Acquisition Announcement

Little Tiger has acquired I Am Strong Just Being Me, an empowering new picture book from award-winning author Laura Dockrill, illustrated by Kip Alizadeh.

Perry Emerson, Commissioning Editor at Little Tiger, acquired world rights from Jodie Hodges at United Agents, with illustrations being acquired from Mandy Suhr at Storywise. I Am Strong Just Being Me will publish in Spring 2025.

From the power of silence to the strength of an embrace, a curious young child explores the many different ways to be strong in this thought-provoking, beautifully illustrated book.

Perry Emerson, Commissioning Editor said:

It has been an incredible honour to work alongside Laura Dockrill and Kip Alizadeh, two hugely talented picture book makers, to create I Am Strong Just Being Me. Laura’s unmatched picture book voice, and Kip’s stunning, cleverly considered illustrations have come together to create a gorgeous book that works on many levels to convey a powerful, and empowering, message about the kinder, gentler and more empathetic ways we can be ‘strong’. We couldn’t be prouder to be publishing this book on the Little Tiger list.

 Laura Dockrill said:

We put a lot of pressure on young people to be ‘strong.’ This demand expects a lot from us, and I find sets off anxiety, trigger-shoots my nervous system and sends me into ‘fight or flight.’ But when I am kind to myself, I am able to cope better, to think clearer and to celebrate my efforts. I Am Strong Just Being Me is a book about being human, asking for help and leading with love. I hope that it will help my son navigate the world with softness and remind him that it’s ok to keep learning as we go. Kip has done the most beautiful job with the illustrations in capturing the metaphor of a garden to show how nature constantly learns to adapt and thrive in the face of adversity. This really is a group effort, and I’m so proud of this special book we’ve created.

Kip Alizadeh said:

I was inspired to make the illustrations for I Am Strong Just Being Me by my own experiences of non-traditional strength and resilience, especially what I witness in nature. I used sketches of trees, flowers, animals and people that I’ve drawn while out and about as reference for the artwork, and I based the character of Bean on myself as a child!

Little Tiger will publish I Am Strong Just Being Me in Spring 2025.

‘Everyone’s falling for Laura Dockrill’ VOGUE

Laura Dockrill is an award-winning writer from Brixton, South London.

Laura is the author of Angry Cookie and The Lipstick. Her first book for children, Darcy Burdock, was shortlisted for the Waterstones Book of The Year Prize and the Carnegie Medal, and her young adult novel Big Bones was shortlisted for the YA Book Prize 2018 and earned her plaudits like ‘Top 10 Literary Talent’ from The Times newspaper and Top 20 Hot Faces to Watch from Elle magazine.

Laura’s upcoming picture book Grey, illustrated by Lauren Child, publishes in May 2024.

Author social media handles

Instagram: @lauraleedockrill
Twitter/X: @LauraDockrill

Kip is an illustrator and visual artist. Recent projects include illustrating the Lambda Literary Award nominated The Wishing Flower written by AJ Irving. Kip is queer, Iranian and English and lives in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Illustrator social media handles

Instagram: @kipalizadeh
Twitter/X: @kipalizadeh

Little Tiger has acquired Nathanael Lessore’s brilliantly funny young middle grade series, NOT My Superpower, illustrated by Simran Singh.

Senior Commissioning Editor Mattie Whitehead has acquired Nathanael Lessore’s NOT My Superpower series. The deal for world all language rights in two books was struck with Clare Wallace at Darley Anderson Children’s Book Agency. Whitehead will be editing alongside Karelle Tobias, Junior Editor.

Charlie Moyler, Art Director, acquired illustrations by Simran Singh from Davinia Andrew-Lynch at Curtis Brown, and Kat Cassidy, Junior Designer, will be designing the books.

Controlling the wind, smelling fear, farting colours… The people of Walsham can do it all! The WHOLE TOWN has been granted powers by a mysterious treasure, except for Sara. She can’t even levitate a squirrel!

But the school football trophy (and her best friend Georgie’s lucky charm) has been stolen, and powers or no powers, it’s up to her to find it and catch the criminal. And who knows – maybe Sara will discover her super skills in the process… (She certainly hopes she will!).

Mattie Whitehead and Karelle Tobias said:

Anyone who has read Nate’s books or has met him will know that his humour is next level. That humour combined with great characters, a twisty mystery and a dollop of silly superpowers makes this series an absolute treat. We’ve loved and laughed working on the series with Nate and we can’t wait for readers to meet Sara and her friends (and nemeses…) and discover their own superpowers.

Nathanael Lessore said:

Having grown up as the biggest superhero nerd, consuming anything DC or Marvel, it’s a dream come true to write my own superhero story with such a talented and thoughtful publisher behind me. My editors are just as playful and whacky with the ideas as I am, and Simran’s illustrations bring the characters and the world to life in a spectacularly fun way! Sara and her friends prove that being a hero is about more than just wearing a cape, and friendship is more effective than any superpower. 

