Hodder Children's Books have announced two major acquisitions: both debut novels. Louise Arnold is heralded as ?A major new talent for the future of our industry.? Hodder have signed her up to a two-book deal (the first is called The Invisible Friend), with UK and Commonwealth rights brokered by Kate Jones at ICM for a ?substantial sum?. US rights were then swiftly sold by Richard Abate at ICM New York to Emma Dryden at Margaret K. McElderry Books (a division of Simon & Schuster).
The Invisible Freind will be published next year. Publishing Director for Fiction and Picture Books, Anne McNeil, describes the story as "a ghost story with a difference, this is a fabulous first novel from a very talented young writer. The story has a truly timeless feel to it ? Louise, is a major new talent for the future of our industry. She suffers from mild dyslexia and her determination to write is immense.?
The other acquisition is also a debut novel, from Canadian illustrator Gillian Johnson. Already published in Australia, Thora "is a witty, enchanting adventure story about a young girl who is half human, and half mermaid."
In addition to UK rights for Thora, Anne McNeil has acquired UK rights for two further books featuring Thora from Philippa Milnes-Smith at LAW. Johnson is is married to author and critic Nicholas Shakespeare.
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