Artist Jeffers’ ‘powerful’ visual examination of the state of the world goes to HarperCollins Children’s

Artist and author Oliver Jeffers’ “powerful and thought-provoking visual examination of the state of the world”, entitled Begin Again, has been signed by HarperCollins Children’s Books.

World rights excluding the US, its dependencies, and the Philippines were acquired by Alice Blacker, picture books publisher, from Paul Moreton at Bell Lomax Moreton. Begin Again: The Story of How We Got Here and Where We Might Go is scheduled for publication in October 2023. It will be published concurrently in the US by Philomel, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

Featuring Jeffers’ “bold and iconic art”, the publisher says the book follows humankind on its journey through history, sharing profound, sometimes poignant, commentary on our present, and asking: where do we go from here?

Jeffers said: “I have come to believe that people are all, simply, a collection of stories. Those we are told, those told about us, but mostly those we tell both to others and ourselves. I think we are collectively realising that the antiquated stories, the old rules of how we conduct ourselves, are not fit for purpose in the way we want the world to be.

“So we must create new narratives and new systems that work for everybody. If this book can accomplish only one thing, I hope it is to dissuade indifference in anyone who reads it; inspires them to change the way they act, speak; and more importantly, the way they think about their role in an unknown future. I truly believe that future societal success relies on everyone—all individuals— telling the same collective selfless story.”

Blacker said: “As one of the most forward-thinking creators of our time, we have come to expect the unexpected from Oliver Jeffers—and never more so than with Begin Again. Oliver has created a profoundly affecting contemplation on humanity that will appeal to the broadest of readers—reflecting on where we have come from and where we are going. It is at once alarming and yet hopeful, thought-provoking and witty. We couldn’t be prouder to be publishing Oliver’s extraordinary book at HarperCollins.”

Oliver Jeffers is a visual artist and author working in painting, bookmaking, illustration, collage, performance and sculpture. His picture books include Here We Are and What We’ll Build (HarperCollins Children’s Books). Jeffers has been the recipient of numerous awards, including a New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award, Bologna Ragazzi Award, An Irish Book Award, a United Kingdom Literary Association Award, and two Emmy Awards for the Apple TV adaptation of Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth. He also recently received a Member of the Order of the British Empire Award (MBE) for his Services in Art.