HarperCollins UK to Release Bottersnikes and Gumbles Books

LONDON: In a joint acquisition with HarperCollins Australia, HarperCollins UK is publishing a collection of S.A. Wakefield’s Bottersnikes and Gumbles stories to coincide with the TV series adaptation slated to air on CBBC in the U.K. in July.

Set in the Australian bush, The Adventures of Bottersnikes and Gumbles tells the story of the grouchy Bottersnikes as they attempt to capture the fun-loving Gumbles. The collection combines favorite stories from the four classic books with the original black and white illustrations by Desmond Digby. Harriet Wilson for HarperCollins UK and Lisa Berryman for HarperCollins Australia acquired world English-language rights from Barbara Mobbs of Barbara Mobbs Literary Agency.

The new CGI kids’ series based on the beloved Australian stories is co-produced by CAKE, Cheeky Little Media and Mighty Nice for CBBC in the U.K., Seven Network Australia and Netflix. The 52×11-minute show is distributed worldwide by CAKE and won the Pulcinella Award for best kids’ TV series at Cartoons on the Bay in Venice.

Wilson commented: “These books were treasured childhood favorites of mine. I was thrilled to revisit them and discover that they’re every bit as playful, inventive and funny as I remembered. Young readers will delight in the naughtiness of the Bottersnikes while the adorable Gumbles are sure to win their hearts.”