Two Hoots expands into fiction with Hardinge and Gravett’s gothic fairytale

Macmillan Children’s Books’ Two Hoots imprint has bought a YA gothic fairytale written by Costa Award-winning author Frances Hardinge and illustrated by Emily Gravett, two-time winner of the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal.

Entitled Island of Whispers, it is Hardinge’s first fully-illustrated book and the first fiction title on the Two Hoots list. World rights were secured by Suzanne Carnell, publisher at Two Hoots. Frances Hardinge’s text was acquired from Nancy Miles at Miles Stott Agency, and Emily Gravett’s illustrations were acquired from Philippa Milnes Smith at The Soho Agency.

Carnell said: “I have rarely felt as proudly emotional about a book as I do this collaboration between two of the greatest talents in children’s books. Frances Hardinge’s compelling narrative and Emily Gravett’s atmospheric illustrations create an exceptional reading experience.”

Part coming-of-age story and part fantastical thriller, Island of Whispers begins on the misty island of Merlank, where the souls of the dead cause untold harm unless they are safely carried away. The Ferryman must take these wandering dead to the island of the Broken Tower, where they can move on. A young man is unexpectedly thrust into the role of the Ferryman, having taken on his father’s responsibility following his death. Now, his father is one of the souls who must be carried across the sea.