Alison Green Books to publish 'evocative and heartfelt' book from Julia Donaldson

Alison Green Books has acquired the rights to Paper Chase, a new book from Julia Donaldson with illustrations by Victoria Sandøy. Described by the publisher as “evocative and heartfelt”, the book will publish in September 2025. 

Publisher Alison Green secured world rights to the text from Caroline Sheldon at the RCW Literary Agency. Rights to the illustrations were acquired from Jodie Hodges at United Agents. 

The synopsis reads: “Under a tree, a boy with a book and girl with a paper plane meet and play over the course of a wonderful day. Then they are parted – perhaps never to meet again. Soon their tree is felled and starts a new journey to become paper to make hundreds of different things… including a book for a girl and a pad for a boy. Can a new paper plane find its way to reunite the friends again?”

“Having spent a lifetime reading books and filling notepads with my writing, I have always been struck by the remarkable journey of paper from tree to page… or box, envelope or letter,” said Donaldson. “I hope children will enjoy following my paper chase through the young life of two friends and the legacy of their very special tree.”

In 2020, Alison Green paired the author with Sandøy for The Christmas Pine, which was shortlisted for the British Book Award for Illustrated Children’s Books. The pair also collaborated The Oak Tree (Alison Green Books), which was published in 2023. 

Speaking about their upcoming title, Sandøy commented: “I’m so happy and humbled to be working with Julia and Alison again on this wonderful story. Julia’s lovely rhyme really speaks to me and awakens fond, childhood memories of playing in the forest next to my house. Not to mention filling sheets and sheets of paper with drawings, which helped me on my journey to be an illustrator today.”
Alison Green added: “Once again, Julia has written a story in her unrivalled rhyme which feels both timeless and highly original. Children will be captivated by her tender tale of friendship and the journey of paper which brings the children’s story full circle. We can’t wait to see Victoria’s beautiful and detailed artwork bring Paper Chase to vivid life.”