Walker falls for ‘breathtaking’ picture book by Halls and Litchfield 

Walker has signed a “breathtaking” new picture book from Smriti Halls and David Litchfield, the duo behind Rain Before Rainbows (Walker, 2020), entitled Peace on Earth.

Senior commissioning editor Lizzie Sitton acquired world rights for the words from Jodie Hodges at United Agents and for the illustrations from Anne Moore Armstrong at The Bright Agency.

Publishing on 7th September 2023, Peace on Earth is a companion to their first collaboration, Rain Before Rainbows, and is described as “a timely story that lights a path for all those who dream of peace” and “a lyrical tale that follows a happy band of friends who journey together, but after sharing angry words, they struggle to find the peace and light they once had.”

The publisher added that the story explores the difficulty of discord and hurt; the strength and courage required to be a peacemaker;  and the  wholeness, healing and jubilance that peace brings. “It will be the perfect book for sparking discussions about the topic of peace and themes such as empathy, kindness,  emotional wellbeing and mental health,” it concludes.

Rain before Rainbows was read by "Bridgerton" star Regé-Jean Page on "CBeebies Bedtime Stories" and by Hollywood actor Stanley Tucci for Save the Children’s #SaveWithStories campaign. The words were also used by Google Australia for a television advert in December 2020 and, according to the publisher, was downloaded over 50,000 times and used as a vital resource by schools reopening or offering home learning through the pandemic.

Halls said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be working with David on our second book together.  David  has captured the emotional heart of  Peace on Earth  with breathtaking beauty and  has created a visual landscape that is immersive, enthralling and quite simply magnificent.  I hope readers will find  a story  full of joy, resonance and inspiration within  its pages –and discover peace of the most daring, powerful sort – the sort that builds bridges, mends hearts, spreads love... and changes the world.”

Litchfield added: “It was so lovely to work with Smriti and the Walker team again on Peace on Earth. I adore Smriti’s writing, and her text always  inspires  me to push my artwork into new and creative areas. When I first read Peace on Earth, I was really excited to dive right into the surreal but beautiful imagery her words conjured up in my  mind. I hope that everyone who reads the book finds it as thrilling, comforting and inspiring as I did while illustrating it.”

Sitton described the book as an “epic collaboration of words and pictures”, saying that “to my mind [it’s] a very special and timely book, as well as a stunning companion title to Rain Before Rainbows. Peace on Earth is a picture book that I believe children and adults alike will find they can turn to again and again for inspiration, courage and hope.”