Paper Bridge

Joëlle Veyrenc is a clinical psychologist, former teacher and children's writer from France. She is inspired by the imaginary and emotional worlds that children inhabit and enjoys stories that emphasise the importance of sharing and collaboration. Joelle lives with her husband on the outskirts of Paris. The Paper Bridge is her first picture book. Seng Soun Ratanavanh is a French illustrator and painter who was born in Laos. She graduated from the National School of Fine Arts, Paris and has illustrated several books for children. Seng Soun taught herself the art of kirigami to create the striking blend of 2D and 3D paper illustrations in The Paper Bridge. She lives near Paris with her husband and children. Katy Lockwood-Holmes studied French and Linguistics at the University of Edinburgh. She works in publishing and lives in Edinburgh, UK.

Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Illustration.A Foreword Reviews Best Children's Book of 2025'An unmatched work of art.'-- Foreword Reviews, Starred Review'The story reads like a parable, drawing readers into a setting like our own but ever so slightly off-kilter, while the exquisite illustrations are rife with small details for those who choose to linger... A beautifully crafted world to get lost in.' -- Kirkus Reviews'Ratanavanh’s meticulous, captivating art is truly exquisite... inviting readers to linger over every inspired detail as they absorb the warmth of this tender original fable by debut author Veyrenc.'-- Booklist'Truly a one-of-a-kind picture book... Such meticulous effort put into each and every page deserves recognition and appreciation... It is wonderfully unique and amusing.'-- Georgie Bartlett, YA Books Central'Beautifully crafted. This story has the feel of a traditional folk tale, with characters and settings reminiscent of classic Japanese art. With its imaginative storytelling, timeless aesthetic, and strong message about valuing diversity, empathy and cooperation, this book would be a wonderful read aloud.'-- Puget Sound Council for the Review of Children's and Young Adult Literature'The words and images together tell the story perfectly. The Paper Bridge is a metaphor for climate change; it asks us to think about how one society’s actions might impact another. This is a very special book.' -- JUNO'Seng Soun Ratanavanh’s stunning illustrations transform the tale with intricately crafted kirigami scenes, immersing readers in a delicate world of paper forests and mountains. Parents will appreciate its message of courage and understanding, while children will delight in exploring the textured, folded landscapes that fill each page with magic.'-- Preneur World Magazine'The Paper Bridge is completely captivating -- a gorgeous heart-warming tale with a message of hope at its core, showing how a series of actions in one community can have a devastating effect on another, and highlighting the impact of climate change and the challenges of working together to protect our shared natural world.'-- Outside In World'A beautiful book.'-- Kindling'I feel that this book will become a favorite of most people, will be given many awards and I could even see it becoming a modern classic.' -- Northshire Bookstore'The paper illustrations are beautiful and transport you to another world… The story is a valuable message to our own world, one of working together, communicating and helping to protect our planet.'-- Kaleidoscope Magazine'The visual detail and depth will appeal to readers of any age, whilst the story provides an excellent springboard for explaining to children about climate change.'-- Five Books, The Best New Books for 6-8 Year Olds, January 2025'A delightful story about friendship, bravery and climate change. The art really makes this book!'-- OmniLibros'The story [...] and the illustrations fuse to create the perfect piece of art. Frankly, I think this should be in the library of anyone, of any age, who believes in the power of hope and community to make a meaningful impact. This is undoubtedly one of my best books of the year so far.'-- Doreen Sheridan, The Frumious Consortium 'Beautiful, striking, and creative… If you're looking to expand your collection with unique titles that will introduce readers to new things and teach them about peaceful resolutions, I'd pick up this one.' -- Charessa S., Centralia Regional Library District, US'A masterpiece… This is a very charming book I highly recommend and absolutely love.'-- Our World of Wonder (Instagram)'With stunning kirigami artwork, this story holds a bigger message of communities working together to protect each other and the world we all live in.' -- The Kids Bookstagrammer (Instagram)'A spectacular, intricate paper and cardboard world… What a treat.'-- Storybook Mamma (Instagram)'A wonderful story all about determination, courage and togetherness.'-- Playing with Primrose (Instagram)'A unique and contemporary take on a fairy tale about building bridges and coming together to care for our world and one another despite our differences… It's unlike any other book I have read so far this year.'-- Reading with Red and the Magpie (Instagram)'As I opened the first page, I was instantly captivated. This book is a delightful treasure for any child, sparking imagination and inviting dreams.'-- Cynthia Luv Puzzles (Instagram)'Wow! One of the most visually stunning books we've read lately. The level of detail is incredible, and my girls were completely drawn into the story.'-- Read with a Rescue (Instagram)'A tender tale of imagination and longing… perfect for sparking conversations about connection, creativity, and how we build the world around us.'-- A Blue Box Full of Books (Instagram)'A unique, stunning and captivating story! I love the emphasis on bravery, creativity and community throughout this book.'-- Murray's Miraculous Mission (Instagram)'With layered kirigami-style art that's mesmerizing and dimensional, this book speaks to the fear of the unfamiliar, the courage to reach out, and the quiet hope of connection across distance. We couldn't stop turning the pages.'-- Parkside Reads (Instagram)'A poignant tale that celebrates kindness, bravery, and differences. This is one of my favorite picture books of all time. The inspiring written story combined with the unique art style creates a masterpiece to look at and read.'-- Fairytales for Moms (Instagram)'An absolutely amazing book! I was so captivated by the story that I needed to know what was going to happen next! If you're looking for something different for your children or classroom then this book is definitely a must buy.'-- Books Books and Bookmarks (Instagram)'Magnificent details meet tremendous depth as colors collide, characters emerge and imagination is truly lifted. This story is meant for everyone. Gentle swaying narrative and a sweetly resolved dilemma make this read perfect for the bedtime stack.'-- Library Must Haves (Instagram)