All aboard as Paul McCartney sails into the sun with
GRANDUDE’S GREEN SUBMARINE, the sequel to his internationally bestselling picture book, HEY GRANDUDE!
Grandude’s Green Submarine will release globally on
September 2, 2021
Random House Children’s Books in the US and Penguin Random House Children’s UK are delighted to announce the forthcoming publication of GRANDUDE’S GREEN SUBMARINE, the picture book sequel to HEY GRANDUDE! written by one of the world’s most famous and best-loved grandfathers, Paul McCartney.
HEY GRANDUDE!, Paul McCartney’s first picture book, was published to global success in September 2019. The book was a #1 New York Times bestseller, selling 300,000 copies around the world, with translations in 32 languages and counting. It introduced a magical grandpa—the eponymous Grandude—who was inspired by a nickname Paul’s own eight grandchildren gave him.
GRANDUDE’S GREEN SUBMARINE continues the adventures of Grandude and his grandchildren as they set off on a quest to find their music-loving grandmother, Nandude! It’s an action-packed extravaganza of wild imagination and fun for the whole family, a read-aloud that’s perfect for sharing, destined to become a timeless classic.
World rights were acquired from MPL Communications in a joint acquisition by Puffin Picture Books Editorial Director Joe Marriott and Random House Books for Young Readers Editorial Director Heidi Kilgras. Like HEY GRANDUDE! the book will be illustrated by Kathryn Durst, who is represented by Arabella Stein at The Bright Agency.
Paul McCartney said: “I’m really happy with how HEY GRANDUDE! was received, as this was a very personal story for me, celebrating Grandudes everywhere and their relationships and adventures with their grandchildren. I love that it has become a book read to grandkids at bedtime all around the world. I always said if people liked the first book and there was an appetite for more, I would write some further adventures for Grandude—so he’s back and this time with his special invention, Grandude’s green submarine!”
Kathryn Durst, Illustrator, said: “I am so thrilled to be collaborating with Paul again on Grandude’s Green Submarine. I think this is the adventure book we all need during this time, when everyone is stuck at home and longing to travel to exciting new places. I really enjoyed drawing the newest character in the book, Nandude, particularly because we both share a love of playing the accordion!”
Barbara Marcus, Random House Children’s Books President, said: “It is an honor to have an icon like Paul McCartney on our list, and we are so pleased to be able to publish another Grandude adventure to share with young readers and his adult fans. Hey Grandude! was such a tremendous success, and we look forward to bringing another story that celebrates the special bond between grandparents and their grandchildren.”
GRANDUDE’S GREEN SUBMARINE is available for pre-order and will release on September 2, 2021. It will be published in hardcover under the Random House Books for Young Readers imprint in the US and the Puffin imprint in the UK.
For further information and publicity requests, please contact:
Noreen Herits
Executive Director, Publicity
Random House Children’s Books US
[email protected]
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About Paul McCartney
Since writing his first song at the age of 14, Paul McCartney’s career has been impossibly prolific and singularly influential. In the 1960s, Paul changed the world forever with The Beatles. He didn’t stop there, and has continued to push boundaries as a solo artist, with Wings, and collaborating with numerous world-renowned artists. He has received 18 Grammys, and in 1997 was knighted by H.M. The Queen for his services to music. His most recent album, McCartney III, was Number One in the UK Official Charts as well as Number One on the US Billboard Top Album Sales Chart upon release in December 2020.
Paul is a dedicated philanthropist, passionately advocating for many causes including animal rights and environmental issues. He’s also a very proud grandfather.
About Kathryn Durst
Kathryn Durst was born in Peterborough, Canada, and is a graduate of Sheridan College. With a background in animation, she has interned with Pixar Animation Studios in addition to working with various children’s book publishers.
When she is not illustrating books, she may be found playing the accordion, growing vegetables, folk dancing, or putting on shadow puppet shows. She lives in Canada with her grumpy mini dachshund named Chili Dog.
About Random House Children’s Books
Random House Children’s Books is the world’s largest English-language children’s trade book publisher. Creating books for toddlers through young adult readers, in all formats from board books to activity books to picture books, novels, and nonfiction, the imprints of Random House Children’s Books bring together award-winning authors and illustrators, world-famous franchise characters, and multimillion-copy series. The company’s website, rhcbooks.com, offers an array of activities, games, and resources for children, teens, parents, and educators. Random House Children’s Books is a division of Penguin Random House LLC.
About Puffin
Since publishing a series of nonfiction in 1940, Puffin has grown to become one of the most iconic children’s entertainment brands in the world. Publishing stories for children from ages 0 to 12, Puffin is home to famous authors, illustrators, and children’s brands including Roald Dahl, Jacqueline Wilson, Malorie Blackman, the Very Hungry Caterpillar, the Snowman, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid, to name but a few. Many of these stories live beyond the book and have inspired films, music, and games.
Puffin is always on the lookout for diverse new talent and is committed to giving children access to stories through innovative formats and partnerships, ensuring that the magic of imagination passes from one generation to the next.
Puffin is an imprint of Penguin Random House, the world’s number one publisher, representing a vibrant community of publishing houses marked by unparalleled success.
Dream big. Read Puffin.
For more information, please visit www.puffin.co.uk or follow us on: Twitter/Facebook: @PuffinBooks | Instagram: @puffinbooksuk
