DHA Children’s Classics Guide 2020 Contents
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Richard Adams (1920-2016), the son of a country doctor, was born in Newbury in England. He was educated at Bradfield school and Worcester College, Oxford. He served in the Second World War and in 1948 joined the Civil Service. In the mid-1960s he completed his first novel, Watership Down, for which he struggled for several years to find a publisher. It was eventually awarded both the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian award for children’s fiction for 1972. In 1974 he retired from the Civil Service and published a series of further novels, including Shardik, The Plague Dogs and The Girl in a Swing.
Key title: Watership Down (1972) An epic story that has been beloved for generations, Watership Down has become one of the most famous animal stories ever written. Fiver, a young rabbit, is very worried. He senses something terrible is about to happen to the warren. His brother Hazel knows that his sixth sense is never wrong. So, there is nothing else for it. They must leave immediately. And so begins a long and perilous journey of a small band of rabbits in search of a safe home. Fiver’s vision finally leads them to Watership Down, but here they face their most difficult challenge of all . . .
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Primary Agent: VB Translation Rights: DHA Film/TV Rights: Adams estate Subagents: Chinese - Bardon Chinese Media Japanese - Tuttle-Mori
Edward Ardizzone (1900-1979) began his career as an artist and Illustrator in 1927. In 1936 he made a picture book of a story he had told his children – the classic Little Tim and the Brave Sea Captain. This developed into the internationally loved Little Tim series. Famous as a war artist and as a distinguished member of the Royal Academy, Ardizzone is also widely considered to be the foremost illustrator of his generation. He illustrated more than 170 books, and as well as his own work, he illustrated books by Eleanor Farjeon, Graham Greene, James Reeves and Dylan Thomas. Nurse Matilda by Christianna Brand, illustrated by Ardizzone, was adapted as Nanny McPhee (2005) and Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang (2010) starring Emma Thompson.
Key title: Little Tim and the Brave Sea Captain (1936) Select bibliography
In the first title of the beloved Little Tim series, asmall Little Tim and the Brave Sea boy wants to be a sailor, but his parents say he is much Captain (1936) too young. Tim grabs the chance to stow away on a The Little Bookroom (1955) steamer, but little does he expect the hard work, stormy Nurse Matilda (1964) sea and sinking ship to come! ‘Some of the saltiest and most satisfying picture books created during the last generation’ - Maurice Sendak, author of Where the Wild Things Are
Nurse Matilda The Little Bookroom Little Tim and the Brave UK: Bloomsbury UK: OUP Sea Captain Extent - 384pp Extent - 322pp UK: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books Rights sold: Rights sold: Extent - 56pp Spanish – Ediciones Siruela Chinese - Bridging Consulting Russian – Azbooka-Atticus Japanese - Iwanami Shoten Rights sold: Romanian – Grup Media Litera Macedonian - Nampress Japanese - Koguma Brazilian Portuguese - Editora Polish - Wydawnictwo Dwie Schwarcz S.A Siostry Polish – ZNAK Russian - Azbooka-Atticus
Primary Agent: GG Translation Rights: DHA Film/TV Rights: PK Subagents: Chinese - Andrew Nurnberg Associates Japanese - Tuttle-Mori 5 Antonia Barber
Antonia Barber (1932-2019) gained early recognition for her middle grade novel, The Ghosts, first published in 1969. It was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, an award she was later shortlisted for again in 1983 with The Ring in the Rough Stuff. The Ghosts was adapted for film in 1972 to great success, and released theatrically as The Amazing Mr Blunden.
Her first picture book, The Mousehole Cat, first published to great acclaim in 1990, with illustrations by Nicola Bayley, and is still in print today. It was awarded Illustrated Children’s Book of the Year at the British Book Awards, the Children’s Choice in the Nestle Select bibliography Smarties Book Prize, and received a commendation for the Kate Greenaway Medal. A perennial favourite, The Ghosts (1969) the story has been adapted, including as a play, The Ring in the Rough Stuff (1983) musical, puppet show, ballet and an animated film. The Mousehole Cat (1990)
Key title: The Ghosts (1969) A time-travelling ghost story, The Ghosts revolves around two children, Lucy and Jamie, in Camden Town between the wars. A mysterious stranger appears at their door with an unbelievably attractive offer for their poor widowed mother – to act as caretaker for a rundown but once magnificent house in the countryside. The only reason they’ve struggled to find someoneso far: the local villagers are afraid of the house, with claims they have seen the figures of two child ghosts wandering about the grounds. Lucy and Jamie are drawn almost instantly into this mystery, and their journey takes them to the same spot 100 years earlier, in an attempt to save the lives of the two other children before they’ve ended.
