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• About Brian Selznick
• Big Tree
• Kaleidoscope
• The Invention of Hugo Cabret
• Wonderstruck
• The Marvels
• Hugo Movie Companion
• Baby Monkey, Private Eye

About Brian Selznick

  

(Photo Credit: Brittany Cruz-Fejeran)

Brian Selznick is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and acclaimed illustrator whose books have sold millions of copies, garnered countless awards worldwide, and been translated into more than 35 languages. His novel, Big Tree (April 4, 2023 worldwide publication), which began as an original idea from film legend Steven Spielberg, is a trailblazing adventure with nearly 300 pages of illustrations. Selznick broke open the novel form with his innovative and genre-defying thematic trilogy, beginning with the Caldecott Medal-winning and bestselling book The Invention of Hugo Cabret, adapted into Martin Scorsese's Academy Award-winning movie Hugo. He followed that with the #1 New York Times bestseller, Wonderstruck, adapted into the eponymous movie by celebrated filmmaker Todd Haynes, with a screenplay by Selznick, and the New York Times bestseller, The Marvels.

Selznick’s two most recent books for young people, Baby Monkey, Private Eye, co-written with his husband David Serlin, and Kaleidoscope, a New York Times Notable Children’s Book of 2021, were both New York Times bestsellers. He also illustrated the 20th anniversary edition covers of the Harry Potter series. In praising his body of work, The Washington Post said, "Brian Selznick proves to be that rare creator capable of following one masterpiece with another." The Associated Press called Selznick "one of publishing's most imaginative storytellers." His recent collaborations include a reimagined Nutcracker at the Joffrey Ballet with Christopher Wheeldon and a screenplay of the forthcoming animated version of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby with William Joyce as director.

 

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Big Tree

Advance Praise for Big Tree

"The tale of the natural world is the greatest story we have to tell, and Brian delivers a brilliant chapter of that tale throughout the pages of Big Tree." — STEVEN SPIELBERG

"Brian Selznick is a singular talent. Big Tree grips you from start to finish and resonates emotionally long after you have finished reading."— CHRIS MELEDANDRI, founder, Illumination

“A labor of love—no, of passion—for the world and all the life it supports, Brian Selznick's Big Tree spreads its storytelling canopy to cover all of us. We're implicated, we're honored, we're family.” — Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked

“An enthralling and expansive meditation on what it means to be alive on this planet.” –Booklist, starred review

“A balanced and rich book... Powerful.” –The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred and recommended review

“In evocative prose and peppery dialogue... the cinematic story journeys across time and space, contemplating the power of life to heal.” –Publishers Weekly, starred review

 "A special, one-of-a-kind book for the whole family that readers won’t soon forget.” –School Library Journal, starred review

“I cannot imagine another book more needed than Big Tree to help us save our planet.” — Becky Anderson, Anderson's Bookshops

Downloads & Links

• Big Tree Website
• Big Tree Flat Cover
• Big Tree 3D Cover
• Brian Selznick Headshot
• Brian Selznick Headshot
• Big Tree Announcement - Press Release 
• Associated Press Exclusively Announced Big Tree by Brian Selznick 
• Entertainment Weekly Exclusively Revealed the cover and an early sneak peak of Big Tree
• Academy Award-Winning Actress Meryl Streep to Narrate "Big Tree" Audibook

Interior Images

       

 Credit: Artwork by Brian Selznick © 2023 Universal Studios.

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Kaleidoscope

Praise for Kaleidoscope

“Selznick has built dazzling worlds into which readers can momentarily drop. Yet with all the adventures that unfold, the emotions underlying the tales are what elevate them” — Booklist, starred review

“Selznick examines the unique realities surrounding love and death...Each [chapter] is introduced by an exquisite, graphite illustration that is preceded by a symmetrical, kaleidoscopic version of the scene...While Selznick trusts readers to draw their own conclusions about what is true, he offers rich companionship on the voyage.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“A brilliant example of the power of words and pictures, of storytelling itself.” — New York Journal of Books

Downloads & Links

• Kaleidoscope Website
• Kaleidoscope Flat Book Cover
• Kaleidoscope 3D Cover
• Kaleidoscope Audiobook Cover
• Kaleidoscope Press Release

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The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Awards & Distinctions

• 2008 Randolph Caldecott Medal
• National Book Award Finalist
• #1 New York Times Bestseller
• USA Today Bestseller
• #1 BookSense Bestseller
• A New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 2007
• A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2007
• A Kirkus Best Book of 2007
• A New York Public Library Best Book for Reading and Sharing
• An American Library Association Notable Children’s Book
• An American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults

Praise for The Invention of Hugo Cabret

“It’s wonderful. Take that overused word literally: ‘Hugo Cabret’ evokes wonder.” — New York Times Book Review

