Katie Haworth, Senior Editor, Play (Fiction), DK+
I commission children’s fiction from picture books to YA and develop it in collaboration with some of the world’s most popular toys, games, TV shows and films. Creating licensed titles is an incredible opportunity to bring books to where young readers are so they can delve deeper into their favourite worlds and characters.
I’m interested in stories and writing which is immersive and immediate. Whatever book a child picks up, it should be transporting. I passionately believe that every child can become a reader - as long as books are made that speak their language.
I love working with authors and illustrators at all stages of the process, and I’m especially interested in collaborating with licensors and authors and illustrators on concept development. I always aim to find storytelling that is rich, ideas which spark independent thought, and characters that young readers relate to. I’m very partial to a bit of absurdest humour too!
A book I’m proud of…
I’m very proud of being part of the team that worked on Jeffrey Brown’s Nikolas Nurdblok and the Lost Brick. In this illustrated midgrade novel, Jeff takes his extensive knowledge of LEGO® building and uses it to create an epic quest tale. It’s a hilarious story, and it’s full of creativity and building. The story and art was created in close collaboration with the LEGO team and any fans of the LEGO world will adore the play which is a key part of the story … as well as the clever LEGO build in-jokes!
A book I wish I’d published…
Max Brooks’ The Island is one of my favourite licensed novels. It’s a survivalist thriller set in a world which players will recognise as Minecraft but which the main character experiences as life or death. It’s an incredibly creative story based on a gaming world which isn’t necessarily narrative when you play. I’m also a little envious of the new Babysitters Club books which were turned into graphic novels by Raina Telgemeier. I’m a 90s kid and it’s exciting to see how the stories I grew up with are meeting a new audience.