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Primary Agent: CW Translation Rights: DHA Film/TV Rights: CI Subagents: Chinese - Bardon Chinese Media Japanese - Japan Uni
6 BB
‘B.B.’, or Denys Watkins-Pitchford (1905-1990), was born in 1905 in Northamptonshire. He studied at the Royal College of Art and was for many years the art master at Rugby School. He wrote and illustrated many books for both children and adults, all of which reflected his naturalist’s knowledge and passion for the countryside. He is probably best known for Brendon Chase, published in 1944, The Little Grey Men (for which he won the prestigious Carnegie Medal in 1942) and its sequel Down the Bright Stream.
Key title: The Little Grey Men (1942) Select bibliography
The last four gnomes in Britain live on the banks of the The Little Grey Men (1942) bubbling Folly brook. They are perfectly happy with their Down the Bright Stream (1948) quiet life, except, that is, for one . . . Cloudberry. Restless and longing for adventure, Cloudberry sets off to follow his dream. But when he doesn’t return, the remaining gnomes must set off on their own adventure to find him.
The Little Grey Men Down the Bright Stream UK: OUP UK: OUP Extent - 257pp Extent - 256pp
Rights sold: Rights sold: Chinese – Hunan Russian – Dobraya Kniga German - Freies Geistesleben Russian – Dobraya Kniga
Primary Agent: GG Translation Rights: DHA Film/TV Rights: NL Subagents: Chinese - Bardon Chinese Media Japanese - Tuttle-Mori 7 Sheila Burnford
Sheila Burnford (1918-1984) was born in Scotland, where she attended St George’s School in Edinburgh. She married a doctor, David Burnford, in 1941 and worked as an ambulance driver during the Second World War. In 1951 she and her husband emigrated to Canada. They had three children and three beloved family pets. These animals inspired Sheila to write The Incredible Journey, which was published in 1961. Two years later Disney released a film adaptation, and from that point Sheila’s book became a well-loved bestseller.
Key title: The Incredible Journey (1961) Select bibliography
The Hunter children must go abroad for the summer, so The Incredible Journey (1961) they reluctantly leave their three pets in the care of a Bel Ria (1979) friend. But the faithful animals only know they must get home again, somehow. So the labrador, the old bull terrier and the dainty Siamese cat set off on a perilous journey through the wilderness. But how will domestic animals fare against river rapids, hunger, icy temperatures and ferocious wild beasts? And if they make it home, will their owners be waiting for them?
The Incredible Journey Bel Ria UK: Vintage UK: Sphere Extent - 176pp Extent - 208pp
Rights sold: Rights sold: Italian - Mondadori Finnish - Tammi Korean – Sigongsa Spanish – Danos Turkish – Beyaz Balina
Primary Agent: GG Translation Rights: DHA Film/TV Rights: CI Subagents: Chinese - Bardon Chinese Media Japanese - Tuttle-Mori 8 Berlie Doherty
Berlie Doherty has been a compulsive writer of novels, plays, stories and poetry for all ages since 1982. She has written over fifty books, and is translated into twenty-one languages. Many of her books have been dramatised for radio, television and the stage. She has won many awards around the world, including the Carnegie Medal twice (the only author to do so in the prize’s history) for Dear Nobody and Granny Was A Buffer Girl. She was also runner-up for the Carnegie with Willa and Old Miss Annie.
Key title: Dear Nobody (1991) Select bibliography
Dear Nobody is the moving story of two teenagers and an Dear Nobody (1991) unplanned pregnancy. Street Child (1993) This compelling story is beautifully told from two points of The Snake-Stone (1995) view, brilliantly evoking the feelings of both Helen, in a Deep Secret (2003) series of letters to the unborn baby, and of Chris as he reads The Girl Who Saw Lions (2018) the letters and relives the events of their relationship while Helen is in labour.
