2024: Favourite Projects of the Year from Agents Nov 08 2024

As we approach the end of what has been another busy but successful year, our teams have taken a moment to reflect back on 2024, and the fantastic work we’ve had the pleasure of collaborating on with our artists and clients. We sat down with each of our agents across our UK, USA and Europe offices, and here are some of the stand out projects our agents have picked from the year. Scroll at your leisure over the beautiful covers, which have either hit the bookshelves already or are on their way to a bookstore near you before the year is out!

Are you interested in working with any of our artists? Now is the BEST time to book illustrators in. They are keen to fill their diaries up! Reach out to your agent, and our team would love to continue working with you on some more exciting projects.

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Bhavi:
Marvellous Messages – DK
Illustrator: Lena Addink
This was a special project for me to work on with DK, as it’s written by renowned actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, who is also known for her services to the deaf community. As someone with a close relative who is deaf, it was fascinating to learn about the history of communication, and how it’s evolved over time. This book is a celebration of all the inspirational heroes of the deaf world who have helped shape the way in which we communicate in society today. This book is illustrated by Lena Addink, whose vibrant illustrations depict the world of the deaf community with vitality and colour. 

The Night Before Holi – Scholastic
Illustrator: Aditi Kakade Beaufrand
I loved seeing this bright and vibrant picture book come to life, which brings all of the excitement that comes with Holi: the Festival of Colours. Swapna Haddow’s energetic text, paired with illustrations by Aditi Kakade Beaufrand, tells of a little girl and her grandad’s quest to make this year the best Holi ever. A beautiful narrative centred around Indian culture that excites readers, but also educates with non-fiction pages on facts about Holi and how to get involved in the festivities. 

Deb:
Hamza's Wild World – Harper Collins
Illustrator: Louise Forshaw
I really enjoyed collaborating on this celebrity title with Hamza, and bringing it to life with the amazing talents of Louise Forshaw. The concept of creating a dyslexia-friendly format was a fantastic addition, making the project even more meaningful. 

Believe in Me: Living with a Learning Disability  (Mencap) – Weyland Hachette
Illustrator: Sue Downing
I was thrilled to collaborate on this fantastic title, which emphasises that having a disability should never be a barrier to achieving greatness. Sue Downing's artistic style added a mindful and engaging touch, making the book especially appealing to young readers. 

Jo:
Pop Out Mega Pictures Farm – Make Believe Ideas
Illustrator: Teresa Bellon
This fun pop-out book is a brilliant way to introduce children to farm animals, vehicles and food, and Teresa's fantastic and quirky illustrations really bring the characters to life. There's something different to spot every time you open the book. Teresa's unique, memorable style meant she was one of the first illustrators I got to know well when I first started as an agent, and we've since gone on to work on many projects together. My three-year-old nephew lives in Australia, and this book also triggers special memories of our trips to the farm when he comes over to visit. I love it!

Your Marvelous Masterpiece – Wonderbly
Illustrator: Valerya Milovanova
This was the first project I worked on with the fantastic team at Wonderbly, and I loved the concept from the outset. You upload a children’s piece of art, and it is then featured throughout the book to create a story unique to the child. Valerya's beautiful illustrations bring the story to life, and I love the fact that you can also customise both the character and their name. My favourite book as a child was a Christmas story that had both mine and my sister's names in it, and as a budding junior artist I would have loved this as a child! Such a unique concept that celebrates and treasures a special child's artwork for life. 

Harry:
Step Inside Science: Dinosaurs – Usborne
Illustrator: Teresa Bellon
This is Teresa's fifth book in the spectacular Step Inside Science series with Usborne. Born from an initial spark (*ahem* COVID?) the first book, Step Inside Science: Germs, kicked off a fantastic, close collaboration between Usborne and Teresa herself. Dinosaurs is the final book to be released and it has been a pleasure to see this super slick, engaging and fun way to 'step inside science' grow from strength to strength.

Supersquirrel and the Crazy Rain Maker – Usborne
Illustrator: Josh Cleland
We've seen lots of clients look at ways to incorporate sequential narratives, graphic novels and 'comics' into their list over the last few years and here, Josh and Usborne have absolutely excelled at it. Supersquirrel is the first in a three-book series that is graphic novel come hero-detective come comedy-caper come puzzle-activity book. It has engagingly and expertly fused all these elements together. Josh has worked flawlessly bringing his wit, energy and humour to the series – absolutely 'super!'

