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Bloomsbury Children’s Books has acquired three new picture books with world rights, ahead of Frankfurt Book Fair.
Meesha Makes Friends by Tom Percival will publish in the UK in July 2020. World rights in text and illustrations were bought from Mandy Suhr at Miles Stott.
Percival's latest book explores the joys and difficulties of making friends, navigating social situations and understanding how to be accepting and inclusive of others. Percival's previous titles in the series - including Perfectly Norman, Ruby's Worry and Ravi's Roar - have sold in 16 languages worldwide.
"Meesha loves making things but she finds it difficult to make friends. She doesn’t know what to do, what to say or when to say it. But, one day, Meesha discovers that she has a special talent that will allow her to navigate challenging social situations and help her to make friends," reads the synopsis.
In August 2020, Bloomsbury Children's will publish She-Rex by Michelle Robinson and Deborah Allwright. World rights in text were bought from James Catchpole at The Catchpole Agency, and in illustrations from Claire Cartey at Holroyde Cartey.
"A refreshing challenge to the gender stereotyping of children’s toys, She-Rex is a chomping, clomping dinosaur stomp that proves that dino toys are for girls and boys," said the publisher. "Award-winning author Michelle Robinson and bestselling illustrator Deborah Allwright come together in an exciting new partnership to introduce She-Rex: a big and burly, multi-coloured dino girly who’s about to show the world that she’s as fierce and as loud as any boy dinosaur."
Allwright's previous Bloomsbury title, There Is No Dragon In This Story, has sold in 19 languages worldwide.
Completing the trip of deals is Katerina Kerouli's debut, Roar. World rights in text and illustrations were bought from Christine Isteed at Artists Partners. Roar will publish in the UK in October 2020.
Roar takes the reader "on a noisy, fun-packed safari in this visually striking, uber-stylish lift-the-flap picture book," said Bloomsbury Children's. "With giant lift-the-flap animal heads on every spread, children will love roaring, hissing, snapping and growling along in this unique, larger-than-life introduction to animal noises."
Head of children’s rights, Flavia Esteves said: “The Bloomsbury picture book list continues to inspire and empower children around the world with titles published in over 40 languages. Through engaging storytelling and vibrant artwork, our books tell stories that are beautiful and relatable in equal measure, driving our enduring international success.”