Simran Singh said:

I’m so excited to work on this project and CAN’T WAIT ’til its release. I’ve loved designing the characters so far and I’m so looking forward to illustrating all their goofy scenes!

Little Tiger will be publishing Solving Crime is NOT my Superpower in March 2025, with book two, Time Travel is NOT my Superpower, to follow in Autumn 2025.

Nathanael Lessore was born in Camberwell, South East London, as one of eight children to French and Madagascan parents. Although he spent most of his life in Peckham, Nathanael has also lived in Paris, Strasbourg, and Singapore. Nathanael became a Marketing Executive after graduating from the University of East London, believing at the time that a Creative Writing degree destined him for a career in marketing. His debut Steady For This published in 2023 and is currently longlisted for the Branford Boase and Jhalak Prize, and shortlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing. Writing it gave him the opportunity to show his Southeast London childhood as the funny, warm, adventurous world that wasn’t always represented as such.

Author social media handles

Twitter/X: @NateLessore

 

Simran Singh is an illustrator and character designer based in East London. She has always been in awe of everything creative, especially when it comes to world-building and bringing characters to life!

Little Tiger has acquired I’m Going to Make a Friend, the first ever picture book from Darren Chetty.

Maudie Powell Tuck, Senior Commissioning Editor at Little Tiger, acquired world rights from Rachel Mann at JULA (now at CAA) in a three-book deal. I’m Going to Make a Friend will publish in hardback in May 2025 and is illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat.

Sometimes it feels impossible to make a new friend. There are so many questions! Will they play how I want to play? Will they have other friends, or like me most of all? Will they hug me when I’m sad, or give me space? In the end, the only thing you can do is to dive in and give it a go.

Stephanie Stansbie, Editorial Director said:

We’re thrilled to be embarking on a relationship with philosopher and author Darren Chetty, who will offer young readers bold and refreshing new perspectives. In his first picture book, Darren cuts straight to the heart of the myriad of emotions – the vulnerability and courage – that it takes to form meaningful relationships. While Sandhya Prabhat’s bright, funny characters and magical illustrations illuminate this heart-warming, original take on the pursuit of friendship.

Darren Chetty said:

Friendships matter when we’re young – and they never stop mattering. I really wanted to write a story about moving house and making friends while also celebrating the power of the imagination. I hope that readers will find the space to enter into the world of the book.  I’m absolutely delighted to be working with Little Tiger on my first picture book!

Little Tiger will publish I’m Going to Make a Friend in May 2025.

Darren Chetty is a Welsh Indian South African Dutch Londoner. He teaches in primary schools and at university and writes for people of all ages. He loves football and music and collects children’s books, snow globes and toy robots.

Author social media handles: Instagram: @rapclassroom | Twitter/X: @rapclassroom

Sandhya Prabhat is an independent animator and illustrator based in the Bay Area, California, and is from Chennai, India. She holds an MFA Degree in Animation and Digital Arts from NYU Tisch School of the Arts Asia and a Bachelor’s Degree in Literature from Stella Maris College.

Illustrator social media handles: Instagram and Twitter/X: @sandhyaprabhat 

 

Little Tiger has acquired Guardians of the New Moon – an adventurous young fiction series inspired by East Asian mythology from Eric Huang, illustrated by Quang and Liên.

Senior Commissioning Editor Mattie Whitehead acquired world rights for four books directly from the author. Whitehead will be working editorially with Charlotte Leung, Editorial Assistant. Kimberley Chen, Designer, acquired illustration rights from Doreen Thorogood at Good Illustration Agency.

Little Tiger will publish books one and two in January 2025, books three and four will follow.

The Jade Emperor is bored. Having just created the world, he wants something to pass the eternity of time! So, he comes up with a brilliant idea – a Great Race! All creatures on Earth will be invited to compete, from the tiny Rat to the great Water Dragon. And the first twelve to complete the race will have a year in the zodiac cycle named after them forevermore.

Temple cat Miaow finds himself (reluctantly) joining the race, where he meets Ming, a spirited and fiery nine-tailed fox determined to become his best friend. The reserved Miaow gradually warms to Ming but when Miaow begins to make other friends, Ming’s bubbling insecurity and impulsivity spill over, causing a series of accidents that disrupts the race and endangers the racers. Will the pair (and their friendship) make it to the finish line?

The first book tells the story of the Great Race – the twelve winners of which make up the Chinese zodiac – and introduces readers to the characters. The first two books will publish to coincide with Lunar New Year, and the series will see Ming and Miaow taking on their new roles as Guardians of the New Moon. Their job: to visit the titular animal at the start of each lunar new year and help ensure the success of that year. And so, the adventure continues…

Mattie Whitehead and Charlotte Leung said:

Packed with humour, magic and fun-filled adventure, we are so excited to be publishing the Guardians of the New Moon series. With Eric’s gorgeous writing and characters that bounce off the page, and beautifully illustrated by Quang and Liên, the series is a perfect celebration of East Asian mythology for younger readers. We can’t wait to join Ming and Miaow and see how the winners of the race cope with their newfound fame!

