Cole and Bitskoff team up for Hachette Children’s series

Hachette Children’s Group (HCG) has acquired a series about a character called Adventure Duck by Steve Cole, illustrated by Aleksei Bitskoff.

Commissioning editor Sarah Leonard acquired world rights to a three-book series, about a duck who receives superpowers from a meteor, from Philippa Milnes-Smith at Lucas Alexander Whitley. 

The first book Adventure Duck vs Power Pug will be published in April 2019, followed by Adventure Duck vs. Armadillo Army in August 2019 and the third in January 2020.

Cole, whose previous books include Magic Ink! (Simon & Schuster Children’s), Secret Agent Mummy (Red Fox) and the Young Bond series (also Red Fox), said: "With Adventure Duck I've gone all out for fun and silliness with superhero thrills and action. Aleksei's artwork and the book design are so engaging, I love how vividly they bring this world to life.”