S&S Children’s Books forges ‘major’ new picture book partnership with Jones and Percival

Simon & Schuster Children’s Books have signed two "exquisitely moving" picture books by Tom Percival and Richard Jones.

Helen Mackenzie Smith, picture books publisher, bought world rights for two titles from Mandy Suhr at Miles Stott Literary Agency for Tom Percival, and from Arabella Stein at The Bright Agency for Richard Jones. Quiet, the first book, will be published in March 2024 with a second, as-yet untitled book to follow in 2026.

Both creators have sold in multiple languages throughout the world, and Jones and Percival already have “stand-out” picture books on the Simon & Schuster Children’s Books list – including Empathy Lab-pick The Invisible by Percival and Kate Greenaway Medal-nominated Perdu by Jones.

Quiet, their first collaboration, for which Percival will write the text and Jones will illustrate, will be a major focus title for Simon & Schuster at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in March.

Helen Mackenzie Smith said: “With two such talented artists involved in the co-creation of this book, it is no surprise that it has turned out as beautifully as it has.”

Percival commented: “It’s no exaggeration to say that from the first moment I saw Richard’s artwork I was completely won over. The way that he generates such rich, detailed scenes that also feel bright, minimal and fresh really appeals to me and I just knew that he would create something stunning for this project.”

Jones said he had been “an enormous fan of Tom’s storytelling and artwork for many years, so being asked to collaborate on a book of our own was a welcome and wonderful surprise. Quiet is a beautiful and inspiring tale, and I thoroughly enjoyed bringing Tom’s exquisite characters to life."