Dear Nobody Street Child The Girl Who Saw Lions UK: Penguin UK: HarperCollins UK: Andersen Extent - 240pp Extent - 208pp Extent - 240pp
Rights sold: Rights sold: Rights sold: French - Gallimar French - Larousse German - German - Ernst Klett Russian – Hemiro Südwestrundfunk Korean - Changbi Publishers Thai – NanmeeBooks Russian – Kolobok Thai – NanmeeBooks
Primary Agent: VB Translation Rights: DHA Film/TV Rights: PK Subagents: Chinese - Bardon Chinese Media Japanese - Tuttle-Mori 9 Eleanor Farjeon
Eleanor Farjeon (1881-1965) is regarded as one of this country’s finest writers of poems and stories for children. In 1956 she was awarded both the Carnegie Medal and the Hans Christian Andersen International Medal; her hymn “Morning Has Broken” is a favourite around the world.
Eleanor lived for many years in a little village called Houghton. The children of the village used to gather outside her cottage to play their favourite skipping games, and one day Eleanor went and asked them to recite their rhymes for her. These rhymes, which have been passed down from generation to generation, can be found word-for-word in Elsie Piddock Skips in Her Sleep.
Key title: The Little Bookroom (1955) Select bibliography
A girl sits in a dusty room, crammed to the rafters with Kaleidoscope (1928) books. Sunlight dances on the covers, between which The Old Nurse’s Stocking Basket are stories of magical worlds and faraway places, lands (1931) of princesses, kings, giants, and real children too. Jim at the Corner (1934) Eleanor Farjeon was that girl, who was so enchanted by The Glass Slipper (1944) her little bookroom that she recreated it by writing this The Little Bookroom (aka One Foot in wonderful collection of short stories. Fairyland, 1955) This charming book is beautifully illustrated throughout by Edward Ardizzone.
The Little Bookroom Jim at the Corner The Old Nurse’s Stocking UK: OUP UK: New York Review of Basket Extent - 322pp Books UK: Puffin Extent - 96pp Extent - 136pp Rights sold: Chinese - Bridging Consulting Rights sold: Rights sold: Japanese - Iwanami Shoten Japanese - Dowaken Russian - Azbooka-Atticus Macedonian - Nampress Shuppen Chinese - Guangzhou Polish - Wydawnictwo Dwie Bright Book Publishing Siostry Russian - Azbooka-Atticus Primary Agent: GG Translation Rights: DHA Film/TV Rights: PK Subagents: Chinese - Bardon Chinese Media Japanese -Tuttle-Mori 10 Anne Fine
Anne Fine has written numerous highly acclaimed and prize-winning books for children and adults. The Tulip Touch won the Whitbread Children’s Book of the Year Award; Goggle-Eyes won the Guardian Children’s Fiction Award and the Carnegie Medal; Flour Babies won the Carnegie Medal and the Whitbread Children’s Book of the Year; and Bill’s New Frock won a Smarties Prize. Anne Fine was named Children’s Laureate in 2001 and was awarded an OBE in 2003. Madame Doubtfire was adapted into a film starring the late Robin Williams in 1993.
Key title: Madame Doubtfire (1987) Select bibliography Madame Doubtfire (1987) Madame Doubtfire is a wonderfully funny, punchy story Bill’s New Frock (1988) about family life. Lydia, Christopher and Natalie are used Goggle-Eyes (1989) to domestic turmoil. Their parents’ divorce has not made Flour Babies (1992) family life any easier in either home. The Diary of a Killer Cat (1994) The children bounce to and from their volatile mother, Step by Wicked Step (1995) Miranda, and their out-of-work actor father, Daniel. Then The Tulip Touch (1996) Miranda advertises for a cleaning lady who will mind the Charm School (1999) children after work - and Daniel gets the job, disguised Roll Over Rolly (1999) as Madame Doubtfire. Notso Hotso (2001) Ivan the Terrible (2007)
Madame Doubtfire The Diary of a Killer Cat Bill’s New Frock UK: Puffin UK: Puffin UK: Puffin Extent - 256pp Extent - 64 Extent - 128pp
Rights sold: Rights sold: Rights sold: Enquire for all rights sold Enquire for all rights sold Romanian - Editura Paralela 45 Korean - BIR Publishing Co Spanish - Santillana Chinese - New Buds Primary Agent: AG Translation Rights: DHA Film/TV Rights: GR Subagents: Chinese -Andrew Nurnberg Associates Japanese - Tuttle-Mori 11 Pauline Fisk
Pauline Fisk (1948-2015) was an author with a strong sense of place and a rare gift for blending the natural with the supernatural in ways that made the latter seem entirely credible. Although her output was not large, her voice was distinctive, and she found success with her first novel, Midnight Blue (1990), which won the Smarties book prize and was shortlisted for the Whitbread Children’s Book Award (now the Costa award).
