Welcome to Gilded Snail
Co-publishing the occasional book to voice the deeply neglected through the beauty of fable and tale, poetry and non-fiction.
This is a bright & calm space
where we take the time required to transform some of life’s deepest anguish into universal stories that anyone can relate to.
It’s where your story grows wings to fly into the hearts of others whose own stories are too heavy to tell, but who long for their story to be heard.
This is where we lift the stone from your heart through the magic of narrative.
This is a bold and brave space
where courageous ways of thinking, new ways of expression find a voice.
Poetry, non-fiction, picture-books with an edge, books that encourage thinking and that face hard things fearlessly.
Coming soon . . .
The Tale of Two Trees
Publishing 15 August 2025.
Words by ANTHONY BERTINI & MARGRETE LAMOND
Illustrations by HELEN NIEUWENDIJK
Distribution PERIBO
International Rights BOLD TYPE AGENCY
A bold and thought-provoking picture book about playground bullying that addresses enduring values of sharing, forgiveness and inclusion, and also explores universal themes of social inequity, resource distribution, environmental vandalism, class division and culture.
Bertie is the new boy. His dad has spoilt him and that’s not about to change: Bertie wants shade and insists on getting what he wants. Divisions quickly appear in the playground. But Maryam and her friends are not only feisty, they’re also resilient. They may not have access to sticks and stones, but they have forgiveness, something that is foreign to Bertie, who can’t consider conciliation even when it is offered to him.
A Tale of Two Trees is suitable for ages 6+ and is sure to stimulate lively discussion.
In the works . . .
Drawn from the Heart: the science of art and the art of illustration
Publishing early 2027
Words MARGRETE LAMOND
Illustrations (b/w) MONTY LEE
Distribution PERIBO
International Rights BOLD TYPE AGENCY
There’s more to illustration than meets the eye. And there’s more to what we see than meets our conscious minds. That’s because the most vital stage of seeing happens preconsciously: this is where our brains first engage with, respond to and feel about what is in front of us.
Drawn from the Heart is based on decades of picture-book art-direction, a master’s degree in the neuroscience of visual reception and offers a revolutionary science-backed approach to the art of illustration.
Suitable for a general readership.
Backlist . . .
Story by EMILY MIR
Illustrations by HELEN NIEUWENDIJK
A powerful children’s picture book that speaks about love, grief, and remembering.
This is a deeply poignant story about celebrating a life, even though that life was brief, and is both courageous and inspiring. Told from the heart by Emily Mir, with sensitive illustrations by Helen Nieuwendijk, Gilbert's Cake is the story of Hattie, who insists on celebrating, with a cake, the birthday of the older brother she never met.
Aimed at young readers, Gilbert’s Cake is a must-have picture book for families, schools, and libraries seeking gentle, age-appropriate ways to talk about loss, grief and remembrance.
Gilbert’s Cake is the first Gilded Snail book.
Gilbert’s Cake can be ordered through your bookseller, or direct from Gilbert's Cake | Children's Picture Book | Order Now