23.03.22 Free


At the Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2022.


Hall 25, B96


Graphic novels, illustration and books for younger readers key drivers for business


Simon & Schuster Children’s Books m.d. Rachel Denwood said her team was busy across the board and that in general “good old YA” was on the up. She added: “But one of the most exciting things is the conversations around graphic novels. It is a vibrant space now, one that we are really hoping to get into more.”


ILLUSTRATION HAS HELPED RIVE INTEREST IN BOOKS


G


raphic novels, illustration and books targeting the younger end of the market have been a key driver of


business at this year’s Bologna Children’s Book Fair, say publishers, though a resurgent Young Adult sector was not far behind. Hachete UK c.e.o. David Shelley made his first visit to Bologna in recognition of the publisher’s children’s division being “such a big part of our business” and playing a key role in driving the overall group’s expanding market share. He said: “I think children’s publishing generally is a great growth area and it’s been growing a lot at Hachete, so I wanted to dig in a bit more… Also, oſten in the UK, I feel we can get quite siloed because we’re on an island. So I’m really keen to learn what’s happening in children’s publishing around the world.” Shelley predicted that the “big thing this year” for Hachete Children’s would be Alice Oseman’s graphic novel series, Heartstopper,


which has recently been adapted by Netflix. He also highlighted illustrated non-fiction, particularly the Wren and Rook list, and the addition of “exciting new hires” Harriet Wilson, publisher of fiction brands and classics, and publisher for non-fiction Kate Newport. But Shelley also said the group would be “targeting immersive series of books in middle-grade and YA” following the publisher’s success with Leigh Bardugo’s YA fantasy Grishaverse, also adapted by Netflix. He added: “I think what’s really clear at this fair is the role of design and illustration at the heart of things.” This was echoed by Macmillan Children’s Books m.d. Belinda Rasmussen who said “beautiful artwork from all over the world” was a key trend she had noticed at the fair, as well as a strong focus on pre-school titles and “books about managing your emotions”. She also noted: “I think there is an atempt to publish more diverse authors and illustrators.”


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PRH Children’s rights director Zosia Knopp found that contacts at the fair are looking for “picture books with a really strong message about empathy and dealing with adversit and anxiet but in a really nice, gentle way without being too didactic”. While pre-school titles remain key, she noted that there was more international interest than expected in YA fantasy and romance. Indie Magic Cat’s joint managing directors and co-publishers Rachel Williams and Jenny Broom have also noticed a trend for books promoting mindfulness, nature and hope in the wake of the pandemic, as well as “lots of picture books” and “transportative and immersive” titles.


Reporting Caroline Carpenter and Tom Tivnan


name deal


Big-


Hot Key bags Wilbur Smith YA trilogy


Hot Key Books has bagged Prey Zone, a “compelling” Young Adult trilogy about technology and wildlife desecration from the late Wilbur Smith, co-authored by Keith Chapman and Steve Cole. The Bonnier Books UK teen and YA imprint


acquired world rights to the new series from Kevin Conroy Scott at Tibor Jones. Prey Zone features a family from Smith’s adult books, the Ballantynes, and sets them in a near-future South Africa. The first book focuses on the teen protagonists as they set out on the trail of a mysterious predator that is terrorising their reserve and soon discover it is a long-extinct beast from their favourite game, Predasaur.


Chapman and Cole were brought into the


project shortly before Smith’s death last year. Television writer and producer Chapman is known as the creator of children’s brands including Bob the Builder and PAW Patrol. Cole has co-authored the Astrosaurs series, Swarm Rising (Hodder Children’s)—written with astronaut Tim Peake—and more than 150 books for properties including the Doctor Who and Young Bond brands.


Wednesday


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