Born in 1994, Marie Boisson is a talented illustrator and author, graduated from the Strasbourg School of Decorative Arts in 2019, where she obtained her diploma with congratulations from the jury. In 2022, she made her debut in children's publishing with the publication of her first album, La Visit, with Éditions du Rouergue. In addition to her book projects, Marie Boisson also contributes to various magazines as an illustrator. She varies her artistic techniques by exploring comics, painting and micro-publishing projects.
In the winning work, Bianca, who has lived with her aunt Clémentine and her cousin Julien since the mysterious disappearance of her parents, is exasperated by the lack of answers to her questions. Driven by frustration, she decides to run away to find her parents. A clue, an address written on a post-it, leads her to the Forest of Lost Parents. There, instead of finding his parents, he is suggested to visit the Office of Resolved Problems and the Office of Solved Cases.
During her quest, Bianca faces multiple trials and encounters a gallery of extravagant characters. In her work Bianca and the Forest of Lost Parents, Marie Boisson addresses sensitive subjects such as disappearance, incomprehension and loneliness with finesse and humor. This fantastic story, rich in poetry, is part of the tradition of initiatory adventures such as The Little Prince, Spirited Away and Alice in Wonderland, thus offering a moving and imaginary journey to its readers.
Each year, the Pépites highlight a wide diversity of talents in the world of publishing. Their rigorous selection encompasses a variety of publishers, from small to large, specialist or general, and covers different genres of children's literature, including novels, albums, theater, poetry, comics and fully illustrated books.
This initiative celebrates 14 male and female authors, whether well established or at the start of their careers, all published by 20 different publishing houses, thus underlining the Pépites' commitment to promoting plurality and excellence in literature for young readers.
In the Nugget Illustrated Book category, this year's nominees included A scramble by Karen Hottois and Vincent Pianina at Albin Michel Jeunesse, Cinema Paradise by Julien Magnani at Magnani Éditions, JeanJambe and the Mystery of the Deep by Matthias Picard at 2024 Éditions, Evening fears by Laurie Agusti at La Parti, and Centuries and centuries by Christophe Honoré and Gwen Le Gac at Thierry Magnier Éditions.
In Pépite fiction juniors, the books selected were Alexander on the waves by Vincent Cuvellier and illustrated by Guillaume Bianco at Little Urban, Yaran's Challenge by Estelle Faye at Rageot, Hamsters don't exist by Antonio Carmona at Éditions Théâtrales Young, Mori by Marie Colot and Noémie Marsily at CotCotCot Éditions, and Nour and Balthazar by Frédéric Sounac at La Joie de lire.
La Pépite comic strip included titles such as Bianca and the Forest of Lost Parents by Marie Boisson at Misma, Hey Djo! by Marzena Sowa and Geoffrey Delinte at Gallimard Bande Dessinée, The Kingdoms of Tiketone, volume 1: The Hallows of the Living Dead by Mélissa Morin at Casterman, The Betrayal of Olympe book 1/2 by Jean Dalin at Sarbacane, and Nana and Nini's Vacation by Margot Farnoux at Biscoto.
For teenagers, the Teen Fiction Nugget included The one who remains by Rachel Corenblit illustrated by Régis Lejonc at NathanThe Wild Dance of Harmonie Stark by Sigrid Baffert and Jean-Michel Payet at the leisure school, In the crosshairs of Sébastien Gendron at Pocket Jeunesse, The red earth has drunk blood by Jean-François Chabas at Courtes Et Longues Éditions, and Nothing to do, we get stuck by Édith Azam and Pauline Barzilaï at Le port a jauni.
The Show also offers highlights around these selections. On Sunday December 1st at 3 p.m. on the stage above, the presentation of the Nuggets will be held in the presence of the juries, partners and winners. Followed at 3:50 p.m. by an interview with Marie Boisson by Julien Bisson, representing the 1st bookseller.
On Monday, December 2 at 5:15 p.m., a Literary Café will be organized on Salon Télé, in the company of the authors of the selection of Pépites fiction ados, with the support of the Culture Pass. Please note that, although entry to the Show is free, it is necessary to download a ticket online to present at the entrance.
By Hocine Bouhadjera
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