International Rights

Keep Up, Katmai!

By: Pili Palm-Leis
Illustrated by: Barrett Hedges
  • ISBN 9781443163767, Hardcover
  • 32 Pages | Ages 3 to 8

A once-in-a-lifetime photo shoot becomes a stunning non-fiction picture book!

Keep Up, Katmai is a remarkable up-close view into an inquisitive real grizzly cub's day, with stunning photographs shot by renowned wildlife photographer Barrett Hedges.

In this unique format, photographs give an up-close view into a very important event in a grizzly cub's life — when she learns to fish for salmon with her brothers and sister. Young readers will cheer for Katmai, the smallest of the cubs, as we follow her day. The incredible collection of photos shows how wild bears eat, learn and play, as their mother protects and feeds them. The result? A beautiful introduction to this incredible, endangered species, and a wonderful story celebrating the love between parents and their children.

Back of book material includes a fascinating interview with author Pili Palm-Leis and photographer Barrett Hedges. While anyone would look at these photos and know they are special, an experienced nature photographer would immediately recognize that they also represent a unique shoot. To see a grizzly mom in the wild with four live cubs is almost unheard of. Barrett's shoot captured behaviour that is very hard to get, especially in the same frame. Thanks to his eye and deep knowledge and respect for the wildlife he photographs, young readers will witness magnificent scenes in nature that most of us would never have a chance to experience.

Rights Sold

French (N. Amer) – Éditions Scholastic

Selling Points

• Exceptionally high-quality photography.
• Up-close insight into animals in their natural, and often threatened, environments.
• An engaging story that relates to children’s own experiences of the world and fosters empathy for other species — a primary strategy for conservation.
• Bonus non-fiction material gives an insider’s view of this incredibly rare photo shoot.

Awards

  • Commended, OLA Best Bets: Honourable Mention, 2019