Scholastic snaps up Dixon's animal mystery in two-book deal 

Scholastic has bagged Luna Wolf: Animal Wizard, a mystery adventure about animals by TV star, singer and author Alesha Dixon.

Publisher Lauren Fortune struck the two-book deal for world rights with Lauren Gardner of Bell Lomax Moreton. The books will be written in collaboration with Katy Birchall, also represented by Gardner, and illustrated by Deise Lino. Rights for the illustrations were acquired from Beehive Illustration. Publication will be marked with a "major" PR and marketing campaign.

Luna Wolf: Animal Wizard is the first in a new middle-grade series. "It’s an action-packed, magical mystery adventure inspired by Alesha’s love of animals and the importance of animal welfare," the synopsis reads. "Alesha has worked closely with World Animal Protection and travelled with them to do undercover filming. Her experiences influenced scenes from the new book. It’s also a story of heritage and blended families, reflecting Alesha’s passion that children of all backgrounds, race and families see themselves represented in books. Illustrated throughout by Deise Lino, Luna Wolf: Animal Wizard is perfect for all young fans of animals, magic and adventure."

Dixon’s debut children’s book, Lightning Girl, also co-written with Birchall, was a children’s fiction bestseller and the bestselling middle-grade debut of 2018. Sales of her books stand at more than 125,000 units in the UK, through Nielsen BookScan’s Total Consumer Market.

Fortune said: “We are so thrilled to be launching a new laugh-out-loud, wildly magical middle-grade series by Alesha, writing in collaboration with Katy Birchall. Luna Wolf: Animal Wizard is perfect for all young animal fans and kids who ask their parents for ’Encanto’ on repeat: it fizzes with energy and pure entertainment.”

Dixon first found fame as part of MOBO award-winning group Mis-teeq, which achieved two platinum albums and seven top-10 hits, before going on to become a platinum-selling solo artist in her own right. Her appearance on "Strictly Come Dancing" in 2007 led to her winning the series and becoming a judge for three seasons. Since then she has presented and hosted TV shows including CBBC dance show "Alesha’s Street Dance Stars", "Children In Need", "Comic Relief", BBC1’s "The Greatest Dancer", "America’s Got Talent: The Champions" and "Australia’s Got Talent".

“It was only a matter of time before my love and admiration for animals became a book," she said. "An entertaining adventure for young readers that puts animal welfare at the forefront is dream project for me. I’m so excited for my readers to get to know the brilliant Luna Wolf!”