Scholastic acquires collection of bedtime stories inspired by Black history

Scholastic UK will publish Bedtime Stories: Beautiful Black Tales from the Past, a celebratory collection of bedtime stories written and illustrated by Black creators, with a foreword by Candice Brathwaite. 

The collection is aimed at readers aged six plus and will showcase stories from Black history that are based on important figures and events from around the world. It will be published in October 2021, to coincide with Black History Month. 

Writers for the collection include Ify Adenuga, Ryan Crawford, Alex Falase-Koya, Mahamed Hashi, Ashley Hickson-Lovence, Nansubuga Isdahl, Jade Mutyora, Reggie Nelson and Wendy Shearer. Bedtime stories will also feature artwork from Richy Sanchez Ayala, Lucy Farfort, Paul Kellam, Jade Orlando, Amanda Quartey and Anastasia Magloire Williams.

A story about Krio culture in Sierra Leone from seven-year-old Sarah Mirkin will also be included, as the winning entry of a competition hosted in partnership with Cocoa Boy and Cocoa Girl magazine. She said: "I feel proud about winning this competition because now people know more about the Krio culture. It’s good for children to know about their grandparents and relatives because then they are proud of who they are." 

World rights to the stories were acquired by executive editor Leah James. Adenuga, Hashi and Nelson were represented by Crystal Mahey-Morgan at OWN IT!; Mutyora by Abi Fellows at TGLA; Hickson-Lovence by Phillippa Sitters at David Godwin and Crawford, Falase-Koya and Isdahl by Alice Sutherland-Hawes at ASH Literary.

James commented: "We're so proud to publish this important and timely collection of stories focused on Black history. Working with such talented writers and illustrators to give these stories the attention they deserve is a pleasure and to see young people like seven-year-old star writer Sarah, included, is a total joy.”

Aimee Stewart, senior designer, acquired illustration rights from Robyn Newton at the Bright Agency for Alaya, Kellam, Orlando, Quartey and Williams. Farfort was represented by Sutherland-Hawes at ASH Literary.