In a bid to broaden its middle-grade fiction selection, Sweet Cherry Publishing, Leicester’s highly acclaimed independent publisher, has inked a 3-book agreement with Rutendo Dione.
The forthcoming adventure series, named Presto!, provides a modern twist on cherished fairy tales such as Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Gretel. Starting in Brixton, London, the series transports readers to far more magical realms!
When 11-year-old Amber sees the Big Bad Wolf suddenly appear in her living room, she discovers that not only are fairy tales real, but her uncle is a thief who retrieves stolen items and missing persons from the stories themselves. Moreover, there is a mysterious world called Evadne where wolves, witches, and other mythical creatures exist … and she’s about to be thrust right into it!
Commenting on this thrilling deal, Dione stated: “I’m very excited to be publishing my debut fiction series with Sweet Cherry Publishing. I hope readers enjoy the daring mixture of fairy tale magic, physics and high-tech coding! Opting for quirky, lively characters, I was keen to also have a certain level of diversity in my story, hopefully allowing us to resonate with audiences everywhere.”
The first instalment, titled Presto! Magical Recovery Co., will be available from 31st October, so readers don’t have long to wait to meet Amber, her fairy tale-hopping uncle, and their magical companions!