Severn steps up eco focus for climate crisis childrens’ book

12 November 2019

Publishing

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg’s global mission to raise awareness about the world’s climate crisis has inspired millions of young people to make their own voices on the matter heard and, as such, it was only a matter of time before the teenager was immortalised in the world of children’s literature.

What was produced?

Inspired by the Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Greta and the Giants uses allegory to make this important topic accessible to young children. The book, which is written by Zoë Tucker and illustrated by Zoe Persico, sees giants threaten the beautiful forest that Greta loves, and so she sets about taking action to help the animals who live there.

Publisher Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, an imprint of The Quarto Group, required a printer with a sustainable profile for the job and found a perfect fit in Gloucester-based Severn, which strives to ensure that all of its operations are as environmentally focused as possible.

What did the job entail?

8,000 copies of the 32pp plus 4pp cover book were printed by Severn onto 100% FSC recycled 140gsm Oxygen and 250gsm GalerieArt FSC stock. Taking five days to produce, the project involved processing print ready files, with minimal pre-press required due to the high-res PDFs supplied.

The firm imaged processless Kodak plates, and alcohol-free litho printing was then carried out on its instant drying four- and five-colour Komori Lithrone G29 H-UV presses. Finishing was completed on Heidelberg folders, a Col-Tec Signature Collator and a Horizon BQ-470 perfect binder. The cover was inline matt coated and then spot UV varnished.

What challenges were overcome?

Short turnarounds are par for the course for any printer operating in the books market and Severn works for 65 publishing clients, all with “demanding schedule requirements across paperback and hardback short-run production”, so jobs of this nature cause the firm no hassle.

What was the feedback?

Laura Grandi, children’s production director at The Quarto Group, described working with Severn as “a very positive experience”.

“Their eco credentials were a key factor in choosing them to print this title for us. They’ve been very accommodating, and we’re really pleased with the quality,” she said.

Greta and the Giants will be available for purchase from 19 November and a donation of 3% of the cover price will be made to Greenpeace UK.

“We are thrilled to be producing this wonderful and worthwhile book. I am sure many people will choose to buy a copy, given the importance of the subject matter and the good causes behind it,’’ added Severn managing director Ian Smith.

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