A decade of publishing being marked with ‘biggest book party ever’.
HarperCollins Children’s Books is marking a decade of David Walliams publishing and his success as a children’s author with a raft of activity.
The company will publish ‘spectacularly special’ anniversary editions of four of his best-loved books; his first two novels and two of his most beloved titles.
Published in colour for the very first time, the lavish editions will feature new illustrations from David’s signature illustrators, Sir Quentin Blake and Tony Ross, with unique introductions to the stories from the author himself.
The titles will launch next month with Mr Stink and Gangsta Granny publishing on March 8, followed by Grandpa’s Great Escape on July 26 and The Boy in the Dress on November 1.
The special editions will only be printed during the anniversary year.
In a year-long party, children across the nation will also be encouraged to join in the celebrations.
Walliams Week lands in June and features a return of the helicopter tour – bigger and bolder than before. David Walliams Live event extravaganza will see David appear at key literary festivals and go on a regional theatre tour, as well as a media campaign reaching more readers than ever before.
In addition, in a partnership first, cultural education charity Shakespeare Schools Foundation will join forces with HarperCollins Children’s Books to bring David’s stories to life. Primary schools will be recruited to produce an abridged dramatic performance based on his books.
David commented: “It is hard to believe there are children reading my books who hadn’t been born when I started writing them. What started off as a something of a hobby for me has completely taken over my life.
“I am thrilled with the special colour editions of my books, and am planning to spend as much time as I can this year meeting my young readers.”
HarperCollins Children’s Books executive publisher, Ann-Janine Murtagh, added: “It’s been the most extraordinarily exhilarating ten years since David’s ground-breaking debut The Boy in the Dress was so perfectly illustrated by Quentin.
“David has remained tireless in creating unforgettable and truly original stories for children with each and every one of his books written from the heart. We are very proud to be David Walliams’ publishers and look forward to sharing this glorious anniversary with his readers across the globe.”
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