Farshore acquires three 'pacy, accessible and collectible' middle-grade adventures from Taylor-Bessent

Farshore has acquired three new middle-grade titles by Mel Taylor-Bessent.

Lucy Courtenay, senior commissioning editor, acquired world all-language rights with Caroline Sheldon of Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency. Ryan Hammond, senior designer at Farshore, commissioned illustrations from Alessandro D’Urso from Rosie Barlow at Astound Agency.

The first book in the deal, described as “pacy, accessible and collectible” and scheduled for publication on 4th July 2024, is Race to Imagination Island, “full of excitement, friendship and humour, where imagination unlocks a whole world". The publisher describes it as “perfect for even the most reluctant reader". Books two and three will follow in 2025 and 2026.

The synopsis for the first book reads: “The time has come for four children to be named the new Protectors of Imagination Island. Children all over the world scour the globe in search of portals to the magical island where anything they imagine comes to life. To become a Protector, they must compete in teams and complete a series of challenges to prove they have what it takes. But not everyone will make it to the next level, and the last person to reach the checkpoint will be transported back home immediatel…

“Dreamy 10-year-old Luca stumbles into the last portal by accident. He is terrified of everything on Imagination Island. If he can just come last in the race, he’ll be sent home. But perhaps losing isn’t really what he wants at all?”

Courtenay said: “Mel is a middle-grade megastar, and we’re overjoyed to have signed her up for three more books with Farshore. Race to Imagination Island is pacy, accessible and collectible. It’s time to put your imaginations to work, and let the race begin…”

Taylor-Bessent said: “Race to Imagination Island is the culmination of everything I loved when I was a child. It’s full of magic and mayhem, daring challenges and adventurous kids. You’ll find snotball mammoths, monster trucks, river yetis, a train made from skateboards, a spinning map room, magical storms, a neon jungle, and a two-chapter rap battle with a sword-slinging sloth in the first book alone.”

Sheldon added: “Race to Imagination Island is brimming with pace, adventure, magic, fantasy and I can’t wait for children to hold a copy in their hands.”