Rosen delivers new book to Andersen weeks after release from hospital

Michael Rosen is publishing a new short and funny fiction book with Andersen Press, to be illustrated by Tony Ross, called Rigatoni The Pasta Cat. 

Slated for spring 2022, the book is the eighth in a series of young fiction books, which already includes Hampstead the Hamster, Fluff the Farting Fish, Barking for Bagels, Bilal’s Brilliant Bee, Don’t Forget Tiggs, Choosing Crumble and Burping Bertha.

Rosen, 74, contracted Covid-19 in March and was in intensive care for 47 days; but, to Andersen Press' surprise, within weeks of his release from hospital, he had delivered the book's manuscript.

Charlie Sheppard, publishing director at Andersen, said: "We have always been proud to publish Michael and Tony in these brilliant, funny books for young readers, and after the past few months didn’t expect Michael’s text for some time – so to receive something so funny from him after everything he’s gone through is amazing – we can’t wait to publish and to continue celebrating this incredible duo on the Andersen list."

According to the press, sales of the Rosen and Ross' series spiked during lockdown, while sales of Ross' Little Princess book I Don’t Want to Wash My Hands also increased with rights selling in the US for the first time.