Acquisition Announcement

Little Tiger has acquired The Elementals – an adventure-filled young fiction series from Love Ssega, illustrated by Erika Meza.

Senior Commissioning Editor Mattie Whitehead acquired world rights for four books directly from the author. Pip Johnson, Senior Designer, acquired illustration rights from Claire Cartey at Holroyde Cartey.

Moana meets the Famous Five – The Elementals is perfect for readers in search of adventure!

Wanzu and his friends will do whatever it takes to keep Sealand – their island home – safe. They all have magical powers connected to the four elements: Air, Water, Earth and Fire. But curious and playful Wanzu hasn’t discovered what his power is yet…

When storms threaten to flood the island, Wanzu leads his friends on a rescue mission. Their quest takes them to magical places, where they learn how to stop the water taking over their home. But will they be able to make it back to Sealand and save the day in time? And will Wanzu ever discover his power?

Mattie Whitehead said: “It has been an extremely special process working with Ssega on The Elementals. With his creative talent and environmental knowledge, paired with passion and care, Ssega has created a magical world full of kindness, adventure (and some fun melodies!) in which children can take the lead. Perfectly brought to life in Erika Meza’s beautiful artwork, Wanzu and the Elementals will be ready to set sail in 2026!”

Love Ssega said: “It is a dream to have this work put out, so I want to thank Mattie Whitehead and the Little Tiger team for believing in this. We need stories of positivity, the marvels of nature and the power of young minds working together, fuelled by imagination. The Elementals would not come to life without stunning illustrations from Erika Meza, which bring the playfulness, joy and humour to the world. So I can’t wait for readers to join us on this first journey!”

 Erika Meza said: “Collaborating with Ssega in bringing his world and characters to life has been a gust of fresh air, and to do so with the Little Tiger team has turned it into an exhilarating experience. The text is fun, intriguing and empowering, and it is my hope that readers of all ages will find themselves reflected in these characters, whether it’s a water baby, our hero – or a Beaver Queen.”

Little Tiger will publish book 1, The Elementals: Wanzu Sets Sail, in April 2026, with book 2 to follow in August 2026, and books 3 and 4 to publish in 2027.

Love Ssega (Ssegawa-Ssekintu Kiwanuka) is an award-winning musician, performing artist and storyteller who has received international recognition for his work. It is this storytelling that brings him to write his debut fiction series THE ELEMENTALS. Love Ssega was the founding songwriter and frontman of Clean Bandit.

 His life and writing draws on East African Ganda and Bantu stories from his parents, to wide-ranging life experiences from sugarcane research in Haiti to cultural collaborations in Guangxi, China. Love Ssega was selected to host for the official culture talk at United Nations COP26 Climate Conference. He is proudly the founder of the arts-led clean air movement LIVE + BREATHE, has featured in The New York Times Climate Forward. Love Ssega has creative relationships with the National Gallery (UK) and Philharmonia Orchestra and is currently Associate Artist of Southbank Centre.

Instagram: @lovessega

Erika Meza was born in Mexico and, after learning to draw, travelled across the sea to find a nest of her own in South London, where she now lives with her partner, her cat and her little puffling. She’s brought to life books like My Two Border Towns, Stop! That’s not my Story! and Seven Sisters, and is the author and illustrator of To The Other Side.

Instagram: @ErikaDraws

Little Tiger has acquired We Wait for the Stars, a stunning YA novel in verse from debut author Bridget Hamilton – winner of the Northern Writer’s Debut Award for YA Fiction 2023.

Mattie Whitehead, Senior Commissioning Editor at Little Tiger, acquired world English languages rights from Lucy Irvine at Peter Fraser and Dunlop Literary Agents for publication in July 2026.

After losing her dad, Celeste’s life feels like it’s splintering. ​Then she makes a new friend in Katie, who shares her love of the beach, and meets Reuben, a fellow photographer. Maybe a new friendship group is just what she needs – as long as she keeps her growing attraction to Reuben out of the equation.​​ But Celeste soon finds that emotions can’t be bottled up…

A powerful and poignant novel in verse, perfect for fans of Sarah Crossan, Elizabeth Acevedo, Dean Atta and Tia Fisher. ​

Mattie Whitehead, Senior Commissioning Editor said:

I have always loved novels in verse, and when I first read We Wait for the Stars I couldn’t put it down. Bridget’s writing is stunning, with gorgeous and (sometimes painfully!) relatable characters. She has captured the different nuances of grief, while also threading hope, love and laughter through her story. This book means so much to me, and I know will to many others.

Bridget Hamilton said:

 I’m thrilled that We Wait for the Stars has found its home with Little Tiger! Mattie and the team have been fantastic at helping bring the story to life and really championing the poetry element of it, which I’m so glad I found in a publisher (and in my brilliant agent, Lucy). Many of my favourite authors write in verse and I’m very lucky to be joining the ranks. I can’t wait for readers to meet Celeste and follow her journey!

Little Tiger will publish We Wait for the Stars in July 2026.

