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Puffin has acquired the debut picture book from author-illustrator Al Rodin after a hotly-contested seven-way auction.
Andrea MacDonald, Editorial Director at Puffin Picture Books, bought world rights for Little Echo, the story of a lonely echo who lives in a cave, from Cecilia de la Campa, head of global licensing at Writer's House, on behalf of Lindsay Auld, Rodin's agent. Part of a two-book deal, Little Echo will publish in April 2021.
Rodin, who studied children's book illustration at the Cambridge School of Art and featured in the Illustrator's Exhibition at Bologna in 2019, said: "I'm so delighted to be working with Andrea, Clare and the magical team at Puffin. Puffin books have given me such joy throughout my life and it feels very special to now be working together on making stories. I'm immensely grateful to the Puffin team for their incredible support and encouragement and I can't wait to introduce everyone to Little Echo!"
MacDonald said: “Al is a very special new picture book talent – his artwork fizzes with energy and his stories are threaded through with empathy, emotion and humour. Little Echo captured the hearts and imaginations of all at Puffin, and it’s been my utter privilege to work with Al on bringing his beautiful, original work out into the world.”