Eric Huang said:

When my sister and I were growing up in California, our dad told us bedtime stories based on East Asian legends his mother told him when he was a boy in China. He often made us the protagonists of these magical sagas, the ones saving the day after inadvertently wreaking havoc that shook heaven and earth. The Guardians of the New Moon series is inspired by these stories. They’re original adventures that mix the twelve animals of the Lunar Zodiac with magical creatures and unpredictable gods amidst the accidental chaos created by a young cat and nine-tailed fox.”

Quang and Liên said:

The story of the Great Race of Zodiac animals is popular in Asian culture – we grew up with it. It’s interesting to redraw them in a fun way. All of them – Miaow, Ming, Su, Tu Di Gong and the Jade Emperor – come alive in Eric Huang’s writing, we love reading their story. Their actions and expressions appear immediately to us when we read so we just move them onto the paper. And finally, through their story we learn that trying to achieve a goal is important, but the most important thing is finding true friends on the way.    

Eric Huang has always been fascinated by legends and lore. As a boy, he was determined to find real-life dragons, so he studied palaeontology at university. Reality didn’t live up to his Jurassic Park dreams, though, and he found himself working as secretary at Disney Publishing, launching a career in children’s books. Since then, Eric has held editor and publisher positions on three continents, including at Penguin Australia and Penguin UK. Eric lives in London with his boyfriend Brian and cat McNulty. He’s a podcaster, writer, and lecturer at City University of London’s Masters in Publishing programme.

Author social media handles: Twitter/X: @dinoboy89 | Instagram: @EricHuangBooks

 

From their Saigon studio, Quang and Liên work seamlessly as a duo, creating their stunning artwork using a mix of watercolour, acrylic and digital. Inspired by the folk culture of Vietnam and Asia, this incredibly talented award-winning Vietnamese author-illustrator partnership produce the most beautifully vibrant and poignant stories. Select clients include: Google, Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Scholastic, Macmillan, Lerner, Workman, Little Tiger Press, Templar/Bonnier, Charlesbridge, What on Earth Books.

Illustrator social media handles: Instagram: @kaaillustration | Website: https://www.kaaillustration.com/

Little Tiger has acquired Desert Echoes, a propulsive YA novel from Stonewall Honor-winning author Abdi Nazemian.

Mattie Whitehead, Senior Commissioning Editor at Little Tiger, acquired UK & Commonwealth rights from Charlotte Bodman at Rights People, on behalf of John Cusick and Chiara Panzeri at Folio Literary Management, for publication on 29^th September 2024

Fifteen-year-old Kam is head over heels for Ash, the boy who swept him off his feet. But his family and best friend, Bodie, are worried. They struggle to understand Ash. He also has a habit of disappearing, at times for days. When Ash asks Kam to join him on a trip to Joshua Tree, the two of them walk off into the sunset … but only Kam returns.

Two years later, Kam is still left with a hole in his heart and too many unanswered questions. So it feels like fate when a school trip takes him back to Joshua Tree. On the trip, Kam wants to find closure about what happened to Ash, but instead finds himself in danger of facing a similar fate. In the desert, Kam must reckon with the truth of his past relationship – and the possibility of opening himself up to love once again.

Desert Echoes is a moving story about human resilience and connection from the author of Only This Beautiful Moment. Perfect for fans of Last Night at the Telegraph Club, The Great Godden and If You Still Recognise Me.

Mattie Whitehead, Senior Commissioning Editor said:

We were so proud to publish Only This Beautiful Moment in the UK last year, and with Desert Echoes I was similarly drawn into the story. Abdi writes so perfectly for YA readers – combining the everyday lives of teenagers with really important themes in such a natural and nuanced way. With thoughtful characters, intrigue and heart, readers will be gripped by Kam, Ash and Bodie’s story.

Abdi Nazemian said:

Desert Echoes is a deeply personal novel that explores the mystery and power of one of my favorite places, Joshua Tree. It’s an honor that Mattie and the Little Tiger team are bringing the book to one of my other favorite places, the UK. I hope readers in the UK and Commonwealth connect with this story about lost love, found love, and the healing that awaits us when we take the time to listen.  

Little Tiger will publish Desert Echoes in September 2024.

Abdi Nazemian is the author of Only This Beautiful Moment (a Stonewall Award Winner), Like a Love Story (a Stonewall Honor book), The Chandler Legacies and The Authentics. His novel The Walk-In Closet won the Lambda Literary Award for LGBT Debut Fiction. His screenwriting credits include the films The Artist’s Wife and The Quiet, and the television series The Village and Ordinary Joe. He has been an executive producer and associate producer on numerous films, including Call Me by Your Name, Little Woods, and The House of Tomorrow. He lives in Los Angeles with his husband, their two children, and their dog, Disco. Find him online at www.abdinazemian.com

Author social media handles: Instagram: @abdaddy and Twitter/X: @abdaddy