10 year old UK-based doodle artist, Joe Whale, is to illustrate a chapter book series for kids following deal.
Scholastic has inked a book deal with Striker Entertainment and UK-based doodle artist, Joe Whale.
Striker Entertainment has granted Scholastic the rights to design and produce a wide range of English language formats for ‘The Doodle Boy’ including chapter books, storybooks, sticker story books, novelty, activity books, ebooks and audio books.
The first chapter book is due to publish in autumn 2021.
Aimed at 6-8 year olds, each title will explore themes of imagination and creativity. For example, book one takes place deep within the walk-in pantry at Belching Walrus Elementary, where fruits, veggies, cookies, chicken fingers, and other lunchroom staples live in harmony.
Joe went viral in 2019 after he was commissioned by a local restaurant to decorate an eight-foot wall with his signature black and white drawings.
Since then, he has been interviewed by Insider and appeared on Ellen DeGeneres’ TV show Little Big Shots, hosted by Melissa McCarthy, where he designed the set backdrop and created custom name illustrations for all of the kid guests. Joe has been commissioned by restaurants and businesses including The White Elephant Hotel in Palm Beach to fill their walls with his lively doodles.
“From the moment we were introduced to Joe and his talent, we knew there was something uniquely special about this young man and burgeoning young artist,” said Russell Binder, partner at Striker Entertainment. “From day one he’s communicated that his wish was to do a book, make an animated series, and make clothing all featuring his art and characters.
“We have been able to successfully check two of those boxes, one with the most prestigious children’s publisher no less, and are close on the third.”
Debra Dorfman, vp and publisher, global licensing, brands and media at Scholastic, added: “We are so excited to team up with Joe to create a fun and imaginative chapter book series about food monsters. Joe’s doodles are crazy fun and we can’t wait to create a line with activity books and interactive journals that we know kids will love.”
Scholastic author Eric Luper has been hired to write the chapter book series with Joe.
Joe added: “I’m really, really excited to be working with Scholastic. It will be amazing to see my books on the shelves. My top thing to do was my own book and it’s actually real! Can’t wait to get going, it is going to be an amazing experience working alongside Eric. It will be super fun and my doodles think so, too.”
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