Key title: Midnight Blue (1990) Select bibliography
Bonnie, a young teenager, escapes the harsh reality of Telling The Sea (1992) her mother’s weakness and her grandmother’s hatred by The Beast Of Whixall Moss (1997) flying to another, kinder world. There, with the mysterious The Candle House (1999) Shadow Boy, she discovers a life that is both healing and Sabrina Fludde (2001) disturbing. But, unwittingly, she opens the way for the The Red Judge (2004) malevolent Grandbag, with chilling consequences. The Mrs Marridge Project (2005) Pauline Fisk’s compelling writing is reminiscent of the Flying For Frankie (2009) fantasy of Alan Garner and the magical realism of David Mad Dog Moonlight (2009) Almond. In The Trees (2010) Tyger Pool (2010)
Midnight Blue In the Trees Flying for Frankie UK: Lion UK: Faber & Faber UK: Faber & Faber Extent - 224pp Extent - 355 Extent - 240pp
Rights sold: Rights sold: Rights sold: All rights available All rights available Spanish - Mondadori
Primary Agent: GG Translation Rights: DHA Film/TV Rights: PK Subagents: Chinese - Andrew Nurnberg Associates Japanese - Tuttle-Mori 12 Eve Garnett
Eve Garnett (1900-1991) was born in Worcestershire and trained as a painter in London at Chelsea and then the Royal Academy Schools. Ill health curtailed her painting career and thus she became a very successful children’s book writer and illustrator. Her first book, The Family from One End Street was first published in 1937, won the Carnegie Gold Medal and has been in print ever since. It has also been adapted for radio in1999.
Key title: The Family from One End Street (1937) Select bibliography
There is never a dull moment in the lively Ruggles family. The Family from One End Street From capable Lily Rose, whose good deeds don’t always (1937) go to plan, down to prize-winning baby William, the Further Adventures of the Family from seven Ruggles children are experts at finding fun and One End Street (1956) adventure. Holiday at Dew Drop Inn (1962) The classic story of life in a big, happy family. Child’s Garden of Verses (1948)
The Family from One End Holiday at Dew Drop Inn A Child’s Garden of Street UK: Puffin Verses UK: Puffin Extent - 336pp UK: Puffin Extent - 336pp Extent - 128pp Rights sold: Rights sold: All rights available Rights sold: Portuguese – 20/20 (illustrations only) Editoria Japan - Zuiunsha Japanese - Iwanami Shuppan Shoten
Primary Agent: JG Translation Rights: DHA Film/TV Rights: JG Subagents: Chinese - Andrew Nurnberg Associates Japanese - Tuttle-Mori 13 Jamila Gavin
Jamila Gavin was born in Mussoorie, India, in the foothills of the Himalayas. With an Indian father and an English mother, she inherited two rich cultures which ran side by side throughout her life, and which always made her feel she belonged to both countries. The family finally settled in England where Jamila completed her schooling, was a music student, worked for the BBC and became a mother of two children. It was then that she began writing children’s books, and felt a need to reflect the multi-cultural world in which she and her children now lived.
Key title: Coram Boy (2000) Select bibliography
The Coram man takes babies and money from desperate The Wheel of Suraya (1995) mothers, promising to deliver them safely to a Foundling The Eye of the Horse (1994) Hospital in London. Instead, he murders them and buries The Track of the Wind (1997) them by the roadside, to the helpless horror of his mentally Coram Boy (2000) ill son, Mish. The Blood Stone (2003) Mish saves one, Aaron, who grows up happily unaware of his history, proving himself a promising musician. As Aaron’s new life takes him closer to his real family, the watchful Mish makes a terrible mistake, delivering Aaron and his best friend Toby back into the hands of the Coram man.
