Hachette Children’s to publish two picture books from Smriti Halls and Ged Adamson
Hachette Children’s Books (HCG) will publish two picture books from author-illustrator Smriti Halls and illustrator Ged Adamson. Rebecca Anastasi, senior editor, picture books at HCG, acquired world rights, including language, audio, film and TV rights to School for Little Scaries from Jodie Hodges at United Agents.
Adamson’s illustrations were acquired from Isabel Atherton at Creative Authors. The titles will be brought to publication by senior editor Chloe Fitzsimmons. There is already a US rights deal in place with an edition retitled School for Little Monsters, publishing with Farrar, Straus and Giroux’s Books for Young Readers imprint.
School for Little Scaries will be released in paperback on 13th August 2026 and features an adorable cast of Halloween characters at school. The synopsis continues: “Join a day in their classroom as they howl with Mr Werewolf, play hide-and-seek with Gertie Ghost and try to stick Skelly back together. Little ones will love recognising their favourite lessons: from Circle Time with Madame Fright to counting potion ingredients in maths.”
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Halls said: “I’m so excited to be bringing School for Little Scaries into the world with Hachette and delighted to be paired with Ged for these books. It has been a spine-tingling thrill to watch him bring this cast of THE most adorable spooky characters and hilarious scenes to life.”
“Being at school or nursery is such a big step for little ones (and sometimes for their grown-ups too!) so I’m hoping this delicious school series, which mixes the familiar with the fantastical, will provide fun and giggles aplenty and help children build confidence to join in and make friends. I also hope it will be much enjoyed at story time by all the wonderful teachers and support staff who bring magic into classrooms every single day!”
Adamson said: “Being asked to do the art for School for Little Scaries was a great opportunity to work with Smriti. Her stories are always so clever and playful. Illustrating all those ghostly scenes and giving the characters their individual looks and personalities was lots of fun. Smriti has created a lovely beginning to this series!”
Fitzsimmons said: “We are so thrilled to be publishing this joyful celebration of school and nursery from Smriti Halls and Ged Adamson. With Smriti’s sparkling, upbeat rhyme and Ged’s gloriously playful illustrations, we just know this adorably spooky book will be loved by little ones everywhere – whether they are at school or nursery already, or just about to start!”
