'Queer Eye' star Jonathan Van Ness to publish début picture book with HarperCollins

HarperCollins has scooped the début picture book from “Queer Eye” star Jonathan Van Ness about a gender non-binary guinea pig.

Peanut Goes for the Gold, illustrated by Gillian Reid, will be published in the UK on 2nd April 2020 after the publisher acquired world rights.

The synopsis explains: "Peanut has their own way of doing things; whether they’re cartwheeling during basketball practice or eating banana pancakes on their birthday, Peanut is just Peanut even if others don’t always understand their style. So when they decide to become a rhythmic gymnast, they come up with a routine that they know is absolutely perfect, because it is absolutely, 100% Peanut."

Van Ness said: "Growing up, the things that made me unique were not always celebrated, and I wanted to do something that would inspire kids to celebrate the things that make them special. With that being said, I’m so excited to announce my début children’s book, Peanut Goes for the Gold, an inspiring story of a guinea pig rhythmic gymnastics prodigy."

Executive editor David Linker added: "Having had the opportunity to work with Jonathan Van Ness on Peanut Goes for the Gold has truly been a dream come true. He’s an absolute inspiration. Just like Peanut, Jonathan embodies the idea that no dream is impossible when you put your whole heart into it, and I’m so thrilled to have had the opportunity to help Jonathan translate that spirit into his amazing first-ever book for kids."