Coram Boy The Blood Stone The Wheel of Surya UK: Egmont UK: Egmont UK: Egmont Extent - 368pp Extent - 420pp Extent - 304pp
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Primary Agent: VB Translation Rights: DHA Film/TV Rights: Casarotto Ramsay Subagents: Chinese -Andrew Nurnberg Associates Japanese -Tuttle-Mori 14 Elizabeth Goudge
Elizabeth Goudge (1900-1984) was born in Somerset. She had a long and distinguished literary career writing novels for adults and children, which were best-sellers throughout the world. She was awarded the Carnegie Medal in 1946 for The Little White Horse, perhaps her best-known work, a new film version of which was released in 2009 under the title The Secret of Moonacre.
Key title: The Little White Horse (1946) Select bibliography
‘For a fleeting instant Maria thought she saw a little white Smoky House (1941) horse with a flowing mane and tail, head raised, poised, Henrietta’s House (1942) halted in mid-flight, as though it had seen her and was The Little White Horse (1946) glad.’ Make-Believe (1949) The beautiful valley of Moonacre is shadowed by the The Valley of Song (1951) memory of the Moon Princess and the mysterious little Linnets and Valerians (1964) white horse. When Maria Merryweather comes there on I Saw Three Ships (1969) a visit she finds herself involved with an ancient feud. She is determined to restore peace and happiness to the whole of Moonacre Valley. And Maria usually gets her own way...
The Little White Horse Linnets and Valerians (aka UK: Lion The Runaways) Extent - 224pp UK: Hesperus Press Extent - 256pp Rights sold: Enquire for all rights sold Rights sold: All rights sold
Primary Agent: GG Translation Rights:DHA Film/TV Rights: CI Subagents: Chinese - Bardon Chinese Media Japanese - Tuttle-Mori 15 Russell Hoban
Russell Hoban (1925-2011) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He started writing at an early age, winning prizes for his stories and poems during his school years. He served in the US Army during the Second World War, earning a Bronze Star, and later worked as an illustrator in advertising. He began writing children’s books in 1958, and since then has published more than fifty titles.
In 1968, he published his first full-length novel, The Mouse and His Child, which was later made into an animated film. He moved to London in 1969 (originally for a two-year stay) and lived there for the rest of his life.
Key title: The Mouse and His Child (1968) ‘What are we, Papa?’ the toy mouse child asked his father. ‘I don’t know,’ the father answered. ‘We must wait and see.’ So begins the story of a tin father and son who dance under a Christmas tree until they break the ancient clockwork rules and are themselves broken. Thrown away, then rescued from a dustbin and repaired by a tramp, they set out on a dangerous quest for a family and a place of their own - the magnificent doll’s house, the plush elephant and the tin seal they had once know in the toy shop.
The Mouse and His Child “Hoban is the best sort of genius.” Patrick Ness, Guardian (1968) UK: Faber & Faber “The Hobans have done it again: a sly text attacking a Extent - 176pp real juvenile problem and attractive illustrations. Highly recommended.” Kirkus on Bread and Jam for Frances Rights sold: Chinese - Trustbridge Publishing Italian - Adephi Edizioni
Primary Agent: AG Translation Rights: DHA Film/TV Rights: NL Subagents: Chinese - Andrew Nurnberg Associates Japanese - Tuttle-Mori 16 Diana Wynne Jones
Diana Wynne Jones (1934-2011) and her two sisters grew up deprived of books. But, armed with a vivid imagination and an insatiable appetite for stories, Wynne Jones wrote and read them herself She never ceased writing and from 1973 onwards published many titles, which have been published worldwide in thirty languages. Her magical adventures have enthralled children and adults ever since. In 2004 Howl’s Moving Castle was made into an animated film by Hayao Miyazaki for Studio Ghibli, Japan, to much acclaim. Her numerous awards include the Guardian Award for Children’s Fiction, the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award (twice) and a Life Achievement award at the World Fantasy Convention 2007. Key title: Howl’s Moving Castle (1986) Select bibliography
In the land of Ingary, where seven league boots and cloaks Howl’s Moving Castle (1986) of invisibility do exist, Sophie Hatter catches the unwelcome Castle in the Air (1990) attention of the Witch of the Waste and is put under a spell. House of Many Ways (2008) She makes her way to the moving castle that hovers on Earwig and the Witch (2011) the hills above Market Chipping, where she meets Michael, Howl’s apprentice, and Calcifer the Fire Demon, with whom A Tale of Time City (1987) she agrees a pact. But, rumour has it, the castle belongs Power of Three (1976) to the dreaded Wizard Howl whose appetite, they say, is The Dark Lord of Derkholm (1998) satisfied only by the souls of young girls…
