Child to illustrate feminist retelling of The Little Match Girl

Simon & Schuster Children’s has brought Lauren Child on board to illustrate The Little Match Girl Strikes Back, Emma Carroll’s "bold reinvention" of the Hans Christian Andersen tale.

Managing director Rachel Denwood acquired world rights in Child’s illustrations from Philippa Milnes-Smith at the Soho Agency. This follows S&S’ previously announced deal for two titles from Carroll, with world rights acquired from Jodie Hodges at United Agents, and with Lucy Pearse, editorial director, as the lead editor.

Simon & Schuster Children’s Books will be highlighting the book to international publishers at the Bologna Book Fair, with a deal for North American rights already agreed with Kate Fletcher at Candlewick in the US.

The Little Match Girl Strikes Back will be published as a  two-colour hardback on 15th September 2022. Aimed at readers 7+, it follows Bridie Sweeney, a Victorian match girl, who – with the help of a little magic – leads a protest of factory workers in their demands for better pay and conditions. It is inspired by the true story of the 1888 Match Girls’ strike and charts the power of their courage and unity.

Child is an award-winning artist and writer, and is the creator of characters including Clarice Bean, Charlie and Lola, Ruby Redfort and standalone picture books such as The New Small Person (Puffin) and That Pesky Rat (Orchard Books) She served as Children’s Laureate from 2017–19, and holds a CBE for services to literature. 

“In The Little Match Girl Strikes Back, Emma Carroll has beautifully merged fairy tale with fact, delivering a piece of history that has real resonance for us today," Child said. "Bridie’s story set me researching Annie Besant and her campaign with the match girls. It’s an extraordinary thing to see that someone’s conviction and belief in what is right, when shared with one person, then another and another, can bring about a movement. I was drawn to Emma’s text because of her descriptive and direct style, giving me the scope to illustrate in a way I haven’t before.”

“I wanted to reclaim the original Little Match Girl story and give the main character more agency, so that she learns from life, rather than having to sacrifice her own for others to learn from," Carroll added. "My Bridie is a resourceful, loyal and courageous young girl who stands up for what she believes in. To work on this story with Simon & Schuster and Lauren Child has been an incredible experience. I keep pinching myself!”

Denwood added: “When we first read The Little Match Girl Strikes Back, we were enthralled by Emma Carroll’s bold reinvention of the fairytale we thought we knew, and Lauren Child is simply the perfect illustrator to illuminate this striking story. She and Emma evoke place and time with care and great attention and bring a thoroughly modern twist to this story of Bridie, the little girl who breaks the confines of a classic and emerges triumphant. 

"Everyone at Simon & Schuster is inestimably proud to publish Emma and Lauren’s collaboration and we look forward to its launch with great excitement! No doubt their powerful new heroine will delight adults and children alike this Christmas, and for many years to come."