Scholastic to mark 30 years of Horrible Histories with new publishing and schools campaigns 

Scholastic is marking the 30th anniversary of Horrible Histories with new books, including Horrible Histories: The Worst in The World, and national PR, marketing and schools campaigns and brand partnerships.

Horrible Histories: The Worst in the World, written by Terry Deary and illustrated by Martin Brown, will be published in April 2023 and “awards gold, silver and bronze to the very worst horrible categories—battles, kings, punishments, schools, foods and many more,” the publisher says. “From the Savage Stone Age to the Terrifying Twentieth Century, this book is a romp through horrible history.”

Further publishing in 2023 will include Horrible Histories: On the Road (May), which will join other “terrible transport” books Up in the Air and Right on Track, and Horrible Histories: Terrible Thames, out in July.

World rights to the books were acquired by Elizabeth Scoggins from Terry Deary and Martin Brown directly.

The book series is also accompanied by Birmingham Stage Company’s Horrible Histories stage shows and the TV series, which has been running for over 10 years with more series in development. BBC Sounds hosts the podcast and CBBC has launched new interactive games.  The world’s first Horrible Histories’ Escape Room launched this year in Liverpool.

Scholastic UK (along with Rocket Licensing) said they were growing the brand licensing programme which currently includes magazines, costumes, games, stationery and heritage products. Announcements for new partnerships, attractions and product ranges are imminent.

Deary said: “Thirty years ago, Horrible Histories broke the mould of dusty old school history textbooks and looked at the most fascinating subject ever: human beings. Their crimes and cruelties, daftness and deaths, victims and villains. The books stirred together history and humour, humans and horribleness, fun and facts. At book signings, many parents say, ‘I loved those books when I was a kid’. It makes you realise just how long 30 years really is. It’s great to know the series has become part of those families’ Happy Histories.” 

Brown added: “Thirty years of Horrible Histories. 30 years of drawing all the horribleness history can throw at you. 30 years of urrgh! and chop! and splat! and EEEK! And yet, even after three decades of coming up with cartoons of the worst in the world, it’s still the best job in town. I feel lucky, and honoured, and somewhat amazed to be part of one of the most popular non-fiction series ever published. But mostly, I am very thankful to the readers. Your taste for urrgh and chop and splat has kept us going. Now, back to the drawing board. Because we are still going, I have a few more EEEKs to draw.”

Scoggins, publisher of non-fiction, brands and licensing, said: “It’s a real privilege to be one of the custodians of this much-loved brand. We love working with Terry and Martin on new publishing and with all our partners (old, new and still to come) on exciting new products and experiences that surprise, delight and horrify in multiple categories on into the future.”