Simon & Schuster Children’s Books seizes Harrison's first picture book

Simon & Schuster Children’s Books has seized Michelle Harrison’s first picture book, illustrated by David Tazzyman.

Polly Whybrow, then editorial director for picture books, secured a three-book deal, acquiring world rights in Harrison’s text from Julia Churchill at A M Heath and Tazzyman’s illustrations from Jodie Hodges at United Agents. There’s a Beach in My Pants! publishes in June 2024 with two more books to follow in 2025 and 2026.

Helen Mackenzie Smith, picture book publisher, said: “As super-proud publishers of Michelle’s stunning fiction, we are hugely excited to be publishing her first picture book in collaboration with the genius David Tazzyman, whose illustrations are hilariously brilliant. This book is fantastically funny – a day at the beach will never be the same again!”

Harrison’s first novel, The Thirteen Treasures (Simon & Schuster Children’s UK), won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. She also won the Calderdale Book of the Year Award for The Other Alice (Simon & Schuster Children’s UK), and her work has been translated into over 20 languages. Her Pinch of Magic series (Simon & Schuster Children’s UK) has sold over 200,000 copies in the UK. 

She added: “After more than a decade of writing middle-grade fiction it’s wonderful to dip my toes into new (and sandy!) waters with my first picture book. As a child I’d often hear, ‘You’ve brought half the beach back with you,’ which inspired this story. I’m over the moon that David is our illustrator – I couldn’t ask for anyone better.”

Tazzyman first illustrated Andy Stanton’s Mr Gum series (Farshore), which went on to win numerous awards, including the first Roald Dahl Funny Prize in 2008. He has illustrated multiple children’s books since, including Eleanor’s Eyebrows (Simon & Schuster Children’s UK), You Can’t Take An Elephant On the Bus (Bloomsbury Children’s Books) and The Truth According to Arthur (Bloomsbury Children’s Books).

He commented: “It’s always brilliant to be part of a brand new collaboration and I couldn’t resist Michelle’s hilarious words; I’ve had such fun illustrating this book. Can’t wait for the next one!”