Simon & Schuster Children's swoops for three graphic novels from Henn

Simon & Schuster Children’s Books has swooped for Happy Hills, an "outrageously funny" full-colour graphic novel series from Sophy Henn. 

Managing director Rachel Denwood acquired world rights in a three-book deal from Jodie Hodges at United Agents. The first book, Happy Hills: Giant Danger Kittens, will be published in April 2024. Books two and three will follow at six-monthly intervals. 

Happy Hills introduces a cast of characters from Mimi, a "diva-bunny", to Shroomer, a talking toadstool, alongside villainous creature-of-the-night Knick-Knacks. The publisher described the series as a bold new addition to the market, pitched for fans of Jamie Smart’s Bunny vs Monkey series. 

Denwood said: "The world needs Happy Hills, Sophy Henn’s candy-coloured concoction of comics, chaos and cuteness. Expect high energy, high drama and laugh-out-loud moments of absurdity on every page. There is depth here too and an important reminder that life, with all its ups and downs, is always worth living to its fullest, funniest and most fantastic. This will be a significant addition to the graphic novel marke, and for me it’s the most exciting thing Sophy Henn has ever created. That says a lot coming from her number one fan."

Henn added: "I could not be more excited to be embarking on another rip-roaring adventure with Rachel and all the wonders at Simon & Schuster."