HarperCollins Children’s Books has announced a new three-book contract with picturebook star Rob Biddulph based on Biddulph’s #DrawWithRob videos.
World Rights were secured by Alice Blacker, publishing director, Picture Books, from Jodie Hodges at United Agents. The activity books will be 64-page, full color, interactive drawing guides published in paperback, featuring Biddulph’s picturebook characters. The first book is set to publish in July 2020, book two in October 2020 and book three in May 2021. All will be priced at £6.99.
In response to the closure of schools, Rob Biddulph has also shared his #DrawWithRob videos twice a week on social media, encouraging and teaching children to draw their versions of some of his best-loved picturebook characters, and providing much-needed entertainment for children and parents across the globe in these unprecedented times.
“I have been totally overwhelmed by the response to my #DrawWithRob films,” says Biddulph. “Since I first had the idea before the lockdown started and posted a teaser video from my sofa, the drawings and messages from all over the world have not stopped arriving in my inbox. I'm delighted that I’ve been able to persuade even the most reluctant artist to pick up his or her pencil, and I’m thrilled that these books will, hopefully, keep all of my little Kahlos, Hockneys and Picassos busy long after the quarantine period is over.”