Orca Book Publishers, Canada’s leading independent publisher for children and teens, is expanding its commitment to French-language publishing. Starting this spring, Orca will distribute books from a number of French-Canadian publishers across North America, bringing acclaimed Quebec-published titles to a wider audience.
Based in Victoria, BC, Orca has added titles from Fonfon, Comme des géants and La Pastèque to its distribution list, with Les 400 coups, Planète rebelle and KATA set to join in the fall. These publishers add to an existing French-language program that includes titles from Québec Amérique and Orca’s own French titles.
This expansion follows the hiring of Alexandra Valiquette as Orca’s French sales specialist in 2024, a move that reflects the company’s strategic investment in French-language publishing and distribution.
“We believe in the importance of supporting linguistic and cultural diversity across Canada,” says publisher Andrew Wooldridge. “By partnering with these respected Quebec publishers, we’re helping connect young readers, French and bilingual alike, with powerful, beautifully crafted stories from across the country.”
Orca distributes widely to schools, libraries and bookstores across North America. This new initiative enhances access to high-quality French-language children’s literature in markets outside Quebec, where demand for French books for young readers continues to grow. Orca also distributes a number of English-language publishers to the North American market from warehouses in Victoria, BC and Ferndale, WA.
About the publishers:
Orca Book Publishers is an independently owned Canadian children’s book publisher of award-winning, bestselling books in a number of genres. With over 1,000 titles in print and more than 80 new titles a year, Orca prides itself on publishing Canadian authors and bringing them to a wider market.
Fonfon sparks the joy of reading in children aged three to eight, with colourful, engaging books that educate, enrich and entertain, all made entirely in Canada with eco-friendly materials. The publishing house holds its talented authors and illustrators in high regard and embraces a vision of sustainability, releasing only a limited number of new publications each year to ensure a focus on carefully curated and beautifully crafted stories that will keep appealing to children’s imaginations for years to come.
For over 10 years, Comme des Géants, an independent publishing house, has carefully curated and published books for children. While picture books are at the heart of its program, it also publishes word books, graphic novels, and nonfiction. Recently, it has also begun publishing board books, specially written and illustrated for babies. The house’s titles stand out for their narrative strength, literary quality, and visual excellence. It’s never too early to share beautiful books with children—and to make reading a moment of connection.
Founded in 1998 by Frédéric Gauthier and Martin Brault, La Pastèque is a Quebec-based publishing house that has established itself as a leading name in comics and children’s literature. From the beginning, it has built a strong and distinctive brand, blending high-quality editorial expertise with a dynamic and engaged sense of community. La Pastèque quickly stood out for its innovative approach, publishing works that are both ambitious and accessible—pushing the boundaries of the medium.
More than just stories, Les 400 coups offers a world of possibilities for creators and readers alike, offering a place to dream, to think and to entertain. Since 1995, this Canadian publishing house has devoted its time and energy to children’s literature by offering an abundance of universes that are imbued with humanism. Les 400 coups is an essential publisher in the French-speaking literary landscape, offering a catalogue of close to 500 award-winning titles.
Planète rebelle is a French-language publishing house dedicated to the art of storytelling, spoken word or conte. Planète rebelle’s conteurs (storytellers) are rooted in the unique oral tradition of Québec, French Canada and the First Nations. Their stories are offered on paper and in an easily accessible audio format as well. From traditional folktales to contemporary narratives, Planète rebelle’s publications highlight the voices of storytellers who use language to pass down wisdom, spark imagination, and connect generations. Planète rebelle publishes picture books, spoken word, autofiction, tall tales, YA novels, poetry and fiction.
KATA is short for “catastrophe”; it is a way to present the urgent climate crisis to children and teenagers by connecting with them emotionally. Even though it is a difficult topic, KATA taps into our collective imagination and provides amazing storytelling and incredible illustrations to spark mobilization around environmental issues. We specialize in picture books, comic books, graphic novels, YA and in many genres including documentary, fiction, science fiction and fantasy. KATA encourages cultural diversity, non-binary characters and stories about First Nations, Métis and Inuit, written by the main actors of those communities.