“A fast-paced treat for tweens.” — People Magazine

“Distinctive.” — The Wall Street Journal

“Cinematic.” — Parenting Magazine

“Captivating.” — Los Angeles Times Book Review

“If your kid loves the J.K. Rowling series, then he's bound to enjoy The Invention of Hugo Cabret...” — Good Housekeeping

“A true masterpiece.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Fade to black and cue the applause!” — Kirkus, starred review

“Complete genius.” — The Horn Book Magazine, starred review

“Breathtaking.” — School Library Journal, starred review

“An original and creative integration of art and text.” — The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, starred review

Media Coverage Highlights

• CBS Sunday Morning interviews director Martin Scorsese about "Hugo" and author Brian Selznick about the art of automatons (January 29, 2012)
• New York Times feature story on the Maillardet automaton at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, the inspiration for the automaton featured in The Invention of Hugo Cabret (December 26, 2011) Link to Print Version
• Brian Selznick talks about how the "Hugo" movie compares to The Invention of Hugo Cabret in The New York Post (November 25, 2011)
• Author Brian Selznick and Director Martin Scorsese discuss the "Hugo" movie on NPR's All Things Considered (November 18, 2011)
• "Scorsese Eyes Hugo for Next Project" in Variety (Jan 21, 2010)
• "Reads Like a Book, Looks Like a Film" in the New York Times (January 26, 2008)
• Brian Selznick interviewed for "Al Roker's Book Club for Kids" NBC's Today Show (May 18, 2007)
• "There's a film behind his 'Invention'" in USA Today (March 13, 2007)
• The Invention of Hugo Cabret in The New York Times Book Review (March 11, 2007)
• Discussion of the upcoming film adaptation in Variety (February 22, 2007)
• Author Profile of Brian Selznick in Publishers Weekly (February 19, 2007)
• Brian Selznick on NPR's All Things Considered (February 9, 2007)

About The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo's dead father form the backbone of this intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery. With 284 pages of original drawings, and combining elements of picture book, graphic novel, and film, Brian Selznick breaks open the novel form to create an entirely new reading experience. Here is a stunning, cinematic tour de force from a boldly innovative storyteller, artist, and bookmaker.

Downloads

• The Invention of Hugo Cabret Cover
• Interior Image (Train Station) (Illustration from The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Copyright 2007 by Brian Selznick. Used with permission from Scholastic Press.)

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Wonderstruck

Awards & Distinctions

• #1 New York Times Bestseller
• USA Today Bestseller
• A New York Times Notable Book
• A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2011
• A Booklist Editors' Choice of 2011
• A Kirkus Best Children's Book of 2011
• A School Library Journal Best Book of 2011
• An ALA Notable Children's Book
• Schneider Family Book Award Winner

Praise for Wonderstruck

“Engrossing, intelligent, beautifully engineered and expertly told in word and image.” — The New York Times Book Review

“Moving and ingenious...” — The Wall Street Journal

“Brian Selznick proves to be that rare creator capable of following one masterpiece — 'The Invention of Hugo Cabret,' — with another even more brilliantly executed.” — Washington Post

“Another entrancing, exquisitely illustrated novel…Older kids and adults alike will be mesmerized by the interlocking stories. A verbal and visual marvel.” — Family Circle

About Wonderstruck

In this groundbreaking tour de force, Caldecott Medalist and bookmaking pioneer Brian Selznick sails into uncharted territory and takes readers on an awe-inspiring journey. 

Ben and Rose secretly wish their lives were different. Ben longs for the father he has never known. Rose dreams of a mysterious actress whose life she chronicles in a scrapbook. When Ben discovers a puzzling clue in his mother's room and Rose reads an enticing headline in the newspaper, both children set out alone on desperate quests to find what they are missing.

Set fifty years apart, these two independent stories--Ben's told in words, Rose's in pictures--weave back and forth with mesmerizing symmetry. How they unfold and ultimately intertwine will surprise you, challenge you, and leave you breathless with wonder. Rich, complex, affecting, and beautiful--with over 460 pages of original artwork—Wonderstruck is a stunning achievement from a gifted artist and visionary.

Media Coverage Highlights

• Los Angeles Times feature story, "Hugo" author Brian Selznick in a 'Wonderstruck' mind-set" (November 24, 2011)
• "Hugo" author's latest leaves readers 'Wonderstruck'" on CNN.com (November 18, 2011)
• Brian Selznick talks about Wonderstruck on The Bob Edwards Show (October 8, 2011)
• Brian Selznick talks about Wonderstruck and Hugo on "Al Roker's Book Club for Kids" NBC's Today Show (October 14, 2011)
• Brian Selznick talks about Wonderstruck on NPR Morning Edition (September 13, 2011)
• USA TODAY cover story Children and Hollywood set to be 'Wonderstruck' (September 1, 2011)
• Exclusive Wonderstruck excerpt in Wall Street Journal "Speakeasy" (September 1, 2011)
• Q&A with Brian Selznick in Publishers Weekly Children’s Bookshelf (August 4, 2011)
• School Library Journal cover story featuring Wonderstruck and an interview with Brian Selznick (August 1, 2011)
• Wonderstruck listed as "the hottest young adult title" in The Los Angeles Times BEA recap (May 28,2011)
• Wonderstruck cover reveal in Publishers Weekly (March 24, 2011)
• Wonderstruck announcement in Publishers Weekly (February 21, 2011)

