Isla Fisher to publish picture book series with Welbeck Flame

Welbeck Flame has acquired three picture books written by actress and comedian Isla Fisher and illustrated by Paula Bowles.

Jane Harris, group publisher for Welbeck Children’s, made the deal for world rights in Fisher's text with Stephanie Thwaites at Curtis Brown. The first in the series, Mazy the Movie Star, will be published in the UK on 12th May 2022.

The series will follow Mazy, a character inspired by Fisher’s own dog, and is set in "Hollywoof", a version of Hollywood populated entirely by dogs. While other dogs chase sticks at the park, Mazy chases her acting dreams—until one day her agent delivers bad news. They are only giving acting jobs to pedigree dogs now. Can Mazy embrace what it is that makes her special and find her perfect role? 

Fisher said: "I am very excited about Mazy the Movie Star, which is based on our very own glamorous pooch. Mazy desperately wants to be something other than herself, a pedigree, in order to get better acting roles in Hollywoof. Mazy learns, with the help of her furry friends, that she’s perfect just the way she is and stands up for mutts all around the world!"

Harris said the "hilarious" series "illustrates wonderfully the underlying theme so important to young children, to always be themselves. A message not just for children but for us all, told in Isla’s original comedic voice that resonates loud and clear. I am still chuckling!"

Fisher, who is best known for her role in "The Wedding Crashers", is the author of four children's books, all published with Piccadilly Press: Marge in Charge (2019), Marge and the Secret Tunnel (2018), Marge and the Great Train Rescue (2017) and Marge and the Pirate Baby (2017).