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John Boyne writes first picture book for Puffin
Puffin is delighted to announce the acquisition of The Dog Who Danced on the Moon, the “heart-warming” debut picture book written by bestselling author John Boyne with illustrations by Belfast-based artist Ashling Lindsay.
Publisher Joe Marriott acquired world rights in the text from Simon Trewin and world rights in the illustrations, alongside Clare Doughty, deputy art director, from Susan Penny at The Bright Agency. It is scheduled for publication on 4th July 2024.
First published as a poem in The Puffin Book of Big Dreams, Boyne has expanded his original story into a “heart-warming... powerful and moving space adventure about friendship and self-belief, inspiring readers to follow their dreams and reach for the stars", Puffin said.
The blurb reads: “There once was a boy called Jeremy Grace who had a remarkable interest in space. With a little help from his dancing dog, Maxwell, soon Jeremy’s wildest dreams of space exploration are coming true. But when their out-of-this-world odyssey becomes a comet catastrophe, will friendship, daring and a little bit of dancing be enough to save planet Earth?”
Marriott said: “The Dog Who Danced on the Moon is a moving, funny and inspiring story about the power of believing in yourself and the magic of friendship. It’s a timeless tale for readers of three and up, brought to dazzling life through exquisite illustrations from talented rising star Ashling Lindsay.”
Boyne commented: “Writing for young readers has proved one of the most emotionally rewarding aspects of my publishing career, so I’m thrilled to publish my first picture book for the youngest readers of all. I wrote The Dog Who Danced on the Moon to empower children and let them know that all their ambitions, no matter how outlandish, are achievable. Especially if your best friend is a dog.”
Lindsay added: “I loved the idea of achieving your dreams against the odds, and when I read the text, I had ideas about how the book might look straight away. I began with painterly brush strokes, bright pinks and graphic shapes. I wanted the space scenes to be beautiful and to feel like these were actual events that happened, but also for the art to be playful and exist somewhere between observation and imagination.”
Boyne is the author of 16 novels for adults, six for younger readers, and a collection of short stories. He has won four Irish Book Awards along with numerous other international literary prizes. His novels are published in 60 languages, making him the most translated Irish writer of all time.
Lindsay is an Irish artist and writer from Belfast who has illustrated several books and her first authored picture book, An Unexpected Thing, was published by Quarto in 2022.
