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Beautiful Tales from the Past, a celebratory collection of bedtime stories from Scholastic.

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We are so excited for Scholastic’s new collection – Beautiful Tales from the Past – a celebratory collection of bedtime stories written and illustrated by Black creators, with a foreword by Candice Brathwaite and featuring OWN IT! authors/artists, including Reggie Nelson, Ify Adenuga, Mahamed Hashi and Ashley Hickson-Lovence.

COMING OCTOBER 2021.

Bestselling Authors of ‘Slay in Your Lane’ to Publish Debut Children’s Book in November 2021

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OWN IT! has done a deal with HarperCollins Children’s Books, Executive Publisher, Ann-Janine Murtagh and Fiction Publisher, Nick Lake, who have acquired World Rights in three books, from Crystal Mahey-Morgan of OWN IT!

Yomi Adegoke is a multi-award winning journalist and author, writing on race, feminism, popular culture and how they intersect. Whilst Elizabeth is a multi-award winning author, speaker and columnist at The Financial Times.

Promising one of the most exciting middle-grade moments of the year, The Offline Diaries is a fresh, funny and contemporary story of friendship, told in the captivating voices of Ade and Shanice – two utterly unforgettable Year 8 girls – who will seize the hearts and imaginations of readers everywhere.

Ade is about to start at a new school. She is NOT happy with her stepdad for making them move here. Shanice has been at the school for a year already. Since her mum died, she’s been living with her dad and annoying older brother, spending most of her time outside school in her dad’s hair salon. When Ade and Shanice meet in the salon, and spot each other’s diaries, an instant friendship is formed, and they start to chat online . . . but offline is a whole other story!

Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinené said: ‘It’s been such an exciting process for us to bring Ade and Shanice to life. Navigating secondary school and friendships circles is such a significant part of all of our coming-of-age journeys and finding true friendships can really help shape who we become. It’s such a privilege for both of us to be able to create a world and characters inspired by this, and we hope to speak to and empower all young girls all over the world.’

The Offline Diaries launches in hardback on 11 November 2021, with full black-and-white illustrations throughout and simultaneous e-book and audio publication.

Golden Globe winner Idris Elba signs multi-book deal with HarperCollins

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Photo by Maarten de Boer/Contour by Getty Images

We’re delighted to share that we’ve done an exciting deal for London/ New York: Iconic and multi award-winning actor, musician, filmmaker, and activist Idris Elba and Robyn Charteris who have signed a global multi-book deal with HarperCollins to publish a range of children’s books launching in 2022.

In a major UK/US co-publication deal, world rights were acquired by Ann-Janine Murtagh, Executive Publisher, HCCB UK, and Suzanne Murphy, President and Publisher, HCCB US, from OWN IT! founder and agent Crystal Mahey-Morgan.

Publishing will include picture books and young fiction, featuring a character and world imagined and developed by Idris and his talented writing partner Robyn Charteris, who has written numerous live-action drama, pre-school and animation programmes for BBC, Channel 4, the Jim Henson Company and Endemol as well as educational theatre for schools.

Idris Elba said, “I feel privileged to have the opportunity to bring stories inspired by my daughter to life with my incredible partner Robyn Charteris, and the powerhouse team at HarperCollins.”

Ann-Janine Murtagh said, “Idris Elba is one of the most iconic and multi-talented creatives of his generation and I am delighted that he is joining the HarperCollins Children’s Books list. From the outset, Idris had a very clear vision on the characters and stories he has imagined, and is passionate about creating books that will appeal to all children. Robyn Charteris has a fantastic track record in writing for children, working with some of the biggest producers of children’s entertainment, and I am hugely excited to also welcome her to the world of children’s books. I feel privileged that Idris has entrusted us to bring his stories to life and I cannot wait to share them with children across the globe.”

“Idris Elba is a creative force, who has many wonderful stories to tell,” says Suzanne Murphy. “We are honoured to be working with him and with Robyn Charteris to bring Idris’s rich and imaginative storytelling to the world of children’s books, and we are thrilled to welcome them to the HarperCollins family.”