Last night, the Bonnier Books UK Children’s team presented their 2024 highlights in a special showcase at the company’s headquarters in Holborn, London.
It was the Children’s division’s first ever showcase event, kickstarting a year in which there is much to look forward to, with Big Picture Press marking ten years of extraordinary illustrated books, Piccadilly Press set to celebrate its 40th anniversary, and a host of blockbuster publishing lined up across all six imprints in 2024.
A host of journalists, librarians and key trade attended as Helen Wicks, managing director of children’s trade, kicked off the event by introducing the children’s division, team and imprints including Hatch, the recently launched home of creativity, inspiration and amazing adventures through history, led by Kieran Hood.
Editors Stephanie Milton (Studio Press), Sophie Hallam (Templar), Jo McInerney (Big Picture Press), Ruth Bennett (Piccadilly Press) and Emma Matthewson (Hot Key Books) presented upcoming highlights for each imprint, from Templar’s award-winning picture books through to Hot Key’s acclaimed teen and YA fiction.
The evening featured exciting videos and in-person author talks, including showcasing the trailer for the upcoming DreamWorks adaption of Templar’s Orion and the Dark by Emma Yarlett (premiering 2nd February on Netflix), and engaging speeches from Ash Bond (debut author of the unmissable new fantasy series Peregrine Quinn and the Cosmic Realm), and Nathanael Lessore (author of hilarious teen novel, King of Nothing).
Guests were also engrossed by live dino-doodling with Jonny Duddle (author of the bestselling Gigantosaurus books and upcoming Doodle with Duddle series) and a mindfulness drawalong with Emma Carlisle (Waterstones Prize-shortlisted author of What Do You See When You Look at a Tree? and new upcoming June release Time Runs Like A River).
To cap the night, Emma Matthewson, publishing director of Hot Key Books and Piccadilly Press, exclusively revealed the cover of highly anticipated summer romance Hits Different from Love Island star Tasha Ghouri and Lizzie Huxley-Jones – a novel about how life hits different when you learn to love yourself first, publishing in June.
Helen Wicks, managing director, children’s trade, said “What a perfect way to launch what promises to be another fantastic year for Bonnier Books UK trade Children’s Division. Our inaugural Showcase offered a tantalising glimpse of our new titles, attended by a host of the fantastic authors and illustrators we are lucky enough to work with. 2024 promises to be a year of celebration as we pay tribute to 10 years of Big Picture Press and mark an amazing 40 years of Piccadilly Press. And judging by the energy in the room and the reception to tonight’s speeches and sneak-peek announcements, readers will find plenty to get excited about in the year ahead.”
Event photos can be found with #BBKids24
