Scheffler's Pip and Posy to be animated

TV company Magic Light has optioned another Axel Scheffler series, this time the Pip and Posy picture books published by Nosy Crow.

Several of the illustrator’s previous books - The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom, Stick Man and The Highway Rat (those all written by Julia Donaldson) - have already been turned into Magic Light animations, with "The Highway Rat" attracting nearly eight million viewers on its Christmas Day premier in 2017. "Pip and Posy" will be, however, the company's first preschool animated series. 

The Pip and Posy picture book series is about two toddlers who are best friends. It was conceived and is written by Camilla Reid, Nosy Crow’s editorial director.

Scheffler said he was “very happy” to strike another deal with Magic Light. “I have already had such a positive experience of the way they combine respect for the original books on which they base their animation with a deep understanding of their audience.”

Magic Light co-founder Michael Rose added: “Axel Scheffler has created a charming, colourful world full of funny and lovable characters that perfectly capture the emotional ups and downs that young children experience. We’re really excited to be bringing them to life on screen."

Scheffler is one of the UK’s most successful illustrators. In 2017 he achieved value sales of £9.5m and volume sales of 2,118,159, according to The Bookseller’s illustrator chart. He had more books than any other artist in the top 20 and his biggest hit of 2017 was Postman Bear (Macmillan Children’s Books), a collaboration with Donaldson.

According to Nosy Crow, sales of the seven Pip and Posy titles have surpassed one million copies worldwide.