Otter-Barry Books scoops 'timeless' story from Morris and Fisher

Otter-Barry Books has scooped The Panda’s Child by Jackie Morris, illustrated by Cathy Fisher. 

Janetta Otter-Barry, founder and publisher, acquired world English language rights from Jessica Woollard at David Higham Associates. Otter-Barry Books will be showing early material at the Frankfurt Book Fair with publication due in autumn 2023. 

"A timeless fable with strong relevance to our times", The Panda’s Child explores powerful environmental and conservation themes. 

The synopsis reads: "It starts with a baby – lost, then found again, cared for by a she-panda in the bamboo forest. The panda is revered and protected by the villagers. But one day, when the baby is grown into a boy of nine, a band of men come. They are looking for a panda to present to the great Emperor Alexander. The villagers ignore them, and won’t help, but the hunters won’t give up and they capture another baby, the panda’s child. To the villagers’ dismay and anger, the boy offers to go with the hunters and the captive baby panda – but the boy has his own plan. One night, when the men wake from a drunken sleep, boy and panda are gone. Can the mighty power of the forest itself defend the boy and the panda and keep them safe?"  

Janetta Otter-Barry commented: "Otter-Barry Books is proud to publish this extraordinary, timeless story by Jackie Morris, with stunning paintings by Cathy Fisher. It will be a book for all ages to treasure." 

"Watching Cathy Fisher paint the images for The Panda’s Child was just wonderful," said Morris. "Each one has heart and soul poured into it. Together, I hope, we have made something beautiful.”

Fisher added: “It felt such an honour when Jackie Morris asked me to illustrate The Panda’s Child. It is such an inspirational story. I started painting pictures in Jackie’s home… a daunting process, knowing that Jackie’s art is so utterly beautiful. I then worked on the pictures every day in Australia and finished the artwork back in Pembrokeshire… painting in three locations for three exciting chapters.”