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Hachette Children’s enchanted by Hardy-Dawson and Rabei’s bedtime lullaby
Hachette Children’s Group has acquired a debut picture book titled Moon Child by Yorkshire poet Sue Hardy-Dawson, illustrated by Carolina Rabei, whose own first picture book was nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal.
World rights in all languages were acquired by Emma Layfield, picture book development director, North, directly from the author, and from Millie Van Grutten at Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency on behalf of Carolina Rabei.
Described as “a fanciful flight through sleepy skies and calm seas to sow some magic wishing beans,” the title will be published in hardback in November 2023 and in paperback in March 2024.
Layfield said: “I am looking for exciting, regional voices of the highest quality and this is certainly Sue Hardy-Dawson! Sue’s enchanting, poetic voice lends itself wonderfully to this magical bedtime lullaby and Carolina Rabei’s enchanting illustrations take you straight to dreamland. A dream team for a dreamy book!”
Hardy-Dawson said she was “so excited” to be working with Layfield in Hachette’s Manchester office and said she hoped Moon Child “would bring many small children sweet dreams.”
Rabei added: “It was such a delight for me to illustrate Sue’s Moon Child. The moment I first read the text, it sparked ideas of the magical journey that Moon Child could take the sleeping children on. All of us, whether big or small, dream of flying and I think this picture book celebrates the freedom of imagination and creativity through dreams.”
