Only Connect! An introduction to Neem Tree Press
Neem Tree Press is an independent publisher of books intended to change and broaden perspectives and give readers a deeper appreciation of the world around us. Their team introduce this new publishing house and its aims.
At Neem Tree Press we focus on children’s and YA books that introduce young readers to new perspectives and invite them to discover cultures beyond their own. These books invoke a sense of adventure and exploration with stories grounded in art, mythology, history, dystopia, and physical and mental health. We look for stories that are fast-paced, cinematic and immersive. We also really appreciate books that make us laugh!
The company was founded by Dr Archna Sharma, a doctor and healthcare financier. She has lived and worked in many parts of the globe and her family crosses all manner of geographic and cultural boundaries. She considers herself a world citizen and was inspired to start the company when she couldn’t find specific books she was seeking for her two young sons. She feels strongly that by building compassionate bridges between people we can transform the world into a better place. She wholeheartedly agrees with the sentiments of EM Forster, ‘Only connect! … Only connect the prose and the passion, and both will be exalted, and human love will be seen at its height. Live in fragments no longer.’
The team at Neem Tree Press is committed to increasing diversity and inclusion in children’s books. We look for terrific stories that shine spotlights on ideas or histories or places that should be illuminated, whether right here on our doorstep or far, far away. Our children’s authors come from across the world, from England and Scotland all the way to Spain, Canada, Algeria, and Palestine. We understand how important it is for children to see themselves represented in books for a more confident and empowering future.
Picture Books
We are excited to launch our very first picture books in early 2024! Misty Mole is a series of three books written by a Canadian eye-doctor, Yasmin El-Rouby. Yasmin is passionate about paediatric eye health and has spotted a gap in connecting with children to teach them how to take care of their eyesight. In book 1, Misty Mole Gets New Glasses, she highlights the fast-growing problems of myopia (short-sightedness) through a cute little mole who trips and tumbles when she walks and paints blurry pictures until she goes for her first eye test. In books 2 and 3, Misty Mole and the Big Switch-Off and Misty Mole and the Eating Adventure, we learn about the importance of reducing screen time and how good nutrition is important for healthy eyes.
Children’s Fiction
One of our bestselling books is War of the Wind by Victoria Williamson. It’s a climate fiction mystery book set on a remote Scottish island, where an evil scientist is conducting research into a potential new weapon that utilizes sound waves. The four feisty young protagonists foil his attempt, as in all great children’s adventure books! However, these characters happen to have different disabilities. Victoria was a teacher to special needs children and has reflected her wonderful students in this book. The book has won the Glasgow Libraries Award and is currently shortlisted for The Week Junior Book Awards and the Leeds Libraries Award.
We’ve recently released Victoria’s new book, Norah’s Ark, a story of friendship, belonging and animal rescue. Set in Hull, Norah’s Ark tells the story of two children, Norah and Adam, who come from very different socioeconomic backgrounds but connect through their love of animals. The story shines a light on the reality of food banks and homelessness, and how this impacts children both in and out of school.
For Halloween, we’ve released Scareground by Angela Kecojevic, a spooky adventure story set in Victorian 
London, a time when fairgrounds were flourishing. When a scary fairground returns to Greenwich, 12-year-old orphan Nancy Crumpet uncovers a world of dark magic, forbidden adventures, and family secrets.
Young Adult Fiction
This October we’ll be publishing Feast of Ashes, a YA dystopian thriller also by Victoria Williamson. It’s set in 2123 when the Earth’s ecosystems have collapsed and young Adina believes she has accidentally killed 14,756 people by causing her home, a biodome, to blow into smithereens. She’s tasked with saving the survivors and navigating a treacherous path to the rescue point. A tense ending for each chapter and a breathless pace.
Next year, our children’s and YA books include The Djinn’s Apple by Algerian author Djamila Morani, translated from Arabic by Sawad Hussain. The book, which won an English PEN Translate award, is a historical crime thriller set in the Abbasid period—the golden age of Baghdad. It features a strong-willed young teen girl, Nardeen, who defies all stereotypes of the era and becomes a doctor while solving the mystery of who killed her entire family, and why.
Last year, we published the final instalment in our cinematic, immersive YA action-packed series, The Three Hares. Book 3, The Terracotta Horse, was shortlisted for the Young Quills Award for historical fiction, and takes readers back in time to the Viking era, while book 1 (The Jade Dragonball) takes you on a ride through the Song Dynasty and Byzantium in book 2 (The Gold Monkey Key). The series is co-authored by Scottish author Scott Lauder and American author David Ross, who have lived and worked in the Far East and bring their love of history and cultural knowledge into their books.
Our books are available to buy in-store and online at your favourite bookshop.
We’d love to connect with you! You can write to us at info@neemtreepress.com, and follow us on social media: @NeemTreePress.
Books mentioned:
Misty Mole Gets New Glasses Dr. Yasmin El-Rouby, illus Ishy Walters, 978-1911107798, £7.99 pbk
War of the Wind, Victoria Williamson, 978-1911107507, £8.99 pbk
Norah’s Ark, Victoria Williamson, 978-1911107996, £8.99 pbk
Feast of Ashes, Victoria Williamson, 978-1911107873 £8.99 pbk
Scareground, Angela Kecojevic, 978-1915584212, £8.99 pbk
The Djinn’s Apple, Djamila Morani, translated from Arabic by Sawad Hussain
The Jade Dragonball, Scott Lauder and David Ross, 978-1911107170, £10.99 pbk
The Gold Monkey Key, Scott Lauder and David Ross, 978-1911107071, £11.99 pbk
The Terracotta Horse, Scott Lauder and David Ross, 978-1911107194, £8.99 pbk
