We are thrilled to announce that Paul Moreton has sold world rights for Oliver Jeffers's “exquisite” new picture book, What We’ll Build, to Ann-Janine Murtagh, executive publisher at HarperCollins Children’s Books.
What We’ll Build, written and illustrated for Oliver’s daughter, will publish globally on 6th October, with a simultaneous release in audio and e-book. This fits as the perfect companion to Oliver’s previous smash hit, Here We Are, that has now sold over one million copies world-wide!
What We’ll Build is an enchanting story of a father and a daughter who set about laying the foundations for their life together, building memories to cherish, a home to keep them safe and love to keep them warm. This rare and enduring story is about a parent’s boundless love, life’s endless opportunities and challenges, and the tools needed to build a together future.
A note from Oliver:
When my son was born, Here We Are was written for him as I tried to make sense of the world for both of us. Not long after our daughter was born, I realised I’d never hear the end of it if she didn’t get a book too, so it’s a good thing I was experiencing a not-dissimilar internal dialogue of transition with new parenthood. For one thing, contemplating the importance of raising a daughter in what will hopefully soon no longer be a man’s world, but more than that, this poem contemplates what home is, the importance of family, but also the strength of the invisible bonds of any loving relationship through thick and thin. It is all about the pure potential of what will come, both good and bad, and how, ultimately, people need each other. Even if that is just for someone to listen to all your plans.
A note from Ann-Janine Murtagh, executive publisher at HarperCollins Children’s Books:
We are immensely proud to publish Oliver Jeffers on the HarperCollins list and can’t wait to bring his incredible new book to the world. Following the phenomenal success of Here We Are, Oliver continues to break the boundaries of picture book publishing in this companion which is beyond beautiful. Oliver’s genius for capturing human emotion and aspirations within his words and pictures creates a book so full of love and compassion it will make your heart sing. What We’ll Build is profoundly moving, sublimely beautiful and quite simply the most perfect picture book. It is set to be one of the biggest picture-book launches ever.
