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Macmillan Children’s Books has acquired Land of the Last Wildcat, the first in an adventure series from the FAB Prize-winning Lui Sit.
Emma Jones, publishing director at Macmillan Children’s Books, bought world all-language rights in two books from Becky Bagnell at Lindsay Literary Agency.
The two-part series will launch with Land of the Last Wildcat, illustrated by David Dean, in paperback original on 1st May 2025 and will be Macmillan Children’s Books lead middle-grade debut for 2025, with the sequel to follow in 2026.
Macmillan explained that the series is "gripping and fast-paced" and is for a core middle-grade audience, but is "short and accessible enough to appeal to younger and less confident readers too".
Jones said: “At a time when young readers are increasingly craving fast-paced, accessible stories, we are delighted to bring to our list the immensely talented Lui Sit and her unique brand of adventure and magic. Land of the Last Wildcat is as adventurous as it is warm-hearted, the story of an irresistible wildcat with a charming thread at its core of family, friendship and the importance of our natural world.”
Sit said: “This book is for all the kids who looked after themselves because their parents had to work – and in doing so had incredible adventures.”
Bagnell added: “Lui Sit is a writer whose characters take hold of your heart and live with you long after reading those final lines."
Lui Sit was born in Hong Kong, raised in Australia and lives in London. She has worked in the arts, education, publishing and charity sectors. Previously, she won the FAB Prize in 2022 with an earlier version of the book.