You are viewing your 1 free article this month. Login to read more articles.
HarperCollins Children’s Books will publish a non-fiction title from Joe Wicks “that draws upon his expertise, passion and commitment to physical and mental health for young people”.
The title was secured through a multibook deal back in 2020, in which HQ publisher Lisa Milton acquired world rights from Bev James Management.
Fitter, Healthier, Happier! Your Guide to a Healthy Body and Mind will be published in paperback on 14th March 2024, with illustrations by Kate Sutton.
The book is aimed at seven to 11-year-olds and offers “an accessible look at the four key ingredients to a healthy, happy body: exercise, nutrition, sleep and a healthy mind".
The publisher added: “Inspiring and motivating, fully illustrated throughout, and written in Joe’s energetic and relatable voice – which powered so many families through lockdown. Fitter, Healthier, Happier! is an informative and fun journey through the body and mind, with plenty of ideas and activities, brought to life with amazing black-and-white illustrations by Kate Sutton."
Wicks said: "My new book I would have loved to have read as a child. It’s going to give young children a really clear understanding of the human body and how much food and exercise can have a positive effect on our mood, energy and happiness.”
Juliet Matthews, publisher at HarperCollins Children’s, said: “When Joe talks about the importance of physical and mental fitness for children his commitment is inspiring.”
The new title in the multi-book deal follows the bestselling Feel Good which was published by HarperCollins in 2021. Originally known as the "The Body Coach", Wicks is the bestselling author of 10 cookbooks and founder of the Lean in 15 programme, selling 3.79 million books worth £32.2m, according to Nielsen BookScan. His debut, Lean in 15 (Bluebird) is the second highest-selling cookbook of all time. He was published by Bluebird for over five years before signing with HarperCollins in 2020.
Wicks trained as a PE teacher after graduating from his degree in Sports Science at St Mary’s University in Twickenham. He became the "Nation’s PE Teacher" during the 2020 lockdown and each weekday morning delivering remote PE sessions. His daily live helped raise over £550,000 for the NHS as well as breaking a Guinness World Record after one of his PE classes was watched live by 955,000 people on YouTube. He was awarded an MBE in October 2020 for his work during the pandemic.
Sutton is a freelance illustrator who regularly illustrates for Sunday Times and Lonely Planet magazines.