Howl’s Moving Castle Charmed Life Earwig and the Witch UK: HarperCollins UK: HarperCollins UK: HarperCollins Extent - 304pp Extent - 288pp Extent - 133pp
Rights sold: Rights sold: Rights sold: Enquire for All Titles and Finnish - WSOY Italian - Adriano Salani Previous Publishers French - Gallimard Japanese - Tokuma Spain - Anaya Shoten Ukranian - Vydavnyctvo Korean - Sigongsa Starogo Levai Primary Agent: VB Translation Rights: DHA Film/TV Rights: PK Subagents: Chinese - Bardon Chinese Media Japanese -Tuttle-Mori 17 Clive King
Clive King (1924-2018) was born in Richmond, Surrey. In 1926 he moved with his parents to a farm in Kent, alongside which was an abandoned chalk-pit, which later became the setting for Stig of the Dump. Thereafter he went to King’s School, Rochester, Downing College, Cambridge, and the School of Oriental and African Studies, London. From 1943 to 1947 he served in the Royal Navy, travelling widely and civilian postings as an officer of the British Council took him to Amsterdam, Belfast, Aleppo, Damascus, Beirut, Dhaka and Madras.
Key title: Stig of the Dump (1946) Select bibliography
Barney is a solitary little boy, given to wandering off by The Town that Went South (1959) himself. One day he is lying on the edge of a disused Stig of the Dump (1962) chalk-pit when it gives way and he lands in a sort of The 22 Letters (1966) cave. Here he meets ‘somebody with a lot of shaggy hair and two bright black eyes’ wearing a rabbit skin and speaking in grunts. He names him Stig. Of course, nobody believes Barney when he tells his family all about Stig but, for Barney, cave-man Stig is totally real. They become great friends, learning each other’s ways and embarking on a series of unforgettable adventures. Stig of the Dump is illustrated by Edward Ardizzone.
Stig of the Dump The Town that Went South UK: Puffin UK: Atheneum Books Extent - 263pp Extent - 213pp
Rights sold: Rights sold: Spanish - Editorial Casals All rights available Korean - Bomnamu
Primary Agent: CW Translation Rights:DHA Film/TV Rights: NL Subagents: Chinese - Andrew Nurnberg Associates Japanese - Japan Uni 18 Penelope Lively
Penelope Lively is a novelist, short story writer and author of children’s books. Her novels have won several literary awards, including the Booker Prize for Moon Tiger in 1987. The Road to Lichfield and According to Mark were shortlisted for the Booker Prize. Her children’s book The Ghost of Thomas Kempe was awarded the Carnegie Medal, and A Stitch in Time won a Whitbread Award. Family Album was shortlisted for the Orange Prize for Fiction in 2010.
Key title: The Ghost of Thomas Kempe (1973) Select bibliography
James is fed up. His family has moved to a new cottage – The Ghost of Thomas Kempe (1973) with grounds that are great for excavations, and trees that The House in Norham Gardens (1974) are perfect for climbing – and stuff is happening. Stuff that A Stitch in Time (1976) is normally the kind of thing he does. But it’s not him who’s writing strange things on shopping lists and fences. It’s not him who smashes bottles and pours tea in the Vicar’s lap. It’s a ghost – honestly. Thomas Kempe, the 17th century apothecary, has returned and he wants James to be his apprentice. No one else believes in ghosts. It’s up to James to get rid of him. Or he’ll have no pocket money or pudding ever again.
The Ghost of Thomas A Stich in Time The House in Norham Kempe UK: HarperCollins Gardens UK: Egmont Extent - 160pp UK: Puffin Extent - 256pp Extent - 304pp Rights sold: Rights sold: Chinese - Shanghai Cai Rights sold: Italian - Adriano Salani Qin Ren Culture Diffusion Japan – Goblin Shobo Company Italian - Ugo Guanda Editore Primary Agent: LK Translation Rights: DHA Film/TV Rights: NL Subagents: Chinese - Bardon Chinese Media Japanese - Tuttle-Mori 19 Michael Morpurgo
Michael Morpurgo is one of Britain’s best loved writers for children. He has written over 130 books including The Butterfly Lion, Kensuke’s Kingdom, Why the Whales Came, Private Peaceful, Shadow, and War Horse, which was adapted for a hugely successful stage production by the National Theatre and then, in 2011, for a film directed by Steven Spielberg. Michael was Children’s Laureate from 2003 to 2005. The charity Farms for City Children, which he founded thirty years ago with his wife Clare, has now enabled over 70,000 children to spend a week living and working down on the farm.
