Radio 1 DJs pen children’s book

Bloomsbury Children’s Books has acquired a children’s novel by Radio 1 DJs Greg James and Chris Smith.

Kid Normal, for readers aged eight and over, is about a boy called Murph whose mum enrols him at a school for superheroes. Unlike many of the other kids, Murph has no special abilities but he realises that doesn’t necessarily matter when a bad guy with evil plans arrives on the scene.

Commissioning editor Hannah Sandford acquired world rights in all languages in a two-book deal from Stephanie Thwaites at Curtis Brown. The deal was finalised after a “fiercely contested” auction, according to Bloomsbury.

Sandford said: “Greg and Chris have an effortless knack for really warm observational comedy that is obvious in every aspect of their work together on Radio 1, and this talent shines through right from the first page of Kid Normal. We are unbelievably excited to be working with them to make Murph the next superhero of children’s fiction."

James is the host of Radio 1’s Drivetime show and the Official Chart, whilst Smith is the voice Newsbeat.

Kid Normal will be published in the UK in summer 2017 and the US in spring 2018, backed by a major marketing and publicity campaign.