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Scholastic wins gold in three-book deal with Daley and Green
Scholastic has landed a three-book deal with Olympic diver Tom Daley in collaboration with Simon James Green and illustrator Luna Valentine.
Publisher Lauren Fortune acquired world rights from Millie Lean at YMU for Daley, Joanna Moult at Skylark Literary for James Green and Alex Gehringer at The Bright Agency for Valentine. Jack Splash, the first book in the deal, will be published in March 2024.
A "funny and fantastical" middle-grade adventure, Jack Splash explores themes such as perseverance, resilience, teamwork and positivity. The story follows Jack, who wants to impress his diving coach father – but Jack is the worst diver on the worst diving team in England until "a brush with magic and the arrival of a new friend turns the team’s fortunes around". When Jack’s friend gets into trouble, the fate of the world is at stake and Jack and his team must save the day.
Daley is a gold medal Olympic diver and a double World Champion. He was awarded an OBE for his services to diving, LGBTQ+ rights and charity.
Daley said: "My first children’s book! Simon James Green is one of the leaders in LGBTQ+ fiction so writing this book with him and having his guidance is an honour. I love reading to my two boys so publishing this book feels extra special. It’s all about not giving up, staying positive and working together. I hope people enjoy it."
James Green’s YA novels have been nominated for the Carnegie medal and You’re The One That I Want (Scholastic) was shortlisted for the YA Book Prize 2022. He commented: "Tom is such an inspirational role model, I leapt at the chance to collaborate with him on a children’s book. From our first meeting, when we discussed the importance of teamwork, resilience, and celebrating individuality, it was obvious we both wanted to tell the same sort of story. Jack Splash has been an absolute joy to work on, and, thanks to Tom’s expert knowledge, hasn’t required me to don Speedos and try diving myself, so we should all be grateful for that.”
