Andersen Press and War Child create charity edition of When The Sky Falls

Andersen Press has partnered with the charity War Child on a special Waterstones edition of Phil Earle’s When The Sky Falls, to go on sale from June. War Child, a charity for children affected by conflict, will receive £1 from every sale.

When The Sky Falls was first published in 2021and won the British Book Award for Children’s Fiction Book of the Year and the Books Are My Bag Readers Award for Children’s Fiction. It was also named The Times Children’s Book of the Year and shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal.

The book is inspired by a true story, set in 1941. Its synopsis reads: “War is raging. And one angry boy has been sent to the city, where bombers rule the skies. There, Joseph will live with Mrs F, a gruff woman with no fondness for children. Her only loves are the rundown zoo she owns and its mighty silverback gorilla, Adonis. As the weeks pass, bonds deepen and secrets are revealed, but if the bombers set Adonis rampaging free, will either of them be able to end the life of the one thing they truly love?”

In support of the special edition, the author will take part in a schools tour in June across the country as well as media and festival appearances. He said: “With conflicts affecting millions of children around the world every single day, it is an absolute honour to be partnering with War Child, Andersen Press and Waterstones on this limited-edition volume of When The Sky Falls. War Child’s collaborations within the arts have been synonymous for over 30 years, so it is a privilege to be a small part of the pioneering work they continue to do.”

Helen Pattinson, c.e.o. of War Child UK said: “War Child is grateful for the opportunity to be working with Andersen Press, Phil Earle and Waterstones on this special edition book. When The Sky Falls shines an important light on children impacted by war, including the trauma they experience, and is a reminder to us all that no child should ever be part of war. War Child is committed to our fundraising heritage in the arts, and it is a privilege to be working with Phil, Andersen Press and Waterstones to advocate and fundraise for children around the world who deserve support."

Nick Campbell, children’s buyer at Waterstones said: “When the Sky Falls is a timely and powerful reading experience that our booksellers have long championed. Phil Earle does not shy from showing how children become witnesses to the physical and emotional devastation of war, but this is also a hopeful story, about the compassion that helps us endure dark times.”