Lost My Name, a U.K-based publishing venture that creates customized children's books, is partnering with the Roald Dahl Literary Estate to create a new personalized book based on Dahl’s stories and characters.
The book will be written by David Cadji-Newby, a cofounder of Lost My Name. Illustrations will be done by Adam Hancher. The book will go on sale on Roald Dahl Day (an annual celebration of the work of the English children's book author timed to his birthday), which is September 13. Lost My Name will start taking pre-orders for the book in June.
This is the first time Lost My Name has collaborated with the work and characters of an established author. Dahl, who died in 1990, is considered one of the world’s great children’s storytellers; his work has been translated into 58 languages and his books have sold more than 250 million copies.
LMN spokesperson Nic Wilkinson said she could not share the forthcoming book's plot, and that it does not yet have a set title, or cover image. “The story is still under wraps as we work on several concepts,” she said. She did note, however, that the book will be based on “one of [Dahl’s] biggest stories" and the LMN will turn it into "a personalized experience.”
Launched in 2013, Lost My Name has used technology to revolutionize the business of customized books for children. The company sought to lift the artistic level of customized books, as well as their degree of personalization. LMN allows consumers to create a book customized around a child’s name, and to bring in a variety of illustrations and artwork.
All LMN titles are sold exclusively through its website—there is no general bookstore distribution.
The company’s first book, The Little Boy/Girl That Lost His/Her Name, has sold more than 826,000 copies in the U.S., and over 2.6 million copies globally. LMN now offers three personalized titles for sale, along with two personalized card games.
Luke Kelly, managing director at the Roald Dahl Literary Estate, said: “We are always seeking innovation in our publishing, and this great partnership allows us to deliver on that hope.”
Correction: The LMN spokesperson's name was misspelled in an earlier version of this story.