Downloads & Links

• Wonderstruck Cover (high-res)
• Wonderstruck Cover 3D
• Interior artwork from Wonderstruck (Credit Line: Illustration from Wonderstruck. Copyright 2011 by Brian Selznick. Used with permission from Scholastic Press.)

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The Marvels

Awards & Distinctions

• New York Times Bestseller
• A New York Times Notable Book
• An Indie Bound #1 National Bestseller
• Guardian Children's Book Prize Finalist
• Publishers Weekly Best Book

Praise for The Marvels

"A bookmaking tour de force, this novel is as full of marvels as its title suggests.” — Washington Post

"[A] rich and surprising reading experience..” — The New York Times Book Review

“...[A] thrilling, poignant journey.” — The Wall Street Journal

 "[A] powerful story about creating lasting art and finding family in unexpected places.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review

 "Time, grief, forgiveness, and love intersect in epic theater celebrating mysteries of the heart and spirit.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

 "[A]stonishing, and truly marvelous.” — Booklist, starred review

“Complex, entertaining, and full of gorgeous art and writing, this is a powerhouse of a book.” — School Library Journal, starred review

About The Marvels

A breathtaking new voyage from Caldecott Medalist Brian Selznick.

Two stand-alone stories--the first in nearly 400 pages of continuous pictures, the second in prose--create a beguiling narrative puzzle.

The journey begins at sea in 1766, with a boy named Billy Marvel. After surviving a shipwreck, he finds work in a London theatre. There, his family flourishes for generations as brilliant actors until 1900, when young Leontes Marvel is banished from the stage.

Nearly a century later, runaway Joseph Jervis seeks refuge with an uncle in London. Albert Nightingale's strange, beautiful house, with its mysterious portraits and ghostly presences, captivates Joseph and leads him on a search for clues about the house, his family, and the past.

A gripping adventure and an intriguing invitation to decipher how the two stories connect, The Marvels is a loving tribute to the power of story from an artist at the vanguard of creative innovation.

Media Coverage Highlights

• The Atlantic talks to Brian Selznick on the magic of Where the Wild Things Are and how Maurice Sendak showed him the power of picture books. (September 15, 2015)
• Feature on Brian Selznick and The Marvels in the San Diego Tribune. (September 14, 2015)
• Review of The Marvels in The New York Times. (September 11, 2015)
• Washington Post review of The Marvels. (September 11, 2015)
• New and Noteworthy feature on The Marvels in USA Today. (September 11, 2015)
• The Marvels featured in the Associated Press “fall’s most anticipated books” story. (September 1, 2015)
• New York Magazine (pdf) feature on The Marvels. (also on Vulture.com) (August 28, 2015)
• Wall Street Journal profile story on Brian Selznick and The Marvels. (August 27, 2015)
• Wall Street Journal video on The Marvels trailer creation. (August 27, 2015)
• Wall Street Journal video on Brian Selznick’s creative process. (August 27, 2015)
• Wall Street Journal Speakeasy Blog featuring a preview of The Marvels. (August 27, 2015)
• San Diego Magazine feature. (August 25, 2015)
• Wall Street Journal Speakeasy Blog exclusively reveals The Marvels trailer. (August 13, 2015)

Downloads

• The Marvels Book Trailer
• The Marvels Cover (high-res)
• The Marvels Cover (3D)
• Interior artwork from The Marvels (Credit Line: Illustration from The Marvels. © 2015 Brian Selznick. Used with permission from Scholastic Press.)

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Hugo Movie Companion

About the Hugo Movie Companion

A stunning companion book to Martin Scorsese's feature film adaptation of The Invention of Hugo Cabret!

A companion book-and much more!-to Martin Scorsese's movie of the #1 bestseller and Caldecott Medal Winner.

Brian Selznick takes readers on an intimate tour of the movie-making process as his Caldecott Award-winning book The Invention of Hugo Cabret is turned into a 3-D major motion picture by Academy Award-winning director, Martin Scorsese, written by Academy Award-nominated screenwriter, John Logan.

Lavishly illustrated with full-color photographs from the movie, and filled with fun, informative interviews of the cast and crew, comparisons of artwork from the book alongside people, props, costumes, and sets from the movie, plus fascinating information about automatons, filmmaking pioneer Georges Méliès, and an essay on the birth of movies written by Martin Scorsese, The Hugo Movie Companion beautifully extends the experience of the book and the movie, and is a must-have for fans of all ages.

