Penguin Random House has acquired the next two coloring books from Johanna Basford, the illustrator behind the bestsellers The Secret Garden and Enchanted Forest books, which kickstarted a bonafide publishing phenomenon. The first book, The Lost Ocean: An Underwater Adventure & Coloring Book, goes on sale October 27.
Penguin Publishing Group president Madeline McIntosh coordinated the acquisition with Ed Victor of Ed Victor Ltd. for world rights, in a co-publishing deal with Jake Lingwood at Ebury Publishing, a division of Penguin Random House in the U.K. Meg Leder, executive editor at Penguin Books, will be the editor in the U.S.
Since its release in spring 2013, Secret Garden has sold more than 1.4 million copies, according the The New York Times, and has been published in 28 foreign editions.
In the new book, per PRH, Basford will invite "color-inners of all ages to discover an enchanting underwater world hidden in the depths of the sea," with illustrations of "exotic fish, curious octopi, and delicately penned seahorses."
“To say we’re honored to bring Johanna to the Penguin Books list is an understatement,” said Leder. “Her singular vision has brought new life to the coloring book world, and we’re delighted to collaborate with her, providing both fans and new ‘color-inners’ with even more gorgeous and intricate books.”
