Sparks fly for Sweet Cherry with Smallman's new series

Independent publisher Sweet Cherry has acquired world rights in all languages to Steve Smallman’s new Maggie Sparks series, in a deal made directly with the author. 

Aimed at readers aged five to seven, the series will follow the adventures of the title character, a mischievous young witch who’s tackling growing up and starting school in a human world. The first in the series, Maggie Sparks and the Monster Baby, will be published in September 2021 and will see Maggie overcome her jealousy following the arrival of a new sibling.

Cecilia Bennett, managing editor, said: "We love the humour Steve brings to Maggie’s magical adventures, which happen in the real world and involve everyday situations that readers will be very familiar with. Like Maggie, children around the age of five to seven experience a lot of emotions that they haven’t worked out how to express yet so they’re sure to relate to Maggie, who always uses her magic as a shortcut to try and fix things!"

Smallman, author of Poo in the Zoo (Little Tiger), said: “I can’t wait to introduce the world to Maggie Sparks! She’s a little witch with a big personality, a slightly strange best friend, a pet chameleon and an annoyingly cute baby brother. I’ve had such fun writing about Maggie’s magical misadventures, and I hope my readers enjoy them, too!”