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Bussell dances with HarperCollins

28.03.08

HarperCollins has ambitious plans to build ballet star Darcey Bussell as a long-term brand in children's fiction. The publisher has secured world rights in her Magic Ballerina series, aimed at girls aged five to eight, and will be taking the property to next week's Bologna Book Fair.

Magic Ballerina follows the adventures of Delphie, a girl who joins Madame Zarakova's ballet school and finds her ballet shoes whisk her away to the world of Enchantia. It will launch with an initial six titles in October followed by a second wave in spring 2009. HC is also planning a 2009 picture book, Ballerina Bear, for younger readers.

HC's children's fiction publisher Ann-Janine Murtagh did the deal with Bussell's agent, Steven Howard of TCB. Murtagh said: "This is the start of a very significant series and a brand we will be building across different media and long-term. The world of ballet is wondrous, and Darcey has such integrity and has danced all the major roles."

Bussell has collaborated with an established children's writer, said Murtagh. "She has brought in her own experience of starting ballet school at the age of five, as well as what she has learned from being the mother of two young daughters who come to watch her dance."

Bussell was awarded the MBE and the OBE during her stellar career with the Royal Ballet, from which she retired last year. She has since toured with opera singer Katherine Jenkins in musical "Viva La Diva".

Childrens HarperCollins Rights deal Darcy Bussell

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