Balding’s sporty and ‘roaringly funny’ animal non-fiction book goes to Hachette Children’s Group

Hachette Children’s Group has acquired Animal All Stars: Incredible Facts, Stats and Stories from the Greatest Record-Breakers in the Animal World by Clare Balding, illustrated by The Boy Fitz Hammond.

Laura Horsley, publishing director at Wren & Rook, bought world rights from Eugenie Furniss, literary agent at 42. It will be published on 14th March 2024.

Balding’s first non-fiction book for children, Fall Off, Get Back On, Keep Going, was published by Wren & Rook in April 2021 and was shortlisted for the Sunday Times Children’s Sports Book of the Year.

Animal All Stars is described by the publisher as “a funny and fascinating book exploring what would happen if the animal kingdom had its own sporting extravaganza". “It contains mind-boggling facts and funny anecdotes that will make it a brilliant companion for celebrating a summer of sport in 2024,” the publisher says.

Anna Martin, senior commissioning editor at Wren & Rook said: “Clare’s commentary on this imaginary sports day for the animal world is both hilarious and fascinating, with amazing animal facts and the most unusual line-ups on the starting blocks that you’ll ever witness! It’s brilliant fun and an essential read for sports- and animal-mad kids."

Balding said: “I am thrilled to have the chance to combine my passions into the idea of all sorts of animals competing with each other in a huge sporting festival. In the natural world, size doesn’t matter as much as teamwork, focus and enthusiasm, and I really hope that children will enjoy reading about all the amazing Animal All Stars.”