Bloomsbury brings dinosaur tale to Frankfurt

A picture book about a girl who loves dinosaurs is one of Bloomsbury Children’s key titles at this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair.

The Girl and the Dinosaur, by writer Hollie Hughes and illustrator Sarah Massini, is about a girl called Marianne who digs for dinosaur bones on the beach to build her own companion. At night, she goes to sleep wishing that her dinosaur might come to life.

Commissioning editor Polly Whybrow acquired world rights in all languages from Hughes’ agent Jodie Hodges (of United Agents) and Massini’s agent Eunice McMullen.

“The Girl and The Dinosaur is one of those very rare and special books where the words and pictures take you on a magical journey far beyond the page,” said Whybrow. “With a reputation for publishing quality picture books that stand the test of time, we’re thrilled and very proud to have this on the Bloomsbury list.”

Bloomsbury will publish in hardback in September 2019 with a paperback edition following in July 2020.