Key title: Private Peaceful (2001) Select bibliography
Told in the voice of Private Tommo Peaceful, the story follows Long Way Home (1975) twenty-four hours at the front, and captures his memories of Robin of Sherwood (1996) his family and his village life by no means as tranquil as it Kensuke’s Kingdom (1999) appeared. Out of the Ashes (2001) Full of vivid detail and engrossing atmosphere, leading to a Private Peaceful (2001) dramatic and moving conclusion, Private Peaceful is both Cool! (2002) a compelling love story and a deeply moving account of Born to Run (2006) the First World War. Running Wild (2009)
Private Peaceful Kensuke’s Kingdom Running Wild UK: HarperCollins UK: HarperCollins UK: HarperCollins Extent - 208pp Extent - 176pp Extent - 352pp
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Primary Agent: VB Translation Rights: DHA Film/TV Rights: Berlin Associates Subagents: Chinese - Bardon Chinese Media Japanese - Tuttle-Mori 20 Philippa Pearce
Philippa Pearce (1920-2006) was awarded the OBE in 1997 for her services to children’s literature. Her book Tom’s Midnight Garden won the Carnegie Medal in 1958 and has remained in print ever since. In 2008 this was celebrated with a special 50th Anniversary Edition, and the first Philippa Pearce Memorial Lecture at Homerton College, Cambridge. Until her death she lived near Cambridge, opposite the house where she spent her childhood and which features in Tom’s Midnight Garden.
Key title: The Way to Satin Shore (1983) Select bibliography
Kate never knew her dad, but that doesn’t stop her Tom’s Midnight Garden (1958) missing him. She often secretly visits the gravestone with The Elm Street Lot (1969) his name on it. But when the gravestone disappears Kate The Squirrel Wife (1971) has a mystery on her hands. She has to find out what has What the Neighbours Did and Other happened and as she delves deeper into her family’s Stories (1972) past, she realizes that there are many secrets to uncover Lion at School and Other Stories and that all the clues point to one place. As Kate races (1973) to Sattin Shore her mind is a whirl of emotions: what she The Way to Sattin Shore (1983) finds there will change the shape of her life for ever. The Little Gentleman (2004)
The Little Gentleman Mrs Cockle’s Cat Minnow on the Say UK: Puffin UK: Jane Nissen UK: Oxford University Press Extent - 160pp Extent - 320pp Extent - 272pp
Rights sold: Rights sold: Rights sold: German - Aladin Japanese - Tokuma Japanese - Kodansha Hebrew - Paamon Korean - Nonjang Italian - Adriano Salani Turkish - Beyaz Balina Japanese - Iwanami Korean - Sigongsa
Primary Agent: GG Translation Rights: DHA Film/TV Rights: GR Subagents: Chinese - Andrew Nurnberg Associates Japanese - Tuttle-Mori 21 Geoffrey Trease
Geoffrey Trease (1909-1998) was born in Nottingham in 1909. While at school he produced his own British Boys’ Magazine. This featured “stories of adventure and British pluck from all corners of the globe”. Later he won a classics scholarship to Oxford but gave it up to go and work in London as a social worker in the East End and a struggling journalist on the Bloomsbury fringes. He became a teacher, but soon returned to a writing career.
His first book, Bows Against the Barons, was published when he was 25 and he went on to write over 100 books for both children and adults. He never lost his energy and creativity and delighted generations of young readers.
He was one of the first authors who deliberately set out to appeal to both boys and girls and to feature strong leading characters of both sexes
Key title: Cue for Treason (1937) Select bibliography
Fleeing from the evil Sir Philip Morton, Peter Brownrigg Bows Against the Baron (1934) finds himself on the wrong side of the law. On therun Cue for Treason (1937) to London he meets Kit and the two decide to stick No Boats on Bannermere (1949) together. But a chance discovery endangers their lives Trumpets in the West (1994) and soon Peter is deep in murderous plots, secrets and even treason. Set in the turbulent days of Elizabeth I, this classic story of danger and intrigue conjures up a world of mystery, twists and turns and thrilling action.
