Tiny Tree snares Williamson's 'magical' middle-grade tale

Tiny Tree Children’s Books has snared The Pawnshop of Stolen Dreams by Victoria Williamson, a fantasy adventure following 11-year-old Florizel into a mysterious world.

World rights to the book were acquired directly from the author by publisher James Shaw. It will publish on 7th April 2023.

"The Pawnshop of Stolen Dreams is sure to grab readers’ attention immediately: Williamson’s first-rate world-building draws the reader into Witchetty Hollow — a fantasy setting where terms like "Daydream Delicatessen", "Storkhouse Services" and even a "Sack-Baby Factory" will become quickly understood with the village feeling like a character in its own right," the synopsis reads.

“The first thing that stood out to me was the level of detail Victoria had built into the world of this book,” said Shaw. “Witchetty Hollow was a character in itself from Victoria’s very first pitch and I can’t wait for readers to discover it for themselves. Florizel’s adventure is as murky as it is magical.  

"Themes of greed, class structures and commercialism are interwoven with nods to classic folklore throughout this eerie adventure; one which tasks Florizel with uncovering the truth about Witchetty Hollow, its new visitors and what exactly is drawing all the adults towards the new Pawnshop. You won’t believe what the 11-year-old amateur investigator finds out."

Williamson has previously won the Bolton Children Fiction award for 2020/21, and her work has been longlisted and shortlisted for many awards including the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, the Branford Boase Award, the James Reckitt Hull Children’s Book Award, and the Trinity Schools Book Award. This is the author’s first book with Tiny Tree.

“Fantasy stories have always been my first love, and this novel was based on my enjoyment of Roald Dahl’s books as a child, and later, my fascination with the weird and wonderful worlds created by Tim Burton,” she said.

“Tiny Tree have been a fantastic team to work with on this novel, and I’ve been so impressed by the energy and passion that James and Anthony pour into each of the books,” she said. “The cover and internal artwork for this novel illustrated by James Brown are spectacular, and I can’t wait to share them with the world!”