Frances Lincoln commissions Greta Thunberg-inspired picture book

Frances Lincoln Children's Books has commissioned a fictionalised picture book from Zoë Tucker and illustrator Zoë Persico, inspired by young climate activist Greta Thunberg.

Greta and the Giants will be published as a paperback on 19th November, telling the story of “a little girl who lives in a beautiful forest threatened by Giants until there is hardly any forest left.”

The publisher explained: “The animals beg her to do something. But how can one little girl be heard when the giants seem so powerful? Told as an allegory, an additional section at the back includes information about Greta Thunberg’s life, how readers can help her in her fight against the giants, as well as notes for teachers and parents.”

Quarto will donate 3% of the cover price to Greenpeace and the book, approved by Thunberg’s team, will be printed on 100% recycled paper and as locally as possible for its markets.

It is written by Tucker, a picture-book art director and designer who has worked with artists including Lizzy Stewart, Axel Scheffler, Nick Sharratt and Helen Stephens. The book was commissioned by publisher Katie Cotton.

She said: “As soon as I read this wonderful text, I knew we had to have it on our list. Frances Lincoln Children’s Books has a unique ethos of creating books for children about the issues that matter today, and I can’t think of another issue more pressing than the climate crisis. We are very excited to spread Greta’s message and make it accessible to younger readers all over the world through this imaginative, beautifully illustrated picture book.”