Claire LEbourg
After studying at the School of Decorative Arts in Strasbourg, Claire Lebourg now lives and works in Rennes. Since then, she has published several picture books and an early reading series. In addition to her work as an author-illustrator, she creates maps and posters and organizes talks and workshops for children and adults.
Claire Lebourg
Translated from the French by Sophie Lewis
Finalist for the 2026 Prix Albertine Jeunesse
“An unmitigated delight.”—The New York Times
What exactly is a piece of art meant to capture? And how do we find the courage to believe in our work?
It’s the week of her gallery opening and none of Paty’s paintings are ready. She asks her friends to pose in her studio, and the outcome is . . . just dreadful. After seeing the way Paty has portrayed them, one after the other, they leave in a huff. Paty wonders whether she should cancel the whole thing. Fortunately, Michou, the gallery owner, forbids it. And Paty is in for a surprise on opening day . . .
What exactly is a piece of art meant to capture? How do we find the courage to believe in our work? Claire Lebourg’s watercolor illustrations convey all the worry and self-doubt that comes with any creative practice and show us that maybe the secret lies in believing in yourself.
Ages 3+ | Hardcover | 40 pages | ISBN: 9781945492785
February 13, 2024
Claire Lebourg
Translated from the French by Sophie Lewis
In the follow-up to A Day with Mousse (a New York Times Best Book of the Year), Mousse and Barnacle go on a trip to the beach, where the addition of a new friend makes Mousse jealous.
Mousse wakes up to a clap of thunder and pouring rain. When he goes out to the beach to collect the day’s treasures, he doesn’t find anything—or anyone. Where has everyone gone? “They’ve all gone south,” a sea creature calls out.
So Mousse heads south. Surrounded by velvety sand and colorful shells, he invites his friend Barnacle to join him. They relax on the beach, take a mud bath and a dip. Everything about the trip is going as planned, until Felix starts tagging along…
Ages 5+ | Hardcover | 72 pages | ISBN: 9798893380057
June 10, 2025
Claire Lebourg
Translated from the French by Sophie Lewis
A New York Times Best Book of the Year
In a new series for early readers, Mousse receives an unexpected visit—and forms an unlikely friendship.
Mousse loves his solitary life by the sea. In the mornings, he strolls on the beach to take in the fresh air. He swims in the cool water. And he waits for the tide to bring him the day’s small treasures. Today, however, a visitor comes ashore in his living room, a truly unexpected visitor. A creature named Barnacle...
In this delightfully illustrated picture book for early readers, Claire Lebourg depicts the unexpected pleasures in helping others and finding friendship in unexpected places.
Ages 5+ | Hardcover | 88 pages | ISBN: 9798893389067
October 8, 2024
Claire Lebourg
Translated from the French by Sophie Lewis
In this charmingly illustrated book by one of France’s rising stars, a mother bird recalls the arrival of her new baby and the months that follow.
The day you were born was a sunny day . . . like this.
I hugged you in my arms and our life together began . . . like this.
A mother bird recalls the arrival of her new baby and the months that follow. She is an artist, and sits before a blank sketchbook, brushes at the ready. What was it like the first time she held her baby in her arms? What did it feel like when they were apart? And when they flew off together in her dreams? It was like this . . . and like this . . . and like this . . . With warmth and tenderness, across a minimal palette of watercolor and ink, Claire Lebourg depicts the joys, worries, and wonders of the early days of parenthood.
Ages 3+ | Hardcover | 40 pages | ISBN: 9798893389029
November 12, 2024