Just Right Agency has secured a significant international deal for Little Footprints, the beloved picture book series by Italian author and illustrator Maria Gianola. 

The 4-book series has already seen successful sales in China for English and in India for Tamil translations. The attention of Kim Đồng, Vietnam’s leading publisher, marks a key moment in Gianola’s expanding international presence.

Originally published in Italy, Little Footprints explores the small, yet impactful moments that shape childhood, making it relatable to young readers across different cultures and backgrounds. The cast of animal characters who navigate the challenges and joys of growing up is wonderfully varied. 

In What a Hurry!, Koala enjoys a slow-paced lifestyle, while Weasel and Raccoon rush back and forth all day. In You Are Too Much!, Elephant feels out of place, finding himself too big, too slow, and generally just too much. Boar struggles with feelings of inadequacy, longing for his own Treasure while others seem to have their own. Together, they all become worried by the mysterious traces left behind by… The Intruder! 

As 2024 comes to an end, Maria Gianola reflects on a remarkable year of new releases. 

In March, she introduced Wonderful Now with Gruppo Abele Edizioni, a heartfelt reminder to appreciate the beauty of the present moment. In April, she launched the Wolf and Milo series with Edizioni Paoline, a collection of illustrated stories centered on friendship. May saw the release of Tic, Toc, Pum in the Gribaudo board book series, a delightful tale emphasizing the importance of listening. October added two new titles to her portfolio: Oops! The Importance of Making Mistakes (Scienza Express), which explores how mistakes can lead to surprising discoveries, and A Shooting Star at Christmas (Il Gatto Verde), a charming tale perfect for the holiday season.

In addition to the continued success of Little Footprints, Gianola’s international reach is expanding further with an upcoming Turkish edition of Grandparents’ Hill, along with rights sold for Oops! The Importance of Making Mistakes to a Russian publisher.