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HarperCollins has bought world-wide rights for two picture books in a "vibrant, luminous and child-friendly" series by author and Skulduggery Pleasant illustrator Tom Percival.
Sue Buswell, freelance editor working with HC, bought the titles directly from Percival. The deal, for an undisclosed sum, includes merchandising, audio and e-book rights.
The first book in the series, Tobias and the Super Spooky Ghost Book, will be published in October 2010. It is about a lonely ghost who lives in an empty house with no-one to scare until a girl called Eliza moves in with her family.
Percival has previously illustrated book covers for Anthony Horowitz’s The Switch, Granny and Devil and his Boy as well as The Shadow Thief by Alexandra Adornetto, Spook School by Pete Johnson and the award winning Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy.
Kate Burns, deputy publisher of children's books, said the debut "launches an extraordinary new talent into the picture book arena".
She added: "His witty and insightful tale of a spirited little ghost looking for friendship brings an exciting new character to the list, perfect for picture books, merchandise and animation. Tom's mixed-media illustrations are vibrant, luminous and child-friendly, ensuring that the book was extremely well-received at the Frankfurt Book Fair. Our rights team anticipate strong sales worldwide."