Piccadilly Press, an imprint of Bonnier Books UK, is delighted to announce the acquisition of Doodleworld, a young graphic novel adventure series from award-winning author-illustrator Adeola Sokunbi.
Ella Whiddett, editorial director at Piccadilly Press, acquired world all-language rights to three books from Clare Wallace at Darley Anderson Children’s Agency in a competitive three-way auction.
Brimming with uplifting messaging, Doodleworld inspires children to believe in themselves, unleash their creativity and recognise that it’s okay to make mistakes.
Dara loves to doodle – but when her drawings don’t look perfect, she scribbles them out. Then, one stormy night, a lightning bolt zaps her straight into her sketchbook and into Doodleworld! With only her sidekick Zigzag to guide her, Dara must track down The Golden Pencil to draw her way home. To do so, she’ll have to cross the Crayon Canyons, raft down Watercolour Waterfall, squelch through Smudge Swamp and soar along Sticker Street – all while dodging pesky scribble bugs at every turn!
Can Dara stop chasing perfection and finish what she’s started? Or will she be stuck in Doodleworld forever?
Adeola Sokunbi says: “I’ve been having so much fun creating Doodleworld and it’s been an absolute pleasure working with Picadilly Press. I’m so excited to share Dara’s story and I hope readers love it as much as we do!”
Ella Whiddett said: “Dara’s journey through Doodleworld is a joyful celebration of creativity, courage and the magic of mistakes. Adeola’s imagination is warm, witty and endlessly inventive, and the result is accessible, energetic storytelling for emerging readers – reminding every child that it’s absolutely fine to be a bit wobbly and draw outside the lines, as long as you don’t give up!”
Adeola Sokunbi is an award-winning author and illustrator from London with a passion for doodling and anything fantasy. She studied Computer Animation and now works in the animation industry. She is the author of the Destiny Ink and Doodleworld series.
Doodleworld will be publishing in paperback in February 2027, followed by Book 2 in Autumn 2027 and Book 3 in 2028.
