HCG scoops 'compelling' second title from Millwood Hargrave and de Freston

Hachette Children’s Group has scooped a second standalone title from Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Tom de Freston, authors of Julia and the Shark, which won Waterstones’ Children’s Gift of the Year 2021. 

Rachel Wade, editorial director, secured world rights, including audio, to Leila and the Blue Fox in a deal made with Hellie Ogden at Janklow & Nesbit. It will be published in a deluxe hardback edition, which will feature two-colour blue and black illustrations throughout and tracing paper inserts, by Orion Children’s Books on 13th October.  

Leila and the Blue Fox is said to channel the heart and courage of Julia and the Shark, turning its attention to the icy tundra of the Arctic Circle. It is based on the true story of an Arctic fox who walked from Norway to Canada in 76 days, a distance of 2,000 miles, and is described by the publisher as a “compelling, emotional and beautifully illustrated story perfect for 9+ readers”. 

The synopsis states: “Fox crosses ice and snow, through mountains and across frozen oceans, encountering bears and birds beneath the endless daylight of an Arctic summer, navigating a world that is vast, wild and wondrous. Meanwhile, Leila embarks on a journey of her own–finding her way to the mother who left her. On a breathtaking adventure across the sea, Leila rediscovers herself and the mother she thought she’d lost, with help from a determined little fox.” 

Wade said: “Children and parents alike fell in love with Julia and the Shark when it published last autumn. The captivating illustrations, the thrilling adventure and the important themes explored–complex family dynamics, mental health, and the power and beauty of our natural world–resulted in huge sales and rights success. Over 18,000 copies sold through the TCM and 12 rights deals have been secured, firmly establishing Kiran and Tom as an exciting new creative duo. They have triumphed once more with Leila and the Blue Fox–an entirely different book but one with the same warmth, depth and importance as its predecessor–and we couldn’t be prouder to publish it.” 

Millwood Hargrave and de Freston added: “From the moment we heard the story of the Arctic fox who crossed a continent, we knew we’d found a story that would capture our hearts. Through expansive art and sparse words, we’ve traced the true and extraordinary tale of this tiny creature and her struggle to survive. But the real surprise for us was Leila, a girl displaced by war to London, who finds herself again on uncertain ground when she visits her scientist mother in Norway for the summer.  

“We’ve loved creating this story about unusual families, migration, wildness and the wonders of the natural world. We hope readers will fall in love with our Leila and the Blue Fox.”