Torday returns to The Last Wild series with Hachette Children's

Piers Torday will revisit The Last Wild series with prequel The Wild Before, to be published by Hachette Children's Group in March 2021. 

The Wild Before will draw on themes of climate change, hope and friendship and will return the reader to the world of The Last Wild series, before the redeye virus had taken hold of every animal in the land. 

Hachette has also acquired three additional middle-grade titles from Torday, with Sarah Lambert, publishing director at Hachette Children’s Group, acquiring world rights from Clare Conville at Conville & Walsh.

Lambert said: "Piers has proved himself time and time again as one of the most dedicated, talented and important authors writing for children today. I am utterly thrilled to demonstrate HCG’s commitment to his ongoing success with this major deal for the future, and I can’t wait to share the triumph that is The Wild Before with fans and new readers everywhere."

Torday commented: "I am so excited to be returning to the world of The Last Wild with Hachette Children’s Group, which has introduced the first three books of the Wild adventures to thousands of readers across the globe. Now, in such extraordinary times, I can’t wait for readers old and new to discover how that story began – and to meet the bravest hare that ever lived, on an epic mission of hope and love that might, just might, save the planet. . ."

The The Last Wild series, The Last Wild (2013), The Dark Wild (2014) and The Wild Beyond (2015), was published by Quercus Children's Books, part of Hachette Children's Group.