Walker fixed up with Repair Shop children's series tie-in

Walker Books has acquired a series of children’s books based on the BBC television series "The Repair Shop", written by Amy Sparkes and illustrated by Katie Hickey.

World rights, excluding Australia, were obtained by publisher Denise Johnstone-Burt from Charlotte Robertson at Robertson Murray Literary Agency. The Christmas Doll, the first book in the series, will be sold as a Christmas gift book. The next children’s titles will follow in 2023 and 2024, including a special craft book for young creators by the team at "The Repair Shop". The series will feature five books, including picture book and non-fiction titles. 

The Christmas Doll is based on the true story of a doll that was brought to "The Repair Shop". It follows the journey of its owner, a little girl who is evacuated from wartime London and sent to live with another family in the countryside. Unsure of her new surroundings and desperately missing her parents, she is anxious about the months ahead. 

"On Christmas morning, she is given a beautiful doll as a gift—the best present she has ever had," the synopsis says. "Yet, standing in the repair shop many decades later, with her doll now mended, she realises that the greatest gift was the kindness bestowed upon her by her host family. She will remember them always as she holds her precious doll close."

“’The Repair Shop’ is deservedly one of the nation’s favourite family shows," Johnstone-Burt said. "Treasures, transformed by craftsmen before your eyes, each tell a moving story. Bringing the magic of the barn to life in books for children is a dream come true and these beautifully illustrated children’s books will radiate the warmth and glow of the show. They make perfect stories for children and their families everywhere.”

Sparkes writes picture books and young fiction for Walker, most recently The Tower at the End of Time, the second in The House at the Edge of Magic middle-grade series. Her books have appeared on CBeebies "Bedtime Stories" and been shortlisted for several book awards, including the Roald Dahl Funny Prize and the BookTrust Best Books Award.

“I’m delighted to be involved in this lovely project," she said. "Ever since I was little, I have been fascinated by antiques and family heirlooms so to work alongside The Repair Shop is an incredible experience.”

Hickey added: “I’m thrilled to be a part of the project, bringing the magical stories of ’The Repair Shop’ to life.”

Joanna Ball, m.d. at the programme’s production company, Ricochet, said: “We are delighted that Walker Books will be bringing the magic of ’The Repair Shop’ to a series of children’s books. We know many children love watching the programme with parents and grandparents and many of our most memorable fixes evoke childhood memories. Encouraging and inspiring children to become involved in making and mending is something our experts are passionate about.”

Elsewhere, Octopus imprint Kyle Books has partnered with the TV show on The Repair Shop Life in the Barn: The Inside Stories from the Experts. It features a foreword written by the show’s presenter, Jay Blades.