HCG harnesses environmental trend with plastic pollution book

Hachette Children’s Group (HCG) has acquired a book about plastic pollution by author-illustrator Neal Layton.

In A Planet Full of Plastic Layton will describe where plastic comes from, why it doesn’t biodegrade and why that’s dangerous for animals and people. He will also give tips on how readers can help, for example by giving up straws or taking part in a beach clean.

The book will be illustrated by artwork from Layton and photographs from ocean conservation campaigner David Jones.

Debbie Foy, publishing director at Wren & Rook, an imprint of HCG, acquired world rights from Alison Eldred from Arena Illustration. She said: “Our world is drowning in plastic, and it’s a big problem. Neal’s lively text and ingenious art – which moves from amusing to heart-breaking with just a turn of the page – is the perfect way to introduce the plastic problem to some of our youngest readers and their parents. We firmly believe that you’re never too young to start caring about the planet.”

A Planet Full of Plastic will be published in June in hardback without using any plastics. A paperback edition will follow in September.