Farshore snaps up four books in 'pick your own adventure series' by Coyle and Walker-Parker

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Farshore has snapped up four books in an “immersive” new ‘pick your own adventure’ series aimed at pre-schoolers written by Sarah Coyle and illustrated by Adam Walker-Parker. 

Melissa Fairley, publishing director, signed world rights for the Pick a Story series from Eve White at Eve White Literary Agency, while Harriet Rogers, deputy art director, bought illustration rights from Chloe Morgan at Plum Pudding Agency.  

Each book includes three stories with multiple worlds and many possible story arcs. The first in the series, Pick a Story: A Pirate, Alien, Jungle Adventure, will publish in August 2022. The second book will follow in January 2023. 

Alison David, consumer insight director, said the series will “excite” children by providing them with a choice. “Children are very motivated by having control and this is why they love to choose the book that is read to them. This new series will thrill them all the more; by being able to choose the story arc they will have a strong sense of control and agency – this is so inspiring and exciting, perfect for engaging young children with reading for pleasure,” she said. 

Farshore said the series will launch with a “huge” interactive marketing and PR campaign, with a series of events for young readers as well as video trailers where viewers decide the ending. 

Coyle said: “It has been an absolute joy to work with Farshore on Pick a Story. I am thrilled to hand the reins of narrative control to our youngest readers, giving them real ownership over the stories they explore. Adam’s wonderful illustrations glow with a warmth, humour and charm that will have children utterly absorbed by the multiple adventures on offer. I hope that by packing so many exciting possible paths and activities into thirty-two pages, Pick a Story will snag the curiosity and engagement of little minds and their carers alike.  

“I love the empowerment of pick your own adventure stories. I always had to complete every single possible pathway to build the richest, most vivid world I could. It fills me with delight that we are giving our very youngest readers the chance to do the same. I can’t wait to discover which choices are the most popular.”