Scholastic snaps up picture book from Lawrence and Ewen

Scholastic UK has signed Is That Your Mama?, described by the publisher as "an important and celebratory" picture book by author Patrice Lawrence and award-winning illustrator Diane Ewen.

The Scholastic UK illustrated books team, headed by publisher Fiz Osborne, struck the world rights deal for the text from Caroline Sheldon, of her eponymous literary agency, and for the illustrations from Susan Penny at The Bright Agency. It will be published in summer 2023.

The publisher said: "The story is about a family who all look different from each other. Josie loves her family but notices she’s always asked, ’Is that your Mama?’ As Josie starts to wonder if they really should all look alike, her family find a way to help Josie see what truly matters."

"Is That Your Mama? is a very personal book and one that will resonate with so many children and families," Lawrence explained. "I absolutely loved writing it and Diane’s illustrations are perfect.”

Ewen said: “I’m so happy to be creating the illustrations for Patrice’s wonderful words. Is That Your Mama? has such an important theme at the heart of it, one which touches a lot of families.”

Osborne added: “We could not be more proud to publish Patrice and Diane’s first picture book collaboration. They have filled its pages with honesty, heart and an incredibly important message that is going to help a lot of children feel seen.”

Lawrence is the author of various titles including Eight Pieces of Silva (Hodder) and Orangeboy (Hodder Children’s Books). Her Tudor story, Diver’s Daughter, was one of the launch titles for Scholastic’s Voices series. She has won the Waterstones Prize for Older Children’s Fiction, the Jhalak Prize for Children’s and YA, and the YA Book Prize among other awards. With seven Carnegie Medal nominations and two longlistings under her belt, Lawrence is also an ambassador for First Story, England’s leading creative writing charity for young people. 

Ewen has won the Jericho Prize, the Queen’s Knickers Award and the Anna Dewdney Award. She was named Illustrator of London Book Fair 2022 and is one of the illustrators of Hey You! (Puffin) which won the British Book Award for Children’s Illustrated 2022. Is That Your Mama? is her first Scholastic book.