Will:
Little People Big Dreams: Taylor Swift – Quarto
Illustrator: Borghild Marie Fallberg
Landing this title was such a thrill, especially as someone with a girlfriend who plays Taylor Swift on repeat, and me as a recent convert! For all the fellow Swifties, we’re excited to bring a fun new Little People, Big Dreams to life. Huge applause to Borghild Marie Fallberg for the amazing work! Paired with her tour, this one’s been a massive hit – and it’s easy to see why!

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Amanda:
Scooby-Doo: Velma and the Mystery of the River Ghost – Running Press
Illustrator: Pedro Riquelme
I love working with Pedro and was thrilled to see him do another instalment in his Scooby-Doo series with Running Press! Growing up, Scooby-Doo! and the Witch's Ghost was my favourite film in the franchise, particularly the Hex Girls, so I especially loved seeing this project come to life with the inclusion of some of my favourite characters!

The Woofmore is Not Haunted – Abrams
Illustrator: Josh Cleland
As a lover of all things spooky, I was delighted to hear that the second title in The Woofmore series would be pawsitively haunting! It's been a delight to see this book develop, and Josh's hilarious art brings so much life to the story. 

Vickie:
The Good Knight – Hachette
Illustrator: Ma Pe
The story has so much humor and heart and I think Ma Pe did an amazing job bringing it to all life! It was great to see all the special little details Ma Pe brought to the images!

Peek-A-Bo Series – Peter Pauper Press
Illustrator: Holly Bushnell
The book is based on real life doggo, Bo, and his puppy friends. It was so fun seeing the animal reference images for Bo and his friends being exchanged between Holly and the client. Bo even had a paw signing at his doggy daycare! In addition to Holly's super cute artwork, the interactive lift -the-flap elements and holographic spot printing are so fun, and I'm sure it will become a favorite series on many children's bookshelves for years to come! The client also shared regular updates about Bo and his friends, making the process enjoyable from start to finish for everyone involved.

Atlanta:
I'm Proud Of You – HarperCollins Publishers
Illustrator: Sawyer Cloud
Highlighting Today Show co-anchor Craig Melvin, this title was so exciting to work on, as it drew attention to fathers around the world and the things their children do to make them proud. It was beautiful to see Sawyer bring Craig's vision to life! 

The Quacken  – Simon and Schuster
Illustrator: Pablo Pino
Working with Pablo on this title was a lot of fun! As someone who appreciates all things humour and spooky, this book was the perfect combination as there is so much personality in the characters and depth in the story. Full of laughs, this one is sure to become a classic on your bookshelf.

Erin:
Selena: A Little Golden Biography – Golden Books, Random House Children's
Illustrator: Paula Zamudio
This project was particularly special to me because of how special it was to the artist, Paula. When I pitched the project to her she was so excited. She told me how important Selena is to her and that the project was a dream come true. Throughout the process, Paula and the Random House team were so fun and easy to work with. A lot of passion went into this project to bring Selena to life and I think it shows!

Mostly What God Does is Love You, by Savannah Guthrie (Today Show anchor) – Zonderkidz, HarperCollins
Illustrator: Morgan Huff
It was so exciting to work with Savannah Guthrie on this title! Morgan was thrilled to know that Savannah had personally requested her work on this title after being shown her portfolio. It was such a nice, collaborative, fun team to work with throughout the whole process. I can't wait for everyone to see how cute this story is!

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Alice:
Mon tout premier cherche et trouve sonore – Hachette
Illustrator: Michael Buxton
This Seek and Find book is just fantastic! Entertaining and joyful, both adults and children can share so much fun getting lost in the amusing and colourful illustrations from Michael. Working alongside Michael is fantastic, he is one of the kindest and most reactive illustrators. No wonder Hachette's team keeps him busy with projects!

Je veux attraper le père noël – Auzou
Illustrator: Edita Hajdu
Marie Frisette, a young girl with a playful imagination, has a number one dream: she wants to meet Santa! This wonderfully illustrated story is fun, beautiful, and already in the top five of the Palmares Quebec Market, after just one week of sales. Seeing a story take life out of Edita's talented hands is always a treat, and she seems unstoppable. She's working on the fourth book in a row for this publisher!!

Marion:
Naya – Carlsen
Illustrator: Sawyer Cloud
Sawyer Cloud at her best. The publisher has given her a lot of freedom with the illustrations for this story and I am thrilled with the empathy with which Sawyer depicts the story of little Naya in her illustrations. I immediately took Naja to my heart.

The Spooky Halloween Book – Albatros
Illustrator: Anuki Lopéz
The illustrations have so many great little details. It was fun to see them develop. Despite the enormous time pressure, Anuki kept calm and paid attention to detail. On the publishing side, there is pure enthusiasm about her work.