Puffin acquires adventurous bedtime stories from Rhiannon Findlay

Puffin has acquired two Rhiannon Findlay picture books as part of a new bedtime series, including Don’t Disturb the Dragon, which will be Findlay’s first title under her own name.

Puffin acquired world rights in both text and illustrations. Joe Marriott acquired the text from Sam Copeland at Rogers, Coleridge & White while Monica Whelan acquired the illustrations from Becky Wilson at Plum Pudding. Siân Roberts will illustrate the new read-aloud adventures.

The publisher’s description reads: “Oh no – the Princess’s little brother has gone missing! Can you help her find him? A brilliantly interactive, rhyming read-aloud adventure before bedtime from the bestselling author of the Ten Minutes to Bed series. Tiptoe over, under, round and through the book, just . . . don’t disturb the dragon!”

Joe Marriott, publisher at Puffin, said: “The Ten Minutes to Bed series has helped millions of families worldwide with the bedtime routine: Rhiannon has a real genius for soothing, satisfying rhyme that is endlessly re-readable. Puffin is excited to be publishing her fantastic new series of immersive adventures with wind-down-to-sleep endings – bringing happy bedtimes to readers everywhere.”

Findlay, who writes the Ten Minutes to Bed series (Ladybird) under the name Rhiannon Fielding, said: “I am delighted to be working with the wonderful team at Puffin, and the talented Siân Roberts, to bring this brand new series to life. Packed full of twists, talons and very careful page turns, Don’t Disturb the Dragon has been a joy to write.”

Roberts said: "I’ve had so much fun illustrating Rhiannon’s text and I can’t wait to share what we’ve created!” Don’t Disturb the Dragon will be published in paperback on 22nd June 2023.