Books and the People Who Make Them
Stéphanie Verne, illustrated by Camille de Cussac
Prestel

This book, translated from the original French by Paul Kelly, gives child readers a look at the stages in the life of a book from the starting point when the content is a germ of an idea in the mind of the author, 

right through to when it arrives in the hands and minds of readers. 

This encompasses visiting the world of authors who create manuscripts, the editors who read those manuscripts and decide whether or not a particular book should be published. The work of the latter also includes finding new talent be that of authors or illustrators. Much of the role is collaborative and involves not only working with the author but also, copy editors, graphic designers, proof readers and sometimes others too.

In a picture book, the illustrator is as important as the author and sometimes but not always, the two collaborate closely. However, the entire story can be told though illustrations so no writer is involved.

Once a book is printed, – there are several spreads about this process – 

it’s time to involve the sales representatives, the people who visit bookshops to show them what is about to be published in the hope of getting orders, They also collect feedback from booksellers.

Clearly the delivery of a book to a bookshop isn’t the end of the story. It’s part of a book-seller’s role to unpack and shelve books, check stock and perhaps organise a special launch event or a workshop for children; and of course they need to get to know what is on their shelves in order to offer advice to customers should it be required.

Many new books are also sent out by a publisher’s press officers, usually prior to publication day, to reviewers/critics who can play a key role in the success of a particular book.
Librarians in libraries also provide a link between books and readers; two double spreads are devoted to their work and on the final spread, it’s over to the readers.

I wonder how many young readers will be aware of all these jobs. They certainly should after a close look at the quirky visuals of Camille de Cussac whose diagrams and funky scenes surround the written text.