Nosy Crow bags joke book by Northern Irish comedian Hegarty 

Nosy Crow has acquired Let Me Tell You a Joke: A First Joke Book With Funny Pictures, an introductory joke book from Northern Irish stand-up comedian Sean Hegarty, illustrated by award-winning Jim Field.

Preparing for publication in July 2024, Rachel Kellehar and Manda Scott at Nosy Crow acquired world rights for jokes by Hegarty from Luke Chandley at Rush of Laughter and world rights for illustrations by Field from Jodie Hodges at United Agents.

The book, which includes 50 jokes, will be published as a small-format hardback gift book alongside free Stories Aloud audio featuring Hegarty’s advice on delivering comedy.

Described by the publisher as “sure to leave readers roaring with laughter and eager to put their comedy skills to the test”, Let Me Tell You a Joke is “the perfect gift for budding comedians to read alone or share with friends”.

Hegarty said: “A lot of blood (I got a paper cut shortly after writing the lion joke) and tears (of joy) have gone into making this amazingly funny book. There is something for everyone, from small kids, to adult kids, to traffic wardens. Why not impress your friends with some of the greatest jokes never told.”

Field added: “I’ve drawn a lot of things in my life, but at last, I got to draw a T-Rex with the hair of Farrah Fawcett thanks to Sean and Nosy Crow.”

Kellehar said: “This hilarious book is a fantastic introduction to the joy of telling jokes. Sean’s sense of humour and Jim’s riotously silly illustrations are sure to have the whole family chuckling.”