Templar scoops two titles from début picture book author Zeshan Akhter

Templar Books has plumped for two titles from début picture book author Zeshan Akhter⁠—the first  “a heartfelt celebration” of people’s names, their significance and the cultures they come from⁠—which will be illustrated by Åsa Gilland.

Amelia Warren, commissioning editor for picture books at the Bonnier Books UK imprint, bought world rights to My Name is a Gift, and a second title, from Alice Williams at Alice Williams Literary. World illustration rights for Gilland’s artwork were acqured from Susan McCabe at Lilla Rogers Studio. Three co-edition deals have been struck in France, Italy and with Simon & Schuster US.

Glaswegian Akhter studied zoology, has worked in nature conservation for over two decades and has written non-fiction for children, including The Bedtime Book of Animals (DK). My Name is a Gift, she said, stems from her experience of being Scottish of Pakistani heritage and a “desire for names, which are the first treasure we ever receive, to be understood and respected, no matter how different they appear”.

Jakarta-based Swede Gilland added that the “topic was close to my heart” as her two sons have “Swedish first names and Javanese middle names that carry deep significance but that they often have to spell and explain. I wanted to illustrate a family joyously celebrating their heritage…I hope a lot of parents and children of different backgrounds can relate to and enjoy this lovely book”.  

My Name is a Gift’s UK publication is slated for August 2024, with the second in the deal to follow next year.