Reeve and McIntyre move to David Fickling for new series

David Fickling Books has signed a new four-book series, Adventuremice, from author-illustrator duo Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre.

Liz Cross, publishing and managing director at DFB, acquired world rights from Jodie Hodges at United Agents for McIntyre and Philippa Milnes Smith at the Soho Agency for Reeve. The pair have previously worked together on a number of titles for OUP Children’s, where Cross was formerly head of children’s publishing, including Pugs of the Frozen North, Roly-Poly Flying Pony and Oliver and the Seawigs.

Adventuremice sees a tiny mouse set off in search of excitement only to become swept up in the escapades of the Adventuremice – a brave, determined team that keeps the Mouse Islands safe from danger. The illustrated fiction series is aimed at children aged five to seven.

Explaining the inspiration behind their new books, Reeve and McIntyre said: “Back in 2020, Sarah McIntyre started making paintings of mice setting out on all the adventures she couldn’t have herself because of lockdown. We soon decided that these brave mice with their seaplanes, ships and other modes of transport deserved their own stories. That’s how we came to write about the Adventuremice.” They added: “We’re squeaking with excitement at the prospect of introducing young readers to the world of the Mouse Islands, where our tiny heroes venture forth from their Mousebase to save the day whenever danger threatens.”

Cross said: “In Adventuremice, Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre have created a whole thrilling world that children are going to fall in love with and want to return to again and again. With an irresistibly kind-hearted hero, a whole team of intrepid adventurers, and all the trademark Reeve and McIntyre detail and invention, all beautifully illustrated in stunning full colour, Adventuremice is filled with pretty much as much fun as you can pack into a book!”

DFB will publish the first two titles in the series in paperback in spring 2023.