Faber drifts off with 'sumptuous' bedtime anthology

Faber is to publish a collection of bedtime stories by award-winning authors, such as Ingrid Persaud, Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Kieran Larwood, alongside debut talent and with illustrations by Sarah McIntyre.

Publisher Leah Thaxton acquired world rights to The Faber Book of Bedtime Stories, which will publish on 6th October 2022.

Illustrated by McIntyre, the book will feature courageous and positive stories, Faber said. Other contributors include Emma Carroll, Natasha Farrant and Kate Saunders. Their tales are featured alongside debut authors Ayesha Braganza and Reba Khatun, and FAB Prize alumni Aisha Bushby, Hannah Lee, Michael Mann and Lucy Farfort.

"This sumptuous Faber anthology is a future classic," Thaxton said. "Bringing together a selection of Faber’s favourite bestselling authors and a host of rising stars, the collection mirrors the world children actually experience today. The challenge was to fill readers with optimism and hope for a good night’s sleep, to build empathy and resilience in the face of adversity and to root stories in the magic of friendship and the natural world. We are so very proud to see this stunning collection come to life, complemented by exquisite, hand-painted art from the legendary Sara McIntyre."

Persaud, who is making her first foray into children’s writing with the anthology,  said: "To have the opportunity to write my first children’s story for this stellar anthology is a dream come true."

"I’m delighted to be part of this project, bringing together so many different authors and making so many pictures," McIntyre said. "I’ve never made this many illustrations for a book before–well over 200. I hope lots of children and adults enjoy looking at them, whether cosily reading together before bed, or by the light of a torch under the covers. Thank you to all the authors for your stories and to Emma Eldridge [art director] at Faber for helping me figure out where all the pictures can fit in most beautifully."

Sirdeshpande added: "Filled with joyous art and uplifting stories, this bedtime anthology is an absolute delight and I’m so very proud to be a part of it, together with so many amazing creators. It’s a richly diverse story collection for cosy evenings and one to treasure."