Andersen Press unveils fifth book in Coelho and Lumbers’ Luna Loves series

Andersen Press will release Luna Loves Christmas, the fifth book in the award-winning Luna Loves series by Waterstones Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho and illustrator Fiona Lumbers, in September 2023.

Picture book editorial director Sue Buswell acquired world rights to the book as part of a two-book deal, with text from Coelho via his agent Caroline Sheldon of Caroline Sheldon Associates, and illustrations from Lumbers via her agent Jodie Hodges at United Agents. Translation rights deals have already been sold in the USA and Denmark for Luna Loves Christmas.

Since first publishing Luna Loves Library Day in 2017 the series has culminated in a Libraries Week collaboration with CILIP, it was a World Book Day £1 book in 2021, and it was gifted to every three year old in Scotland through Scottish Book Trust’s Bookbug programme.

Luna Loves Library Day has also been adapted as a musical for children and families by Little Seeds Music and Z-arts. The book will be adapted by Coelho alongside musician and composer David Gibb. Also confirmed for the creative team are director Dermot Daley, and designer Nomi Everall. 

Translation rights for the Luna Loves series have been sold in a total of 12 territories so far including the USA according to the publisher. Next year will also see even more Luna publishing, with Luna Loves Gardening slated for spring 2024.

The publisher says: “In this book we see Christmas from the perspective of a separated family, our heroine Luna sharing Christmas time at her mum’s and her dad’s; she gets two trees, two dinners, two advent calendars to open, but this Christmas, Luna’s family are doing something different. 

“They’re volunteering, and Luna can’t wait for them to all be together at the community Christmas dinner! Luna Loves Christmas also features a die-cut book-in-a-book insert with a festive tale that Luna reads with Mrs Pothers, a local resident and recipient of a community Christmas box.”

Coelho said: “I have long been thinking about what Luna’s Christmas might be like and what magic might unfold. It’s been a joy creating a story that reflects on how Christmases and Festive traditions may look and feel different for families out there, and how community spirit and giving can enrich everyone’s experience. As always Fiona’s gorgeous artwork completely brought the whole book to life for me. It’s a book full to the rafters with Christmas spirit from snowball fun to Christmas trees, carolling to Christmas dinners, presents and of course goodwill and cheer, I can’t wait to share this story with everyone.”

Buswell commented: “Every time a new Luna story lands on our desks we are enormously excited. Joseph has created a world of acceptance, wonder and enquiry that is complimented so beautifully by Fiona Lumbers’ astounding, inclusive illustrations. I am sure that many families out there will find aspects of their own Christmas traditions within Luna Loves Christmas, but we also hope it opens up conversations for families to talk about and explore how others may spend the festive period.”