HarperCollins Children’s Books unveil landmark new title from picture book superstar, Oliver Jeffers
HarperCollins Children’s Books is thrilled to launch a new title written and illustrated by world-renowned picture book maker, Oliver Jeffers. Publishing in hardback in November 2017 and inspired by the birth of Oliver’s son, Harland, Here We Are is a moving and thought-provoking book in which Oliver takes the reader on a journey through a series of heartfelt notes introducing planet earth. From land and sky, to people and time, the notes explore what makes the world and how we live in it, all told in Oliver’s inimitable style and accompanied by his stunning illustration.
Publication of Here We Are will build on the heritage of Oliver Jeffers’ classic and original picture books which have set him apart as a bestselling, master picture book maker.
Alongside the new title, HarperCollins Children’s Books is delighted to announce a new two-book deal for future publishing. Published by HarperCollins Children’s Books for more than a decade the new deal will see the publisher remain principle home for the picture book star following the success of titles such as Lost and Found, Once Upon an Alphabet, The Incredible Book Eating Boy and How to Catch a Star.
Ann-Janine Murtagh, Executive Publisher at HarperCollins Children’s Books, said, ‘We are immensely proud to be the original and future home of Oliver’s solo picture books. Here We Are is an extraordinarily beautiful and prescient picture book. When I first saw the art for this book I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the illustration and tender truth of the words. Oliver’s new book is visionary, and both intensely personal and universal in its theme. It is a timely book that speaks to the heart and will appeal across all ages.’
Oliver Jeffers said, ‘This book has been a year and a half in the making and is based on the things I started saying to my newborn son the moment we took him home from the hospital. It started off as a book about the realisation that new life is a blank slate, and the responsibility of being a new parent. But over the next year, as global events started taking weird and scary turns, it felt like it became more urgent to reinforce these basic things my parents taught me about the simple principles of humanity, and that while, each one of us might feel unique and special, we are all in this together.’
About the Author
Oliver Jeffers has sold over six million copies, in 39 territories worldwide. 2.7 million of those sales are in translated and licensed editions. He has been the recipient of some of children’s books highest accolades, including the Nestle Gold Medal for Lost and Found and the Irish Picture Book of the Year for The Incredible Book Eating Boy. An animated film of Oliver’s book Lost and Found won a BAFTA for Best Animation in 2009.
