We know fans of award-winning Middle Grade writer Anna Fargher have been patiently waiting for updates – and we’re thrilled that the wait is over! The author of the bestselling Umbrella Mouse series has just been signed on for two new books with Macmillan – the first being a fast-paced historical adventure, The Fire Cats of London.
World English rights were acquired by Macmillan Children’s Books from Chloe Seager, and will be edited by Sarah Hughes. Publication is primed for March 2022, and the book is available to preorder now.
Anna has a proven gift for whimsical historical tales with dynamic animal casts, as shown is the massive success of her debut, The Umbrella Mouse; the book won a Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Award as well as a Waterstones Book of The Month slot following its 2019 publication, cementing her as a stellar new voice in children’s fiction.
Praise for The Umbrella Mouse:
“An ambitious and wonderfully well-achieved first novel.” Michael Morpurgo, best-selling author of War Horse
“A spellbinding tale of bravery and hope, where courage is found in the smallest of heroes.” Gill Lewis, author of Sky Hawk
“[an] enchanting first novel . . . beautifully written.” The Telegraph
“Brims with courage, friendship and adventure.” The Bookseller
Alongside winning illustrations by Sam Usher, Anna’s new story transports us to the summer of 1666, and follows a group of wildcats in a race against time amidst the impending threat of the Great Fire of London.
Young wildcats, Asta and Ash, find themselves captured and taken from their home in the forest to an apothecary’s shop in the heart of London in the summer of 1666, when fear and superstition are rife. Asta’s determination to escape, leads them to Miriam, a healer with a soft spot for animals. Treated by the people of London as a witch, no one will listen to Miriam when she tries to warn them that something terrible is about to happen. So when Asta and Ash overhear a dangerous plot to destroy London, they embark on a perilous race against time to clear Miriam’s name before the flames are let loose on the city.
Beautifully illustrated by Sam Usher, Asta and Ash will take you on an inspiring journey around London during the most infamous fire in British history.
Anna Fargher was raised in a creative hub on the Suffolk coast by an artist and a ballet teacher. She read English Literature at Goldsmiths before working in the British art world and opening her own gallery. She wrote her debut, The Umbrella Mouse, on her iPhone notepad during her daily commute on the London Underground. She lives in London and Suffolk.
