Mélanie Baligand, production manager at La Martinière and children's book author

Mélanie Baligand graduated from the BTS "Études de réalisation d'un projet de communication option études de réalisation de produits imprimés" at GOBELINS Paris in 2011, and is now head of production for illustrated books at Editions La Martinière. A lifelong fan of books, she published "Les Trois Petits Cochons, Le petit théâtre d'ombres" in October 2022.

I joined GOBELINS in a preparatory class, then did the two-year BTS work-study course at a publishing house, where I stayed for another year on fixed-term contracts.

I then joined La Martinière, a publisher of fine books and children's books , as a manufacturer.

Today,I work in the design office, specializing in children's publishing and , more specifically, animated books.

©Editions La Martinière

I started out as a bookmaker. I was in charge of the entire book manufacturing process, from engraving to printing, including file delivery. I was also responsible for liaising with the printer until the book was delivered. Exceptionally, I still work on the production of certain complex works, such as pop-up books.

Today, I'm mainly involved in the design of the book from the outset. I'll choose papers and materials, and study formats to find the best option for the book, while optimizing costs, given the current inflationary context. I work on fairly complex books (with pop-ups, flaps, zippers...) which require more know-how to bring the author's idea to fruition.

Four or five years ago, I took a pop-up course that used storytelling as a medium, and that's what inspired me to make this book.

I'm not trained as an illustrator, and I didn't want to create a children's book in black and white only, so I had the idea of making a book of shadows and building a system that would allow them to be projected onto the ceiling. I designed a pop-up structure made of cut-out paper, under which you could place a light source, in this case a cell phone. It was the easiest thing for me to do, as I always had it to hand.

I worked with Juliette Sanz, a graphic designer friend and former student of the BTS program at GOBELINS, on this project. She produced Illustrator files for the first volume.

©Editions La Martinière

Yes, that's right, I'm currently working on Volume 2. At the moment, the book is doing very well, it's been well received, I've had a lot of positive feedback.

La Martinière jeunesse has decided to continue with a second volume, the aim being to launch a shadow theater collection based on children's stories.

©Editions La Martinière

I'd always wanted to work surrounded by books, and I couldn't imagine getting up in the morning against my will to go and do a job I wouldn't like.

I liked the technical and manual side of bookmaking. What interests me most is contributing to the creation of a book, helping authors to turn their ideas into reality.

It was a dream of mine to be able to publish a book as an author one day. I like everything about the process, from creation to drawing, and especially working with materials and cut-outs.

©Editions La Martinière

It was for Il était une fois Peau d'Ane by Rosalie Varda-Demy and Emmanuel Pierrat. The book had been commissioned by Van Cleef to accompany the launch of a jewelry collection on the theme of the tale. They wanted to create an object to offer to their staff and customers.

I loved everything about those three years. We were very well trained, the teachers were great, and I have very fond memories of them.

When you believe in something or want something, you really have to see it through to the end.

I'm convinced that it pays off in the end, maybe because it did for me, but I really believe that if you're determined, bold and persevering, you can achieve anything.

Interview by Sophie Jean