Ladybird snags rights to seven titles by YouTube education sensation Ms Rachel

Ladybird has acquired Ms Rachel and the Special Surprise, the début picture book by Rachel Accurso, also known as the YouTube teaching sensation Ms Rachel, illustrated by Monique Dong. 

Leanne Gill, publishing director at Penguin Random House Children’s Licensing, acquired UK, group and export rights to seven titles in the series, from Chris Angelilli, editor-in-chief and director of licensed publishing at Random House US.  

Ms Rachel and the Special Surprise is the first title and will be published by Ladybird on 3rd December 2024. More picture and novelty books will follow in 2025.  

Ms Rachel has 11m subscribers on YouTube. Fans of Ms Rachel will recognise characters and fun songs and lyrics from their favourite videos. 

Ms Rachel said: "I am so excited to announce my first picture book, Ms Rachel and the Special Surprise. Like our show, it encourages speech and learning through play, music, and research-based techniques. I can’t wait to share this story with you and your wonderful little ones."

Gill said: "I can think of no more wonderful addition to the Ladybird list than Ms Rachel! Her playful videos rooted in her expertise in language development for babies and toddlers chime perfectly with our own passion for creating fun and engaging books for every age and stage in the early years. We can’t wait to bring her love for the littles to life through our publishing!"