To better understand a world where migration has become a key issue, this non-fiction illustrated children's book addresses questions about the origin and nature of borders: how long have they existed? Why do they separate us? This scholarly and easy to understand work targets readers 9+. Its rich illustrations reflect the diversity of the texts. 

Translation rights sold in German, English, Korean, Italian, Portuguese, Vietnamese. Others currently being finalized.  

France Livre: Karim Ressouni-Demigneux, what led you to write a children's book on borders?
Karim Ressouni-Demigneux: This book explores the concept of borders, a man-made construct that separates as much as it unites. A border is the promise of different place with a framework in which its own and other rules are defined. Galia Tapiero, the editor at Kilowatt, had been considering this subject for years. She told me about it; I offered my services. She launched the book project.
Galia Tapiero: Karim Ressouni-Demigneux is a journalist, art historian, children's author and a great traveler. Who better to talk to us about borders and tell us about the world around us? The illustrations are Karine Maincent’s, an artist with whom I have been collaborating for years. She has a real talent for meticulous research, and a wonderful ability to visually interpret a text and give poetry to non-fiction.

France Livre: What makes this work original?
Karim Ressouni-Demigneux: I believe that this book tackles all the issues, no matter how difficult they may be. Children are intelligent and curious, and the job of an author-illustrator team is to explain things clearly and make reading  fun. While doing my research, I was struck by the richness of the subject: we move from history to geography, from politics to daily life. There are lots of very funny and surprising anecdotes about borders. It was a real pleasure to write!
Galia Tapiero: This book is both scholarly and accessible. It can be read in one sitting or leafed through and read in parts. The illustrations enrich the reading.

France Livre: The subject, borders, is indeed approached from all angles - geographical, historical, sociological, political, philosophical - with very concrete examples and anecdotes. Who is this book for?

Karim Ressouni-Demigneux: The book is targeted at readers 9+ in shared reading. We designed it in such a way that you can either read it all at once, or leaf through it and let yourself be carried away by the illustrations before reading it. The illustrations are beautiful, detailed and often funny. They help engender the richness of the topic. They simplify what is perceived as complex, which is also what I have tried to do.

France Livre: This book has already crossed several borders. To date, it has been sold in six countries. How have foreign publishers react to this book?
Galia Tapiero: Many liked it straight away. Though cultural adaptations were necessary in some territories, that did not affect the sales.

Interview by Katja Petrovic
April 2026