Scholastic triumphs in five-way auction for Smith's 'hilarious' new graphic novel series

Scholastic has triumphed in a five-way auction for author-illustrator Jim Smith’s “hilarious” book, My Big Fat Smelly Poo Diary, the first in a brand new full-colour illustrated graphic novel series for readers aged seven plus.  

Polly Lyall Grant, fiction editorial director, snapped up world rights for three books from Caroline Sheldon at the Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency. My Big Fat Smelly Poo Diary will be published in late August 2024. 

The series follows best friends Pedro, Olga and Ozzy – otherwise known as the Poopies – as they go on fun adventures and solve ridiculous mysteries such as the case of the Unflushed Poos.  

Smith has previously been a winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize and the Laugh-Out-Loud Award for six to eight-year-olds. He also designs iconic cards and gifts as Waldo Pancake.  

Scholastic promises an “explosive” campaign that will encompass both trade and schools’ channels to launch the series. 

Lyall Grant said: “The new series from the immeasurably talented Jim Smith is a whiff of fresh air and stopped us all in our tracks. We know how popular episodic graphic novels for this age group are, and Jim has created a showstopper with these hilarious and easily digestible stories full of child appeal. Scholastic is the UK’s leading children’s publisher of graphic novels, and Jim’s series is perfectly placed with us.”