HCG acquires Dr Ranj Singh's guide to puberty for boys

Hachette Children’s Group has acquired a "comprehensive" and "reassuring" guide to puberty for boys by NHS consultant paediatrician and TV presenter Dr Ranj Singh. 

How to Grow Up and Feel Amazing!: The No Worries Guide for Boys will be illustrated by David O’Connell and is due to publish in February 2021. World rights in the book and one other non-fiction title were signed in a deal between Liza Miller, managing editor for Wren & Rook, and K T Forster at K T Forster Literary Agency for Singh and with Jodie Hodges at United Agents for David O’Connell.

How To Grow Up and Feel Amazing!: The No Worries Guide for Boys will take a "holistic" approach to the topic, according to HCG, covering topics such as mental health and self-care, relationships, body confidence and healthy eating. Suitable for children aged 10+, the aim is to give readers "all the tools they need in order to cultivate resilience and learn how to take care of both body and mind as they navigate their way through puberty".

The second book will publish in February 2022.

Senior editor Sadie Smith said: "Acquired by Liza Miller (currently on maternity leave) for the Wren & Rook imprint, Hachette is incredibly proud to be publishing this all-encompassing guide to puberty for boys. Dr Ranj is loved by children and trusted by adults, and along with his wealth of experience as an NHS paediatric doctor, he brings kindness, empathy and personal anecdotes to the subject. How to Grow Up and Feel Amazing!... will equip boys with everything they need to navigate puberty and will give them the confidence to be the very best versions of themselves."

Dr Singh said: "I am over the moon to have had the opportunity to write a book for young people at a time when life can be so confusing and tricky. Growing up in today's world isn't easy and young boys are faced with so many challenges at this stage of their lives—their bodies, their minds, relationships with friends and family, the world around them, and so much more. It can be difficult to know where to start with it all! So, I want this book to give its readers the information, confidence and enthusiasm they need on that growing up journey. For some, How to Grow Up and Feel Amazing!... may be a starting point to find out more, for others it may be the friendly companion they need for some reassurance. This is the book I needed when I was growing up. I am hugely proud of it and can't wait for you to read it."

Singh is an NHS paediatrician and one of the resident doctors on ITV's "This Morning". He also co-created the CBeebies series "Get Well Soon", and co-presents ITV's prime-time "Save Money: Lose Weight" and "Save Money: Good Health". In 2020, he fronted "Dr Ranj: On Call", a weekly show aiming to galvanise the British nation into taking control of its physical and mental health.