HCG acquires three-book series from Chan

Hachette Children's has acquired world rights to a new series from British Chinese author M Chan. The Tiger Warrior series is billed as a "thrilling" action-adventure series for children aged five to seven, steeped in East Asian folklore and mythology. 

Sarah Leonard, senior creative editor, acquired world rights in all languages, and TV and film rights from Chloe Seager at the Madeleine Milburn agency.

The first book in the deal, Tiger Warrior: Attack of the Dragon King, will follow Jack as he finds himself caught in the middle of an ancient battle between good and evil. The synopsis explains: "When Jack's grandpa gives him a magical jade coin, Jack finds out he is the new Tiger Warrior, and it's up to him to save the world! Luckily, Jack has the spirits of the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac to help him."

Leonard said: "I’m thrilled to welcome M Chan onto the HCG list with this brilliant series that combines action and adventure with a magical world full of creatures inspired by East Asian myth and legend. I’ve loved spending time in the Jade Kingdom with Jack and Princess Li, and I’m delighted that more of our readers will grow up seeing themselves represented in our books."

Chan commented: "Growing up, I didn't read any books with characters who were like me, so I became a writer to change that. Writing Tiger Warrior has been a lot of fun. I love the different personalities of the Zodiac animals and Jack's relationship with his grandfather. I want readers to see that British East Asian characters can have adventures too!"

Chan has previously had short stories published in Ladybird Tales of Superheroes (Ladybird, 2019) and Stories From Around the World (Scholastic, 2020). Her debut children's novel, Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths, will be published this summer by Piccadilly Press, under the author's full name, Maisie Chan.