Seven-book deal for Nick East

Hachette Children’s Group (HCG) has signed a seven-book deal with author and illustrator Nick East.

East, who is currently on the HCG list as the illustrator of Simon Sock by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet, and the "Knock Knock" books by Caryl Hart, will write and illustrate two picture books as well as illustrate Dermot O’Leary’s second Toto the Ninja Cat title. He has also signed up to write and illustrate four books in a series called Agent Weasel, aimed at children aged 7+.                  

The deal for world rights was brokered between picture book publisher Emma Layfield, fiction editorial director Sarah Lambert and East’s agent, Heather Richards at Tallbean Illustration.

Layfield said: “We truly believe Nick East is one of the finest draughtsman of this generation. We are delighted to be publishing him both on the picture book list and on the fiction list here at Hodder Children’s Books, allowing each book to excel individually within a broad, long-term strategy. Nick already has a wonderful reputation in the picture book world, and we’re looking forward to introducing him to fiction readers with Agent Weasel.”