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HarperCollins Children's Books is to publish the fourth children's novel by writer and comedian David Baddiel, entitled Birthday Boy, in September.
The publisher holds world rights to the title which has been touted as a "hilarious rollercoaster ride of pure entertainment for readers everywhere".
Illustrated by Jim Field, Birthday Boy tells the story of Sam Green, who really, really, really loves birthdays. The blurb reads: "He loves the special breakfasts in bed. The presents. The themed parties. Blowing out the candles on his cake. Everything. He is so excited about his 11th birthday, in fact, that he wishes it was his birthday every day. So, at first, it’s quite exciting when his birthday happens again the next morning. And again. And again. And again... But it’s not long before things start to go wrong. Soon, disaster strikes, threatening something Sam loves even more than birthdays. Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for..."
Ann-Janine Murtagh, executive publisher at HarperCollins Children’s Books, said: “David Baddiel is a simply incredible writer with a bold imagination, brilliant comic timing and big-story ideas that give his books for children unique appeal. Birthday Boy is quintessentially Baddiel – more funny and touching than ever, with a wonderful wish fulfilment story that will delight all children and a beautifully touching ending that will leave you reaching for the tissues. David’s new book is all set to be a children’s classic and will send his sales soaring this Autumn. We are absolutely delighted to be publishing it on the HarperCollins’ list.”
Baddiel said: “I hope children everywhere enjoy Birthday Boy. And parents. Although: as ever with my books, it is a wish-fulfilment story, and I presented parents with enough trouble with The Parent Agency, a book that imagines a world where children can chose their own parents. Here, a boy makes a wish, one that I think a lot of children do secretly make, that his birthday could happen every day; and it comes true. I can only apologise if any of my readers take this literally and start demanding presents, cakes and parties every day of the year. Hopefully, they’ll get enough joy from just reading about it in Birthday Boy.”
Baddiel began his career as a writer after graduating from Cambridge with a double first in English literature in 1986. He was a judge for the Guardian First Book Award in 2000 and the Man Booker Prize in 2002.
Baddiel's first three children's books were The Parent Agency, The Person Controller and AniMalcolm (all HarperCollins). In total, Baddiel’s children’s books have sold over 450,000 copies through TCM in the UK, and have been translated into 27 languages, according to the publisher. The hardback of AniMalcolm – publishing in paperback this month – has sold over 50,000 copies through TCM since launch in October 2016. The Parent Agency won the inaugural Laugh Out Loud Book Award in 2016.
Birthday Boy will publish in hardback on 7th September 2017 backed by a "major" marketing and publicity campaign.