Irish Indies Unite: Little Island and Bad Book Press Join Forces

Irish indie Little Island Books has agreed to act as international sales agents for Bad Book Press, a new Belfast-based picture book publisher founded by author-illustrators Ashwin Chacko and Clive McFarland. Little Island will sell Bad Book Press titles throughout Ireland, the UK, and export markets.

The move sees the exciting new press gain access to valuable global markets via the international sales channels developed by Little Island, including representation by Bounce Sales & Marketing in Great Britain.

With their slogan “Crafting misfit ideas into playful children’s books”, Bad Book Press specialise in creative and fun illustrated picture books championing Northern Irish talent and aiming to spark the imaginations of the next generation of curious readers. They will publish their debut, Moon Moon Can’t Sleep! by Belfast-based author and illustrator Johnathan Sung, in March 2026.

About Moon Moon Can’t Sleep!

Moon Moon loves a lot of things, but most of all, he loves to sleep. He can sleep anywhere – on drawers, on the sofa, even on the loo.

But tonight, Moon Moon can’t sleep. Who’s missing? He must brave the dark, face the shadows, and find his way back to slumber in this bold, funny, and gently reassuring bedtime story about facing fear, finding comfort, and finally drifting off.

Little Island’s Matthew Parkinson-Bennett says: “Little Island’s strategy is to bring the best Irish books to the world, drawing on the incredible talent pool in this country to publish books for young readers everywhere. So it makes sense for our next step to be helping an exciting new Irish children’s press to access our international sales channels.

I’ve worked with Ashwin as an illustrator and I know if he brings the same playfulness, eye for detail, and commercial savvy to Bad Book Press it will be a very good publisher.”

Bad Book Press’s Ashwin Chacko adds: “Bad Book Press was born out of the need to create a space for unconventional picture books: a place where authors and illustrators can explore new ideas, rediscover the joy of making, and craft the exceptionally unexpected.

We’re thrilled to be joining forces with Little Island. Matthew has been an amazing support and mentor through the whole process. His passion for children’s books and shared belief in making thoughtful, unexpected work make Little Island a natural fit for Bad Book Press. We look forward to working together to bring new exciting to stories to children all over the world.”

Moon Moon Can’t Sleep! will be published by Bad Book Press in March 2026.

For Bad Book Press enquiries, please contact: ashwin@badbookpress.com

For Little Island enquiries, please contact: info@littleisland.ie