Scholastic UK signs Hardy’s debut picture book and unveils latest addition to Brightstorm series 

Scholastic UK has signed the debut picture book from award-winning author Vashti Hardy and has unveiled the latest addition to her The Brightstorm Chronicles series. Both are scheduled for publication this year.

Hardy’s first foray into the picture book market will be a festive story entitled Santa’s Marvellous Mechanical Workshop and is set to be illustrated by Katie Cottle. Linas Alsenas, executive editor at Scholastic, acquired world rights for the text from Kate Shaw at The Shaw Agency and for the illustrations from Alice Sutherland-Hawes at ASH Literary.

The publisher says the picture book will “celebrate creativity, upcycling and Christmas magic.” The synopsis reads: “It’s Christmas Eve at Lily’s new house, but Lily misses the old one. Then, in a moment of magic, she is whisked away to the North Pole, where Santa’s elfbots need her help to invent new toys from used, discarded ones. Lily comes to learn that with a dash of imagination and a new perspective, she can make anything—even, perhaps a new home.” It will be published in October.

Hardy’s latest middle-grade adventure will be Serpent of the Sands, the publisher also announced. It is described as an extension to her Brightstorm trilogy but is described as a sequel with a difference. Rather than featuring the Brightstorm twins, it focuses on fan favourite Princess Gan of Nadvaaryn.

The description continues: “In this new epic adventure Gan returns to her home kingdom after discovering her uncle is ill and she must seek a cure in the desert.” Alsenas acquired world rights for two middle-grade titles from Shaw; publication is set for May. Scholastic UK has also contracted a new middle-grade novel for 2024.

Alsenas said: “2023 is going to be a banner year for Vashti. Her many Brightstorm fans will be able to explore the Wide once again with Serpent on the Sands, where Vashti’s ability to tell a nailbiting adventure is at full force with colourful new characters and jaw-dropping twists aplenty. And I’m so excited that she’s turning her writing talent to include younger readers, too, with a picture book. Santa’s Marvellous Mechanical Workshop is a festive, fun story that extends Vashti’s brand of storytelling in which wild flights of imagination spring from a deep appreciation for Stem learning and creative invention.”

Hardy said: “It’s a delight to continue to write stories with Scholastic and be so well supported in their publishing plans. Working with Linas Alsenas is a creative dream and it’s wonderful to keep developing existing worlds as well as bringing new stories to the readership across new ages. This year will conclude with our 10th title together.”