OUP snaps up The Night Zookeeper

Oxford University Press (OUP) Children’s has acquired a fiction series from the BAFTA-nominated creators of The Night Zookeeper, a digital platform which promotes children’s writing.

The first book Night Zookeeper: The Giraffes of Whispering Wood will be published in January 2018, with the second slated for August that year. The series is created by Joshua Davidson, m.d and developer of The Night Zookeeper, which is used by teachers globally to nurture children's writing and raise attainment levels.

Liz Cross, head of publishing at OUP Children's, bought world rights to four titles from digital game company Wonky Star Ltd following negotiation by Ingrid Selberg Consulting.

Aimed at readers aged seven and above, the books are set in the magical world of the Night Zoo, “a mysterious place full of strange animals”, with hero Will Rivers protecting them against the evil Lord of Nulth.

Davidson said: “The Night Zookeeper story is all about the boundless creativity of children. Our creative writing website is already adored by children in schools across the UK and the world, and I know that this series will inspire even more children to explore their endless imaginations and start creating their own stories."

Cross said: "The Night Zookeeper stories are a wonderful mix of epic adventure, lovable characters, sparky humour and a thrilling good-versus-evil struggle – all bound together with an irresistible array of magical animals. What’s not to like?"