Saltimbanque Editions

Saltimbanque Éditions is a small independent French publishing house devoted to children's literature. Presenting itself as a free-spirited, playful and joyful storyteller, the publisher describes its catalogue as made up of books that are demanding in terms of content quality, manufacturing quality and assumed commitment. The house positions itself as a small structure — a small team driven by great passions — working in the service of both authors and readers. The publisher's identity is built around a circus metaphor: its website welcomes visitors "under the big top of the Saltimbanque," and its sections are named after circus and travelling-fair imagery such as the parade of books, the caravan of authors, the troupe's news, the professionals' caravan and the round of new releases. This playful branding reflects a catalogue that spans picture books, non-fiction documentaries and animated or novelty albums for young readers. Saltimbanque Éditions publishes French-language titles and has gained recognition through literary prizes and institutional selections. Its non-fiction title "Une île est née" (by Virginie Aladjidi, Caroline Pellissier and Manon Diemer), a documentary about the real island of Surtsey, was selected among the 50 books for pleasure by the CNL (Centre national du livre). The publisher also highlights a fruitful 2024/2025 season in which its picture books, documentaries and animated albums won jury votes and literary awards, including the Prix Chrétien de Troyes 2024. As an independent, privately held publisher, Saltimbanque Éditions operates primarily in the French market. Its editorial line combines scientific and documentary subjects told as stories with strong illustration, alongside fiction and novelty formats, and it emphasizes both the quality of its physical books and an explicit social and environmental engagement.

Saltimbanque Éditions is a small independent French publishing house dedicated to children's books. Its public identity is built around the metaphor of a circus troupe: the website welcomes readers "under the big top of the Saltimbanque," and its editorial sections carry names such as the parade of books, the caravan of authors, the troupe's news, the professionals' caravan and the round of new releases. The publisher presents itself as a free, mischievous and joyful storyteller that takes readers into the adventure of reading, with books that are demanding in terms of content quality, manufacturing quality and assumed commitment. The house describes itself as a small structure — a small team with great passions — serving authors and readers. Its catalogue covers several children's segments: picture books (albums), non-fiction documentaries and animated or novelty albums. This range is reflected in the prizes and selections it publicizes. In its news section, the publisher highlights that the year 2024/2025 was fruitful for its "superb troupe of authors," with picture books, documentaries and animated albums winning jury votes and literary awards, including the Prix Chrétien de Troyes 2024. A notable recognition came through the French national book agency, the Centre national du livre (CNL). Saltimbanque Éditions announced that "Une île est née," a documentary by Virginie Aladjidi, Caroline Pellissier and Manon Diemer, was selected among the CNL's 50 books for pleasure. The book tells the story of the real island of Surtsey, which appeared from a volcanic eruption a little over sixty years ago and has since become a natural laboratory studied by scientists; the publisher describes it as a breathtaking documentary in which science is told as a story. Beyond individual titles, the publisher's stated editorial stance combines demanding content, careful physical production and an explicit commitment — an engagement it presents as assumed rather than incidental. As a privately held, independent French publisher, Saltimbanque Éditions operates primarily in the French-language market and positions itself as a small, author- and reader-focused house rather than a large corporate group.

• Publication of "Une île est née" by Virginie Aladjidi, Caroline Pellissier and Manon Diemer, later selected among the CNL's 50 books for pleasure.

• Prix Chrétien de Troyes 2024 awarded to a Saltimbanque Éditions title.

• The publisher reports a fruitful 2024/2025 season with prizes for picture books, documentaries and animated albums.

Small independent publisher of demanding, well-crafted and socially engaged children's books.

• Une île est née

  A documentary about the real island of Surtsey, written by Virginie Aladjidi, Caroline Pellissier and Manon Diemer; selected among the CNL's 50 books for pleasure.

1. 1Accueil - Saltimbanque éditionssaltimbanqueeditions.com
2. 2Saltimbanque Editions - Wikidatawikidata.org