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Scholastic builds seasonal publishing programme for Alice Hemming and Nicola Slater's The Leaf Thief series
Scholastic has launched a new seasonal publishing programme with Alice Hemming and illustrator Nicola Slater for their series The Leaf Thief.
Editorial director Sophie Cashell acquired world rights for the the text for three picture books and two novelty formats from Fiz Osborne at Creative Roots Studio. World rights for the illustrations were acquired from Doreen Thorogood at Good Illustration. This is in addition to titles already contracted including picture books The Snow Thief, publishing in October 2024, and The Sun Thief following in June 2025 and three novelty books: The Leaf Thief: Colours, The Leaf Thief: Numbers and Where’s The Leaf Thief?.
"The Leaf Thief books have stolen my heart with their warm and funny characters and brilliantly realised themes", said Cashell. "It has been a privilege to watch them take root across the world, growing into a remarkable, evergreen series. We are thrilled to be launching more books with Alice and Nicola – from fabulous new novelty titles to exciting picture books for every season."
Originally published in 2020, The Leaf Thief introduced Squirrel who is surprised when the leaves start to go missing from trees. It has now being published in 23 languages with over three quarters of million copies, according to the publisher. That’s My Flower – the second in the series, published in 2023 – explored Squirrel and their friend Bird’s first experience of spring.
Hemming said: “Squirrel and Bird have had an exciting journey over the past few years. They’ve had such a warm reception from readers, parents, teachers, booksellers and librarians. I can’t wait to work with Nicola and the team at Scholastic to bring their next adventures into the world.”
Slater added: “Bird and Squirrel have become so cherished by children, carers, schools and libraries and it has been awesome to see people from all over the world responding to their adventures. Working with Alice and Scholastic has been a dream and I’m so happy to be able to help share Bird and Squirrel’s journey as they continue to grow, learn (and sometimes be very confused) together.”