Bridget Hamilton (she/her) is a writer, podcaster, and creative practitioner. Originally from Kent, she headed to the North East of England for university, fell in love with the region and forgot to leave! She now lives in Newcastle upon Tyne with her husband and baby boy. Bridget believes that everyone should have the opportunity to read and write stories. Her job sees her travel to schools, youth groups, community centres and even inside prisons to teach creative writing. Meanwhile, her own writing centres around home, family, and identity; she has created work for organisations such as the Hexham Book Festival, Kielder Observatory, Poet in the City and BBC Radio Three.

Instagram: @bridgetwriting | Website: www.bridgethamilton.co.uk

Little Tiger has acquired She’s a Knockout, a punchy YA sports romance from debut writer Britney Brouwer. 

Mattie Whitehead, Senior Commissioning Editor at Little Tiger, acquired world rights, all languages, from Lydia Silver at Darley Anderson Children’s Agency, for publication in June 2026. 

When Annie Armani became the Junior MMA Champion with a fluke knockout punch, her life changed. Now she’s the star of a documentary, where she has to work with her annoying (and annoyingly hot) new sparring partner to prove she’s got what it takes to be a knockout sports star.  

Mattie Whitehead, Senior Commissioning Editor said: 

I’m such a fan of rom coms and when I read She’s a Knockout – which so brilliantly centres a female athlete – I was all in. Britney’s writing is sparky, fun and packs a punch, and I’m very lucky to be in her corner. Annie is a character readers will relate to and admire, and when Jake manages to earn her trust (and her heart), they are a force to be reckoned with.  

Britney Brouwer said: 

Annie has her dream team, and I’ve got mine! Working with everyone at Little Tiger has been incredible—I couldn’t have asked for a better home for my spunky fighter. My editor Mattie’s sharp editorial vision has turned this book into a champion, and I wouldn’t be on the mat without my agent Lydia’s guidance and advocacy. I can’t wait for readers to root for Annie, too! 

Little Tiger will publish She’s a Knockout in June 2026.  

Britney Brouwer grew up wanting to be a lawyer and an author, so it makes sense that she first drafted SHE’S A KNOCKOUT while studying for the Bar Exam. Now an editor of court opinions, Britney lives in Columbus, Ohio with her husband and rescue dog, Dougal. When she’s not writing, she’s usually found drinking tea and watching ice hockey. Annie is inspired both by the power and strength of female MMA fighters and the incredible women that Britney worked with during an internship in the male-dominated world of the National Hockey League. 

Instagram: @britneybrouwer 

Little Tiger has acquired This Bear Can Stare, a hilarious picture book by bestselling author Philip Ardagh, illustrated by Enrico Lorenzi. 

Editorial director Lauren Ace acquired world rights, all languages, for two books direct from the author. Art director Charlie Moyler acquired illustration rights from Ethan Long at Tugeau 2.  This Bear Can Stare will publish in hardback in May 2026. 

The book’s narrator has been looked upon by all manner of creatures. From a gawping gibbon, to a leering lion; a frowning frog, to a peering python, the animal kingdom is filled with curious creatures – but the stariest of starers turns out to be something quite unexpected!   

A rollicking, rhyming romp through a hilarious cast of animal characters, this is a purely fun and anarchic read with a clever twist. 

 Lauren Ace said:  

This Bear Can Stare is packed full of trademark Ardagh anarchy, with a rhyme that won’t quit, making it an absolute blast to read aloud. Enrico’s zingy, characterful renderings of Philip’s ludicrous cast of animals complete the package. We’ve had such fun putting these two together and seeing the creative sparks fly. 

Philip Ardagh said: 

 I don’t think I’ve ever sold a picture-book text so quickly. Little Tiger seemed the right fit for This Bear Can Stare the moment I spoke with Lauren Ace and her team. And, talking of teamwork, being paired with illustrator Enrico Lorenzi was a stroke of genius. I love what he and Art Director Charlie Moyler have achieved. Roll on our next collaboration! 

Enrico Lorenzi said: 

Working on This Bear Can Stare has been such a fun experience—it gave me the chance to experiment and bring to life a world of funny, weird, and lovable animals. I really enjoyed exploring textures and bright colours to capture the story’s atmosphere, and I can’t wait to share it with readers. 

Little Tiger will publish This Bear Can Stare in May 2026, with book 2 to follow in Spring 2027. 

Philip Ardagh is a prolific writer who has been published in 40 languages around the world. His titles include the bestselling Eddie Dickens trilogy, High in the Clouds, co-written with Paul McCartney, and Stinking Rich and Just Plain Stinky, the winner of the 2009 Roald Dahl Funny Prize. He stands two metres tall with a most impressive beard, and lives with his wife and son in Kent, the Garden of England. 

