HCCB to mark centenary of Judith Kerr's birth with publishing and promotion

HarperCollins Children’s Books is to hold a year-long celebration of publishing and promotional activity commemorating the centenary of Judith Kerr’s birth. 

The author, best known for The Tiger Who Came to Tea, Mog the Forgetful Cat and When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, died in 2019.  

A new edition of Kerr’s autobiography, Judith Kerr’s Creatures, A Celebration of Her Life and Work, will include a brand-new chapter written by her son, author Matthew Kneale, with a cover featuring a portrait by Kerr’s daughter, actor and artist Tacy Kneale. It will publish in hardback on 25th May 2023. 

Following on from her acclaimed audio version of When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, Tacy Kneale will also narrate books two and three in the semi-autobiographical trilogy of novels, with Bombs on Aunt Dainty released on 10th November 2022 in time for Armistice Day, and A Small Person Far Away released on World Refugee Day, on 20th June 2023. 

New publishing for the next generation of Kerr’s fans will also launch in the anniversary year, including The Tiger Who Came to Tea Activity Book, full of puzzles and colouring, games coming in February 2023 and a The Tiger Who Came to Tea Jigsaw Book, publishing in September 2023, in time for the gifting season. 

The stage production of "The Tiger Who Came to Tea" will tour extensively in 2023. There will also be a new stage adaptation of "Mog the Forgetful Cat", which will play to theatres in Bristol, Coventry, Salford and at The Old Vic in London with more venues to be announced. 

Seven Stories in Newcastle, home of the Judith Kerr archive, will host a series of events alongside its permanent Judith Kerr Exhibition which now includes Judith’s original kitchen, one of the iconic images in The Tiger Who Came to Tea. HarperCollins Children’s Books will also be launching a nationwide schools’ campaign to introduce children to the delights of reading Kerr’s stories. A full publicity and marketing campaign will run throughout 2023 and will include key brand partnerships. There will also be a major rebrand across the Judith Kerr social channels—www.tigermogandfriends.com—which will bring together all of her characters and host news regarding upcoming events, activity sheets and resources. 

Matthew Kneale said: “It felt a little wrong to try and add words to my mother’s account of her life and writings, which she had recounted so beautifully, yet it seemed important for her last years and books to be covered, and it was also a delight for me to look back and remember her. I was so lucky to have her as my mum.” 

Tacy Kneale added: "It has been a joy to record my mother’s wonderful novels, making her feel very close to me again, both as the character Anna and the author Judith Kerr. And of course, as mum.” 

Cally Poplak, executive publisher at HarperCollins Children’s Books, said: “Judith Kerr and her wonderful stories hold a unique and special place at the heart of children’s literature. We are honoured to work with Judith’s family to celebrate her centenary and continue to uphold her amazing legacy for generations to come.”