Bloomsbury Children’s Books scoops 'magical' picture book by Allende and Rodriguez

Bloomsbury Children’s Books has scooped the first book in a series from author Isabel Allende in her children’s publishing debut, illustrated by Los Angeles-based artist Sandy Rodriguez.

Perla: The Mighty Dog is inspired by the story of Allende’s own rescue dog and will be published in hardback in summer 2024, with books two and three to follow in 2025 and 2026 respectively. 

Editorial director Pari Thomson acquired UK and Commonwealth rights in the text and illustration from Alessandra Birch at Writers House on behalf of agents Johanna V Castillo (representing Allende) and Rebecca Sherman (representing Rodriguez). The Perla series will be published simultaneously in the US by Philomel (Penguin Random House).

Allende has received the PEN Center Lifetime Achievement Award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the USA’s highest civilian honour. In 2018, the author also received the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters from the National Book Foundation.

Bloomsbury is the publisher of Allende’s successful novels for adults, including her most recent novel, The Wind Knows My Name, which published on 6th June 2023.

Thomson said: “Isabel is a powerhouse of talent and creativity, and the whole Bloomsbury team fell in love with Perla from the moment this submission landed in our inboxes. 

"We are incredibly proud that we will continue to be the home of all of Isabel’s UK publishing, and that we’ll have the opportunity to publish her funny, magical, charming picture books alongside her internationally bestselling novels for adults. These are books that children – and their grown-ups! – are going to fall in love with.”

Allende added: "I love to share the adventures of Perla, the magic dog that lives with me, with children who like books and their parents. Perla is smart and funny; everybody falls in love with her (that’s one of her super powers).

"That happened to Sandy Rodriguez, who created the charming illustrations of Perla, her best friend Nico Rico and other people in her life. It’s great to be debuting my first children’s book with Bloomsbury!”