Scholastic signs five picture books from 'enormously gifted' Welsh teacher Tudor

Scholastic UK has signed a five-book deal with teacher and debut author Kael Tudor.

The first book, One Goose, Two Moose, will be illustrated by Nicola Slater, and published in February 2024. This will be followed by a sequel, One Goose, Two Moose, Three Racoon, Four Baboon and a third book, It’s Not My Cookie, both illustrated by Slater.

Tudor’s fourth title, Ten Tiny Squirrels, will be illustrated by illustrator Marc Boutavant and the fifth, Watch Out for Bears, will be illustrated by Chris Jevons.

Fiz Osborne, publisher at Scholastic UK, bought world rights from Emily Talbot at United Agents for five titles. Illustration rights were acquired from Doreen Thorogood of The Good Agency for Slater, Helen Osborne of Heart Agency for Boutavant and Freddie Dawson from The Bright Agency for Jevons.

Tudor said he began writing as a child and was inspired by the books that he bought at school fairs and jumble sales. He is a teacher at a special educational needs unit in a primary school in South Wales.

Tudor says: “I’m over the moon to have found a picture book home at Scholastic. One Goose, Two Moose will always have a special place in my heart as my debut picture book, and couldn’t be more delighted to be paired up with the mega-talented Nicola Slater. I’m a huge fan of funny stories, so I’m very excited for everyone to have a silly goose time with our book. I feel very lucky to be publishing five books with three incredible illustrators, and can’t wait to show what else is in the pipeline.”

Sophie Cashell, editorial director for picture books at Scholastic, says: “Kael is an enormously gifted talent, with a brilliantly anarchic sense of humour and wonderful way with words. We can’t wait to see his stories brought to life by a number of fabulous illustrators, starting with Nicola Slater.”