Muireann / Molly / Mali

Graffeg signs up to six new picture books from Malachy Doyle and Andrew Whitson.

Welsh independent Graffeg Books have signed up to six picture books by award-winning author and illustrator team, Malachy Doyle and Andrew Whitson, with World rights bought from James Catchpole.

The picture books are new adventures in the Molly series, which launched with Molly and the Stormy Sea in June 2018. llustrated by Irish artist (and publisher) Andrew Whitson and joint published in English, Welsh (Mali a’r Mor Stormus) and Irish (Muireann agus an Fharraige Fhiáin, published by An tSnáthaid Mhór, ), it met with wide success. 

The English edition was the Welsh Books Council Book of the Month in June 2018. The Western Mail said  ‘'A treat for children and the adults who share it with them, [Molly and the Stormy Sea] shows writer Malachy Doyle and illustrator Andrew Whitson at their very best' by the Western Mail. Sarah Webb, in the Irish Independent said,  'Together they have produced a picture book full of emotion and atmosphere.' 

In Molly and the Stormy Sea, Molly wakes one morning to find her house empty. Her father has been out fishing in stormy seas and hasn’t returned from his trip. Molly takes her most precious possessions down to the harbour: a brass locket containing twenty little cowrie shells, a photograph of her father and her beloved doll, Megan, to offer the sea in return for her father’s safety. But will the stormy sea return her father and all the other fathers from the fishing trip?

The next books in the Molly series will further explore the small island and the fishing community where she and her  family and friends live.  Molly and the Whale,  is scheduled for more co-edition publications with An tSnáthaid Mhór handling the Irish Language version.

Malachy Doyle said:  I live on a tiny island off the coast of Donegal (my postal address is simply Malachy Doyle, Cruit island), and I’m really enjoying immersing myself in the world of Molly and her family and friends.  Andrew and Graffeg did a wonderful job with the first story, and I’m immensely pleased that it’s developing into a series.    

Andrew Whitson said: From the moment that Malachy presented me with the text for “Molly and the Stormy Sea”, I became immediately emotionally attached to this little girl with her generosity, perseverance and infinite optimism. I have always been a big fan of Malachy’s writing and feel privileged to be involved with a team which is going to realise this exciting new venture.