The Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen secures seven-book deal with Puffin

Puffin has acquired seven new children’s books from Amanda Owen, better known as the Yorkshire Shepherdess.

Spanning picture books, as well as middle-grade non-fiction and fiction, the acquisition marks Owen’s debut as a children’s author.

Puffin editor Katie Sinfield acquired world all-language rights for seven books from Jo Cantello, Owen’s agent at Wolfsong Media.

Blending her farming expertise with her down-to-earth voice as a Sunday Times bestselling author of non-fiction, the first book – Christmas Tales from the Farm – is set to be published on 11th September 2025. The book is illustrated by Becca Hall.

Christmas Tales from the Farm is a collection of festive short stories for readers aged eight to 12, and is inspired by the real-life family adventures at Ravenseat Farm captured on her Channel 5 and Channel 4 TV shows.

Owen said: “I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to enter the world of children’s books with Puffin. As a mother myself, I know firsthand the joy that books can bring to young readers and how a book can stay with you into adulthood, take you places and open up new worlds.”

Sinfield added: “It felt only natural to bring Amanda’s remarkable farming experience and wonderful gift for storytelling to young readers. I can’t wait for families everywhere to meet real-life characters such as Chalky the dog and Coco the sheep, and to experience the magic of Ravenseat Farm through the warmth of Amanda’s bestselling writing and Becca Hall’s beautiful illustrations.”

Cantello said: “It’s a dream come true to be working with the fantastically talented and supportive Puffin team on Amanda’s first children’s title, having spent my childhood with my nose buried deep in their books. We can’t wait to see how Christmas Tales from the Farm is received and to introduce Amanda’s incredible gift for storytelling and her characterful farmyard animals to a new audience.”