Candlewick nets Klassen's 'deliciously spooky' children's book

Walker Books imprint Candlewick Press has snapped up The Skull, a book for older readers by bestselling picture-book creator Jon Klassen.

Executive editorial director and associate publisher Liz Bicknell acquired world rights to the book from Steve Malk at Writers House.

Based on a classic folktale that Klassen discovered while browsing in a library in Alaska, The Skull is described as a "deliciously spooky and surprisingly moving" story of an unexpected friendship between Otilla, and a skull that inhabits a big house deep in the woods. "The spare dialogue, tenderhearted darkness, and deadpan humor are all quintessential Klassen, and the longer format (112 pages) allows his impeccable pacing and suspense-building to shine," the synopsis states.

Bicknell, who has edited all of Klassen’s book projects, said: “It is truly exciting to see Jon branching out into a different format, this time for slightly older readers, while maintaining his trademark wit and edge.”

Klassen has achieved both critical and commercial success, with more than five million books printed in 27 languages, worldwide, according to the publisher. His most recent picture book, The Rock from the Sky, published in April 2021 was a number one New York Times bestseller and a Barnes & Noble Book of the Year, among other accolades. This Is Not My Hat, published in 2012, became the first book to receive both the Caldecott Medal and the Kate Greenaway Medal.

An extensive marketing campaign for the new release is planned.