Cue for Treason Bows Against the Baron No Boats on Bannermere UK: Penguin Children’s UK: Five Leaves UK: Girls Gone By Extent - 368pp Publication Extent - 218pp Extent - 166pp
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Primary Agent: GG Translation Rights: DHA Film/TV Rights: PK Subagents: Chinese - Andrew Nurnberg Associates Japanese - Tuttle-Mori 22 Robert Westall
Robert Westall (1929-1993) made a sensational debut with The Machine Gunners in 1975. It won the Carnegie Medal and Westall established an international reputation. His books have been translated into many languages and dramatised for television. He won The Smarties Prize, the Guardian Award and was twice awarded The Carnegie Medal. In 2006 an exhibition devoted to Westall’s work was on show at Seven Stories, the Centre for the Children’s Book, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, close to where he was born and brought up. Published to coincide with the exhibition, the story of his childhood is told in his autobiographical writings The Making of Me
Key title: Kingdom by the Sea (1990) Select bibliography
When a bomb during an air raid destroys Harry’s home and The Stones of Muncaster Cathedral kills his family, he knows that he is all alone in the world and (1989) has only himself to rely on. Anxious that he will be sent to Stormsearch (1990) live with his fussy Cousin Elsie he goes on the run across the Kingdom by the Sea (1990) war-battered land of North East England, his only friend in his journey a stray dog that he meets on the beach. Will Gulf (1992) Harry ever find a place to call home again, or will he be on Falling into Glory (1993) the run forever? The Night Mare (1995) Blizzard (1996) ‘A writer who managed to combine literary excellence with a talent for capturing the imagination and interest of child, and in particular, young adult readers’ – Julia Eccleshare, The Times
The Kingdom by the Sea Gulf The Night Mare UK: HarperCollins UK: DHA UK: DHA Extent - 257pp Extent - 95pp Extent - 126pp
Enquire for All Titles and Previous Publishers Primary Agent: GG Translation Rights: DHA Film/TV Rights: PK Subagent: Chinese - ANA Japanese - Tuttle-Mori 23 T. H. White
T. H. White (1906-1964) was born in Bombay, India, where his father was a member of the Indian Civil Service, and was educated at Cheltenham and Queen’s College, Cambridge. He was an English master at Stowe School from 1930 to 1936, and while there, completed his first real critical success, England Have My Bones, which was an autobiographical account of his country life. He afterward devoted himself exclusively to writing and to studying such obscure subjects as the Arthurian legends, which were to provide the material for his books. White was reclusive by nature, often isolating himself for long periods from human society, and spending his time hunting, fishing, and looking after his strange collection of pets.
Key title: The Once and Future King (1938-1970) Select bibliography
T.H. White’s masterful retelling of the Arthurian legend is The Sword in the Stone (1938) an abiding classic. Here all five volumes that make up The Witch in the Wood, a.k.a The the story are published together in a single volume, as Queen of Air and Darkness (1939) White himself always wished. The Ill-Made Knight (1940) This is the tale of King Arthur and his shining Camelot; of Mistress Marsham’s Repose (1946) Merlyn and Owl and Guinevere; of beasts who talk and The Elephant and the Kangaroo men who fly; of knights, wizardry and war. (1947) The Candle in the Wind (1958) Contains The Sword in the Stone, The Witch in the Wood, The Book of Merlyn (1970) The Ill-Made Knight, The Candle in the Wind and The Book of Merlyn.
The Once and Future King Mistress Marsham’s The Elephant and the UK: Penguin Children’s Repose Kangaroo Extent - 864pp UK: Random House UK: Penguin Children’s Extent - 240pp Extent - 274pp
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Primary Agent: GG Translation Rights: DHA Film/TV Rights: GR Subagent: Chinese - Andrew Nurnberg Associates Japanese - Japan Uni 24 Richard Adams Edward Ardizzone Antonia Barber BB Sheila Burnford Berlie Doherty Eleanor Farjeon Anne Fine Pauline Fisk Eve Garnett Jamila Gavin Elizabeth Goudge Russell Hoban Diana Wynne Jones Clive King Penelope Lively Michael Morpurgo Phillipa Pearce Geoffrey Trease Robert Westall T. H. White