Puffin signs ‘captivating’ picture book by Rob Brydon and Ellie Snowdon
Puffin has acquired The Cat in the Cupboard, a “hilarious and warm” picture book debut by Welsh actor, comedian and writer Rob Brydon, illustrated by Ellie Snowdon.
Publisher Andrea MacDonald acquired world rights for two picture books featuring Crumble the cat from Zoe Ross and Robert Kirby at United Agents, with illustrations acquired from Daisy Bee Butterworth at The Plum Agency.
The Cat in the Cupboard will be published on 10th September 2026. Inspired by Brydon’s own ginger family cat, and by the stories he invented for his children, the book follows Crumble as he slips through his cupboard cat flap and into a different garden adventure each time.
The synopsis reads: “Crumble’s unusual route into his outdoor playground, through a cupboard, lends his escapades a touch of Narnia-like magic. In this story, he steps straight into a sticky situation when he comes face to face with his arch-nemesis: the formidable next-door neighbour, with whom he has an ongoing battle of wills. When Crumble’s beloved toy, Fluffy Mouse, falls into enemy hands, he must embark on a daring rescue mission, but next door is a dangerous place for a plucky cat.”
The publisher says of the publication: “Written in humorous and playful rhyme, Brydon brings his own distinctive voice and love of verse to the text. Brought vividly to life by Ellie Snowdon’s gorgeous illustrations, full of warmth, humour and expressive detail, Crumble’s world bursts with character on every page, perfectly capturing both the mischief and heart of his adventures. Together, Brydon and Snowdon create a story to be treasured by children and adults alike, marking the arrival of an exciting new author–illustrator duo.”
Brydon said: “My own cat, Crumble, is a ginger tom who accesses his cat flap through a cupboard in my kitchen. It struck me that ‘The Cat in the Cupboard’ had a nice rhythm and feel – the way the words rolled off the tongue. After a while of making up rhymes based around this for my own enjoyment, I wondered if it would make a lovely book for children.
“I’ve always enjoyed rhythm and rhyme; making up songs in my stage shows and stories for my children and reading them the wonderful work of writers like Shirley Hughes and Julia Donaldson. To see Crumble come to life through the inspired and beautiful illustrations of Ellie Snowdon has only added to my enjoyment. I’m really hoping that The Cat in the Cupboard fires the imagination of both young readers and the adults reading to them, creating opportunities for shared moments of reading pleasure.”
Snowdon said: "I am so thrilled to be illustrating Rob’s fantastic picture book debut. Creating the mischievous and lovable character of Crumble has been a delight and I cannot wait to bring the rest of Crumble’s world to life. I hope children have as much fun reading about his adventures, as I have had illustrating them.”
MacDonald said: “From the very first read I was captivated by Rob’s storytelling voice and knew we needed to publish his first children’s books here at Puffin. You can hear his inimitable mellifluous tones threaded through his pitch-perfect rhyme, conjuring a cosy classic world of pure picture-book joy. I couldn’t be more thrilled to introduce children and adults to Rob’s writing and Crumble’s adventures. Complemented by Ellie’s wonderful warm and humorous illustrations, these are books that are brilliantly funny, of course, incredibly satisfying and a real treat to read aloud.”
