Scholastic to publish Sylvia Bishop

DKW and Scholastic are thrilled to announce that Scholastic has acquired two titles from 24-year-old debut author Sylvia Bishop. Lucy Rogers acquired world rights from agent Bryony Woods. The first title, Erica’s Elephant, is a warm, funny and ever-so-slightly bonkers story about friendship, family and elephants that is guaranteed to enchant young readers aged 7–9.

When Erica Perkins wakes up on the morning of her tenth birthday, the last thing she expects is to find a very confused elephant sitting on her doorstep. So begins an unlikely friendship. But can a small girl and a rather large elephant learn to live together in a tiny terraced house? And when the dastardly owner of the local zoo plots to steal the elephant, will Erica be able to outsmart him?

Sylvia Bishop has recently graduated from Oxford. She now works as a researcher and is one half of improvised comedy duo Peablossom Cabaret (www.peablossomcabaret.com). Erica’s Elephant is her first book.

Sylvia Bishop said: “I’m so delighted that Erica’s Elephant has found a home at Scholastic, with an editor and team that have such a great vision for the book. It is still a little strange to think that so many other people now know and care about the Elephant – and incredibly exciting to talk with them about his future! I can’t wait to work with this amazing team, and for children to meet Erica and her Elephant in 2016.”

Lucy Rogers said: “I fell for Erica and her Elephant instantly. For me, this has it all: a plucky heroine, bags of humour, a heart-warming ending and a very special elephant!”

Bryony Woods said: “I’ve loved Sylvia’s writing from the very first page that I read. It’s so incredibly rare to find an author with such a gift for humour and heart when writing for this age group, and I couldn’t be more thrilled that Sylvia has found a home at Scholastic.”

Scholastic plans to publish Erica’s Elephant in spring 2016.