Usborne bag 'utterly joyous' new series from Serena Patel and Emma McCann

Usborne has bagged a five-book deal with Serena Patel for Pia’s Pet Club, a "funny" animal adventure series illustrated by Emma McCann. 

Former fiction editor Alice Moloney acquired world rights from Kate Shaw at The Shaw Agency. The five-book deal also included two titles in Patel’s Accidental Detective series. 

"Pia, her family, friends—and their pets—are the perfect antidote to today’s woes," said Shaw. 

Pia’s Pet Club: Puppy Problem, the first in the new series, will be published on 8th May 2025 and be backed with a "major" marketing and publicity campaign. For readers aged seven years old and above, the series follows Pia on her "charming, laugh-out-loud animal adventures". 

Sarah Stewart, associate editorial director at Usborne, commented: “I’m thrilled to be taking over the reins from Alice Moloney to work with the dream team that is Serena Patel and Emma McCann on their utterly joyous new series. Filled with animal antics, chaotic energy and huge heart, Pia’s Pet Club is perfect not just for all young pet lovers but for all young readers, offering them a space to revel in the love of stories where they can see themselves on the page.”

Patel added: “I’m delighted that Pia and her pet club have found the most wonderful home with Usborne. It’s been so much fun writing Pia’s escapades and I hope readers will love her and all the pets she meets as much as I do. Emma has, of course, brought the stories to life in that brilliant and hilarious way that she does and I feel very lucky to have the chance to work with her again.”