HarperCollins Children’s Books has acquired World rights, including film, TV and merchandising for a fantastic new series for middle-grade readers by Siân Pattenden, entitled The Peppers. The deal was concluded by Editorial Director, Harriet Wilson of HarperCollins Children’s Books and Clare Conville of Conville and Walsh literary agency. The first book in the series, published in February 2012, introduces the indomitable Pepper twins, Esme and Monty, who are spending their summer holiday with their bumbling Uncle Snapely.

Snapely is an enthusiastic member of the International Magic Guys organisation, so when it is threatened with closure the twins must use every trick in the book to save it ... except no one can find the book, or the white rabbit, or the escapologist. They’ll just have to rely on wits, daring and some quite complex mechanical engineering.

Siân Pattenden is an author and artist. At sixteen she was the youngest playwright at the Edinburgh Fringe festival and she has since written for Smash Hits, NME, the Face, Guardian, Word and many others. She’s been one half of a band called 100% Ponies and has appeared in ‘Doctor Who’ as Young Tegan (wearing a wig).

Harriet Wilson commented, “The Peppers reads like a classic in the making and I am thrilled to have signed up this stellar new series for the 9-11 age-group. Siân is a unique voice, and Esme and Monty are an unbeatable double act. Their hilarious adventures are a truly magical reading experience.”