Media Coverage Highlights

• PW Children's Bookshelf feature on the "Hugo" movie and The Hugo Movie Companion (November 3, 2011)
• USA TODAY coverage of The Hugo Movie Companion (September 1, 2011)
• The Hugo Movie Companion book cover revealed in PW Daily (August 4, 2011)
• "Scorsese Finds His Hugo Cabret Cast" in Media Connection (March 16, 2010)

Downloads & Links

• The Hugo Movie Companion book cover
• The Hugo Movie Companion 3D book cover
• Photo from The Hugo Movie Companion by Brian Selznick published by Scholastic. Left to right: Asa Butterfield, Martin Scorsese and Chloe Grace Moretz on the set of Hugo. Photo credit: Jaap Buitendjik
• Hugo movie trailer

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Baby Monkey, Private Eye

Praise for Baby Monkey, Private Eye

 “Endearingly funny.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review

 “A delightful easy reader that is as funny as it is elegant.” — School Library Journal, starred review

 “Inventive . . . sweet . . . silly . . . irresistible.” — Booklist, starred review

 “Kids will forget they are learning to read, focusing instead on the comic bits, persistence, and vulnerability of an endearing hero.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

 “[L]ayered details are key to the multi-audience charm of Baby Monkey… The book is therefore a delight for reading together or alone… Hooray for Baby Monkey!” — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review

 “…perfectly timed page-turns… will have viewers giggling for days.” — Horn Book Magazine, starred review

“…perfect for new readers ready for a ‘big kid’ book… "The story begins in cinematic fashion, almost like a movie trailer... the illustrations are a marvel." — The New York Times Book Review

“Exceedingly cute.” — The Wall Street Journal

“…delightful… full of energy and humor. It’s silly, endearing and adventurous for a brand-new reader and any older listeners who will enjoy the fun.” — The Washington Post

“[An] inventive hybrid… Totally successful!” — San Francisco Chronicle

“Selznick’s upcoming picture book is a fun and campy take on those classic noir detective stories that's expertly crafted around his classic black-and-white illustrations.” — Bookpage

“Selznick is traveling on a Sendakian course, but along the way he’s never lost his penchant for kid-friendly fare… [It may be] the most subversive little number to hit our shelves in a very long time. For all its seeming simplicity, Baby Monkey packs a wallop. It challenges what an early chapter book can be, it’s the funniest fare you might read this year, it’s beautiful to look at, and there’s plenty to please small children and grown adults alike. Taken as a whole, the Serlin/Selznick duo is a force to be reckoned with.” — Betsy Bird, Librarian, School Library Journal Fuse #8 Production Blog

About Baby Monkey, Private Eye

Caldecott Medalist Brian Selznick and debut children's book author David Serlin create a dazzling new format especially for young children!

Who is Baby Monkey? He is a baby. He is a monkey. He has a job. He is Baby Monkey, Private Eye!

Lost jewels? Missing pizza? Stolen spaceship? Baby Monkey can help... if he can put on his pants!

Baby Monkey's adventures come to life in an exciting blend of picture book, beginning reader, and graphic novel. With pithy text and over 120 black and white drawings accented with red, it is ideal for sharing aloud and for emerging readers.

Hooray for Baby Monkey!

Media Coverage Highlights

• Review of Baby Monkey, Private Eye in The Washington Post (March 6, 2018)
• Feature interview with Brian Selznick and David Serlin in Kirkus Reviews (March 2, 2018)
• School Library Journal’s Fuse #8 Production blog features a must-read review of Baby Monkey, Private Eye (January 11, 2018)
• Feature interview with Brian Selznick and David Serlin in San Diego Union Tribune (February 25, 2018)
• Review of Baby Monkey, Private Eye in The Wall Street Journal (February 23, 2018)
• “By The Book” feature on Brian Selznick in The New York Times (February 22, 2018)
• Facebook Live drawing, interview and studio tour with Brian Selznick in The New York Times (February 21, 2018)
• Review of Baby Monkey, Private Eye in The New York Times Book Review (February 16, 2018)

About David Serlin

David Serlin is a writer, editor, and historian who teaches at the University of California, San Diego. He is the author or editor of numerous books and articles for adults. Baby Monkey, Private Eye is his first book for children. He divides his time between Brooklyn, New York and San Diego, California.

Links & Downloads

• Baby Monkey, Private Eye Cover Image
• Baby Monkey, Private Eye Book Trailer
• Interior Artwork from Baby Monkey, Private Eye (Credit Line: Illustration from Baby Monkey, Private Eye. © 2018 Brian Selznick. Used with permission from Scholastic Press.)