OUP races to seal murderous motoring title by Boxtrolls author

Oxford University Press has signed the “Boxtrolls” creator for an illustrated gift book about a murder of crows who build a car in order to break the world speed record for birds.

Commissioning editor Peter Marley bought world rights to Alan Snow’s Speed Birds from Jane Willis at United Agents.

Author/illustrator Snow is most famous for How Santa Really Works and Here be Monsters!, the 2005 book that was made into the animated film “Boxtrolls” .

Motoring enthusiast Snow’s story follows a group of young crows who build a sports car in an attempt to surpass the record speed of 242mph, set by the peregrine falcon.

Marley said the title would be “a truly stunning narrative picture book full of technical information that will surprise and delight readers of all ages”.