Hachette Children’s Group have signed a beautiful and heartwarming new picture book from bestselling author and illustrator Guy Parker-Rees.
STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT is a tale of love, connection and taking your first steps in the world. Described as “utterly charming and gently reassuring”, the tale will be perfect for sharing at bedtime. STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT marks the latest picture book collaboration between Hachette and Guy, who has been a star of the publisher’s list for many years with popular titles including SPOOKYRUMPUS (written by Tony Mitton), ELEPHANT ME and the classic GIRAFFES CAN’T DANCE (both written by Giles Andreae).
Molly Littleboy, then Senior Editor at HCG, acquired world all-language rights from Jessica Hare at The Agency. The project is being published by Jen Long, Senior Commissioning Editor for preschool and picture books. STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT will publish in hardback in October 2026 and in paperback in September 2027, under Hachette’s Orchard imprint.
Jen Long says: “Guy is a star of Orchard’s list, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be publishing this beautiful, heartfelt book. Inspired by the much-loved rhyme, ‘Star light, star bright’, Guy has crafted an utterly charming and reassuring tale about taking your first steps in the world, perfect for snuggling up and enjoying together.”
Guy added: “I’ve been wanting to make this book ever since I became a parent. Star Light, Star Bright is a celebration of the magic of bedtime stories. It shows how, by passing on our love, we give our children the confidence they need to bravely venture out into the world to become the stars of their own stories.”
The news has been announced in trade press Book Brunch alongside a cover reveal on Instagram in collaboration with The Picture Book Professor.
For the Book Brunch announcement, click here
For the Instagram cover reveal, click here