Instagram/X: @philipardagh 

Enrico Lorenzi is an Italian illustrator born and raised in a small seaside town in Liguria (Italy) and currently residing in Florence, surrounded by beauty. Since he was a child, drawing has been his greatest passion and companion – Enrico spent most of his time lost in his sketchbook. Enrico loves getting lost in an endless search, finding and trying new techniques and mixing traditional, engraving and digital styles. His works range in different genres, from non-fiction books to illustrated books. 

Instagram: @enrico.lorenzi 

Little Tiger has acquired Mo’s Stick, an imaginative picture book by Fiona Lumbers. 

Art director Charlie Moyler and Editorial director Lauren Ace acquired world rights, all languages, for two picture books from Jodie Hodges at United Agents. Mo’s Stick will publish in hardback in April 2026. 

When Mo’s favourite stick goes missing, the little mouse is bereft. The other sticks on offer simply will not do. As Mo explains, these other sticks cannot achieve all of the wonderful things the original was capable of. But is it truly the stick which is special, or could it be Mo’s wild and wonderful imagination which made it so? 

A charming new pre-school character whose first adventure is a celebration of creativity and imagination. 

Charlie Moyler said: 

Fiona Lumbers is a beacon of joy in British publishing. She has established herself as a fundamental pursuer and champion of pre-school creativity and kindness – and both are infectious. We are thrilled to be bringing Mo, Fiona’s sweetest new character, to bookshelves from next year, and hope to grow a series that imbues this wonderful author-illustrator’s child-centered playfulness with pitch perfect simplicity that speaks to toddlers and carers alike. 

Fiona Lumbers said: 

I am so thrilled to be publishing Mo’s Stick with the fabulous team at Little Tiger. It has been a complete joy to work so collaboratively with Lauren Ace and Charlie Moyler to build such a colourful world for my little mouse to inhabit. I cannot wait for readers to explore Mo’s world and wild imagination. 

Little Tiger will publish Mo’s Stick in April 2026, with book 2 to follow in Spring 2027.  

Fiona Lumbers has drawn on anything and everything from an early age and always insisted she would be an artist when she grew up. Fiona moved to London in 2000 to study for an MA in Painting at the Royal College of Art. A combination of her obsession with picture books and the arrival of her first son led her down the path of illustration and she hasn’t looked back since. Nothing makes her happier than splashing watercolours and inks and conjuring up new characters – often influenced by the exploits of her two sons. Fiona is the illustrator of the bestselling Luna Loves… series, written by Joseph Coelho, and wrote and illustrated the critically-acclaimed Clem and Crab. 

Instagram: @fiona_lumbers 

Little Tiger has acquired The Gumdrops, the first book in a new interactive graphic novel series by award-winning illustrator and author Elissa Elwick. 

Art Director Charlie Moyler and Editorial Director Lauren Ace have acquired world rights, all languages, from Jodie Hodges at United Agents. Senior Commissioning Editor Mattie Whitehead and Designer Sophie Bransby are working on the books. The Gumdrops will publish in March 2026. 

The books take place in Imagination Land, the place where everything that is imagined lives – from books to imaginary friends, from dreams to nightmares! It is looked after by the Gumdrops – the very first imaginary friends. 

The Gumdrops are always up for a challenge – and when they get a letter from a child in need of an imaginary friend, they have their work cut out! They must search the Land of Imagination to find the ingredients for the perfect companion. But their nemesis, the incongruously cute Evilee, is out to thwart them at every turn.  

The stories incorporate interactive elements to encourage children to use their imagination and engage with the story.  

Charlie Moyler said: 

It is rare to find a young series that reads like a publisher’s wish list whilst feeling utterly original and yet reassuringly familiar, but Elissa Elwick has managed just that. In The Gumdrops, expect reader participation, laugh-out-loud humour, and a cute, fluffy, sparkly, bubbly bundle of new friends that will light up readers’ imaginations. This new graphic novel series is an absolute feast for the eyes and a joy to behold – a cross between Care Bears and Inside Out that is utterly irresistible and brilliantly funny. We are extremely excited to launch this new series with such a talented creator. 

Elissa Elwick said: 

 I’m having so much fun working on The Gumdrops, when I sat down to write the script and sketch some roughs it felt like they simply walked straight out of my imagination fully formed, and I have the simple joy of following them around to see what they get up to. With the graphic novel format I sometimes feel like I’m animating the characters, really brining them to life, and I’ve loved the challenge of telling their story via images and dialogue only. Charlie, Lauren, Sophie and Mattie at Little Tiger are a dream to work with. Thanks as always to my agent, Jodie Hodges at United Agents for making this series a reality. 

Little Tiger will be publishing The Gumdrops in March 2025, with book two to follow in Autumn 2026. 

Elissa Elwick is an award-winning children’s book illustrator and author based in Cardiff. She graduated from Arts University Bournemouth in 2008, published her first self-authored picture book shortly after, and has been illustrating and writing ever since. She co-created the picture book series LITTLE ADVENTURERS with author Philip Ardagh, and has performed at schools and book festivals internationally. Elissa also cohosts the podcast Friends with Pens with illustrator/author Jo Lindley. 

Instagram: @elissaelwick