Magic Cat signs picture book with Robert Macfarlane and Johnny Flynn 

Magic Cat has acquired rights to a new illustrated children’s picture book, The World to Come, co-penned by Robert Macfarlane and actor-musician Johnny Flynn. The book will be illustrated by Emily Sutton. 

Jenny Broom, co-founder of Magic Cat, acquired world rights to the text from Jessica Woollard at David Higham and Rose Cobbe at United Agents. The book will release in hardback in October 2024. 

The World to Come is described as a “lyrical” story which “follows a father and son who journey through every season – along the way spotting owl and otter, blackbird and silver birch – until, together, they discover a world to come”. The publisher said: “Filled with hope, the book evokes the wonder of nature and showcases a mastery of words and rhythm.” 

The story began as a song, written as part of Macfarlane and Flynn’s collaborative album, "Lost in the Cedar Wood", which was created during lockdown and released in 2021. 

Macfarlane and Flynn said: "It’s been such a joy to watch our song take fresh flight in this new form, brought so beautifully to life on the page by the illustrations of an artist whose work we’ve both loved for years." 

Sutton said: “Johnny and Robert’s rich and sensitive text immediately drew me in; it’s been a total joy to immerse myself in the magic of the natural world they describe so perfectly.” 

Broom said: “This is the book of a lifetime to work on; it has the feel of an instant classic. It’s a stunning piece of poetic writing with a deep love of nature and brings a much-needed message of hope to children and parents everywhere.”