In 1978, Philippe Werck opened a children’s bookstore in his hometown of Hasselt, Belgium. Shortly thereafter, he decided to publish the books he wanted to place on his shelves. This is how Clavis Publishing originated. Now, thirty years later, with over one hundred and eighty titles published annually, Clavis, meaning ‘key’ in Latin, has unlocked the door to their New York office.
Clavis’s first English language list is comprised of ten titles in the spring and seventeen titles in the fall. The list is distributed by Independent Publishers Group and Samara Klein manages Clavis’s headquarters in New York.
Clavis publishes books for toddlers that follow a simple and accurate key specifying the appropriate age for each book and the fundamental concept the book addresses. Clavis also publishes picture books by internationally renowned authors and illustrators, many of whom have already been published in the US. And, Clavis publishes a wide range of middle grade and young adult fiction – both entertaining and literary. With time, the list will grow, including books originated in the US. In Belgium, Clavis hosts illustrator open houses to discover new talent, which will be done in New York as well.
Children’s imaginations come alive when reading these wonderful, bright-colored and clearly illustrated books. Clavis’s books encourage children to believe in their deepest dreams, while embracing psycho-social and culturally relevant themes. Experiencing this fine balance between dreams and reality increases children’s self-esteem. People who are still in touch with their inner-child and who dare to follow their dreams, make significant contributions to society - Kaat Ponnet, M.D. Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
