, editor and screenwriter who lives in Rio de Janeiro. He became Brazil’s youngest published author when this book was released in 1982.

Release Date: 12 June 2014  |  ISBN: 978-1-877514-62-3  | RRP $19.99

Paperback, 200 x 200 mm, 32 pages, full colour

To arrange an interview, images, extracts or a review copy, contact:

Peter Dowling - 027 614 8993   peter@oratiamedia.com

Libro International, a division of Oratia Media

www.librointernational.com   |    www.oratiamedia.com

Libro International buys rights to Brazilian children’s classic

English edition of Branquinho, O Dognauta to be published in 2014. 

Libro International will publish the first English edition of Branquinho, O Dognauta, a classic of Brazilian children’s literature, in mid-2014.

Independent publisher Gryphus Editora of Rio de Janeiro agreed the rights deal this August with Oratia Media, the publisher of Libro International books.

Diego d’Alberqueque’s story tells of an amazing white dog who comes to Earth in a flying saucer. This alien canine has ears where he should have eyes, and eyes in the back of his head – but he wins the love of a young boy. Here the adventure begins …

First published in 1982, Branquinho, O Dognauta has remained in print and sold tens of thousands of copies in Brazil. Gryphus publisher Gisela Zincone issued the sixth edition in 2011, with illustrations by Felipe Vellozo.

“Diego wrote this book when he was eight,” Zincone said. “Almost 30 years after, the book remains fresh and contemporary. It tells a beautiful story about accepting differences while it makes us think about the impact of science and technology in our lives.”

The book will be on the New Zealand stand at the Frankfurt Book Fair from 9–13 October.

“Last year New Zealand was country of honour at Frankfurt, this year’s it’s Brazil’s turn,” commented Peter Dowling of Oratia Media.“We’ll use this platform to promote Branquinho and develop more projects between New Zealand and Brazilian authors and publishers.”

Dowling, who speaks Brazilian Portuguese, will oversee the translation – with the confirmed English title to be revealed at the Frankfurt Book Fair.

Branquinho, O Dognauta           

Diego D’Albuquerque, illustrated by Felipe Vellozo; translated by Peter Dowling

ISBN: 978-1-877514-62-3                  NZ$16.99 / 200 x 200 mm/ PB / 24 pp / colour

For further information, contact:

Isabell Zitzelsberger  022 156 7470   isabell@oratiamedia.com

Libro International, a division of Oratia Media

www.librointernational.com   |    www.oratiamedia.com