Macmillan Children’s Books snaps up 'laugh-out-loud' picture book series by Hazel Gardner and Nikki Dyson

Macmillan Children’s Books has snapped up Penguin and Pup, a "laugh-out-loud" picture book series from Hazel Gardner and Lollies-shortlisted Nikki Dyson.

World rights for the text were acquired by Grace Gleave, senior editor, and Samantha Smith, publisher of fiction, non-fiction and picture books at Macmillan Children’s Books, from Rachel Petty at The Blair Partnership. Illustrations in the highly commercial series were acquired directly from Dyson.

The four-part Penguin and Pup series will launch on 24th October 2024 with Penguin and Pup: The Perfect Christmas – a lead title for the publisher, which will be accompanied by a "comprehensive" marketing and publicity campaign. Moreover, Penguin and Pup: The Perfect Egg will then be published in February 2025, with two further books to follow at other key seasonal moments.

"Filled with chaos and comedy, this concept-led series is based on the interaction between two charming characters who have opposing personalities. A strong narrative formula carries through the series, with each book hinging on a ‘difference of opinion’ between the pair, and the inevitable hilarity that follows as a cautious Penguin and an excitable Pup try to find a compromise. With an equally strong visual identity, Penguin and Pup promises to have broad appeal."

Smith said: “Anyone who reads to a child knows how central laughter is to sparking a love of books and stories. This Penguin and Pup series, created by the brilliant Hazel Gardner and brought to visual life by the extraordinarily talented Nikki Dyson, is sure to be a bestselling series that keeps children and their grown-ups laughing for years to come."

Gardner added: "I’ve had so much fun exploring Penguin and Pup’s unlikely friendship and I’m happy they’ve found a happy home at Pan Macmillan. Penguin is pleased and Pup is going bananas to know they’ll be sharing their adventures with the world very soon."
Dyson commented: "I’m beyond excited to be illustrating Penguin and Pup. Hazel has written a witty, fun and engaging story, exploring acceptance and friendship between two different personality types. It’s been a joy to illustrate."