Gray and Field strike deal for new picture book series

Kes Gray and Jim Field, the author and illustrator behind the Oi! brand, are planning a new picture book series with Hachette Children’s Group (HCG).

Although no new details about the series have been released, HCG said it will publish three books under the Hodder Children’s Books imprint. Publishing dates are yet to be announced.                   

“Kes and I have had a load of fun creating the Oi series, which wasn’t planned to be a series,” said Field. “So to work on a completely new series of picture books, (which is planned as a series) with him and the ace team at Hachette is going to be flipping great.”

Gray added: “The success of the Oi series has taken me completely by surprise and a new project with Jim and the Hachette team is something I'm really relishing.”

HCG picture book publisher Emma Layfield signed world rights directly with Gray, and with Jodie Hodges at United Agents for Jim Field.

Earlier this year, Hodder announced plans to take the Oi! picture book series into stage promotions and licensing after acquiring new rights from the illustrator’s agent and the author.

The series comprises of Oi Frog!, which was nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal in 2012, Oi Dog!, which was shortlisted for both the Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Award 2016 and Children’s Book of the Year at The British Book Awards, and Oi Cat!, which was shortlisted for this year’s Children’s Book of the Year at The British Book Awards.