Henn's first fiction series to HC

HarperCollins Children’s Books has snapped up World Book Day illustrator Sophy Henn’s first fiction series as part of a three-book contract in a “significant pre-emptive deal”.

Bad Nana is a “deliciously wicked” fully illustrated series for children aged between five and eight. A three-book contract was negotiated by Alice Blacker, publishing director Picture Books, with Paul Moreton at The Bell Lomax Moreton Agency. She has previously been published by Bloomsbury and Penguin Random House children's imprint Puffin.

Older Not Wiser, the first book in the series will be illustrated in two-colour throughout and will launch in £8.99 hardback in June 2018, with simultaneous e-book and audiobook publication.

The series, which was acquired in a “significant pre-emptive deal”, follows Jeanie’s grandma who embroils Jeanie in her “mischievous schemes”.

Blacker said: “We’re so thrilled to be publishing the super-talented Sophy Henn’s first foray into highly illustrated young fiction. Sophy’s unique and fresh voice and beautifully stylish artwork is absolutely perfect for this age group – and readers will love reading about Bad Nana’s deliciously naughty and brilliantly funny exploits.”

Sussex-based Henn has previously created various picture books and board books including Where Bear?, shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize in 2015, and the Pom Pom series (all published by Puffin), she was also selected as the WBD illustrator in 2015 and 2016.

She studied Fashion at Central Saint Martins, and enjoyed a career in advertising before completing an MA at University of Brighton in Illustration. She described how her former career encouraged her to concentrate on “sparsity” in children's illustration in a blog for The Bookseller in 2014.