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Quarto Kids triumphs in six-way auction for Bethan Woollvin’s new picture books
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, an imprint of The Quarto Group, has triumphed in a six-way auction for three new picture books from author-illustrator Bethan Woollvin.
Publisher Peter Marley acquired world rights to These Are My Rocks, billed as “a fantastically funny and emotive picture book that celebrates children’s love of collecting”, from Paul Moreton, of Bell Lomax Moreton, in a three-book deal. These Are My Rocks will publish in summer 2025.
Marley said: “When the team and I read These Are My Rocks, we instantly started to recall and share our childhood memories of, and our own children’s love of, collecting toy cars, marbles, stamps, leaves (for use in magic potions), buttons, sticks (wands), seashells, feathers, rocks… you name it. We have all long-admired Bethan’s work and now, in her distinctive style, she has captured the thrill of collecting little treasuries that will resonate with children and adults alike. Her book is stylish, humorous, inclusive and utterly engaging – and set to become the seminal picture book about the joy of collecting.”
Woollvin’s debut picture book, Little Red (Two Hoots), won the prestigious Macmillan Prize 2014 for Children’s Picture Book Illustration and was named one of the New York Times’ Best Illustrated Children’s Books of 2016.
She said: “I’m thrilled to be teaming up with the talented bunch over at Frances Lincoln Children’s Books on my latest book idea These Are My Rocks, which is inspired by my own childhood obsession with collecting and explores the idea that anything can be a collection.
"This project is a step in an entirely new direction for me, and it will be a great opportunity for me to experiment and have fun with my storytelling. I’m delighted to be working with Peter Marley and the team over at Frances Lincoln Children’s Books – they create some of the most bold and unique children’s books on bookshelves today, so it feels like a real treat to be working with them on my next book.”
