Elephant picture book from Giraffes Can't Dance team

Hachette Children’s has landed a new picture book from Giles Andreae and illustrator Guy Parker-Rees to mark 20 years of Giraffes Can’t Dance.

Editorial director for picture books & gift Frances Elks signed world rights to Elephant Me from Jodie Hodges at United Agents for Giles Andreae and Hilary Delamere at The Agency for Guy Parker-Rees. The book will be published in hardback in May 2020.

According to the synopsis: “Elephant Me tells the story of Num-Num, a little elephant who is trying to find his place in the world. It’s the Elephant Games, and one by one, the young elephants compete to impress King Elephant Mighty and earn their Elephant Name. Nina is the strongest, so she becomes Elephant Strong. Norcus is the loudest, so he becomes Elephant Noisy. Num-Num feels like he will never discover his own special talent – until he learns that the very best thing you can be is yourself.”

Elks said: “Twenty years on from the publication of the classic Giraffes Can’t Dance, we’re hugely excited to announce this new book from Giles and Guy. This is the perfect picture book for our times: an uplifting story that encourages us all to celebrate exactly who we are.”

Andreae said: “I’m extremely excited to be working with Guy again on a brand new story about one very special elephant indeed!”

Parker-Rees added: “I’ve always been obsessed with elephants. So imagine my joy to be working with Giles again on such a beautiful, life-affirming story – that’s all about elephants!”

Giraffes Can’t Dance was first published by HGC imprint Orchard Books in 1999 and has been translated into 34 languages to date. Earlier this autumn, the publisher announced a full publicity campaign for the book’s 20th anniversary and plans to adapt the story into a stage show.