...including one about grief

Cariad Lloyd has signed a deal to write five children's books.

Her first, The Christmas Wish-tastrophe, will be out next autumn and revolves around a girl, Lydia Marmalade, sent to live with an emotionally distant aristocrat following the death of her mother. 

The second, a picture book illustrated by Tom Percival and titled Where Did She Go?, will follow in February 2025 and will revolved around a girl coming to terms with her grandmother’s death.

Lloyd has hosted the hugely successful Griefcast podcast about dealing with loss for the past seven years.

The comedian – who is also part of part of the Austentatious improv troupe – said on social media: ‘I knew working at WHSmith's kids book section and doing no work but reading all the picture books would one day pay off. Apologies to my former manager. Congrats to my brain x’

And in an announcement about the deal, she added: ‘It has been an ambition of mine for many years to write books for children.

‘When I was little, I found a huge cardboard box and created my own reading den, that I would disappear into for hours. I hope to be able to create a magical world with Lydia Marmalade  for others to disappear into for a brief while. 

‘I am also so moved to get the chance to put all my grief knowledge into a picture book to help aid those all-important conversations about grief and death.’

Rachel Wade, from publisher Hachette, told trade website The Bookseller: ‘Meeting Cariad for the first time, we were blown away by her humour and by her passion for children's books. 

‘Add to that her mischievous improv understanding of the Austen era and the chaos of a magic wish gone wrong, and you have the fabulous The Christmas Wish-tastrophe. We look forward to building Cariad across genres and age groups, as a go-to voice in the children's book world.’ 

The synopsis for The Christmas Wish-tastrophe  reads: ‘One winter evening, Lydia arrives at Lady Partridge's mansion with nothing except her sausage dog, Colin. But Lady Partridge isn't at all keen to make Lydia part of the family - and now her mother's gone, Lydia doesn't have anywhere else to live. 

‘If Lydia doesn't behave herself until the end of the winter season, Lady Partridge will cast her off entirely. Helped (and often hindered) by a winter sprite, a snowstorm and a hungry Colin, Lydia makes a wish on the most magical night of the year.’

Meanwhile, Where Did She Go?  is described as ‘a warm and witty story about a little girl determined to find her grandmother because everyone keeps saying just how sorry they are she "lost" her. When her family realise the confusion, it's time for an open conversation to address the questions young children can have about death.’

Lloyd previously wrote You Are Not Alone, an adult book about grief drawn from her own experiences following the death of her father when she was 15, and from those of her guests on Griefcast. It was released in January and made the Sunday Times top ten bestseller list.

Katie Sassienie from Hachette added: ‘Cariad is a talented, versatile writer with a deep understanding of what makes a truly brilliant picture book, and we're hugely excited to be launching her in this area paired with powerhouse Tom Percival. 

‘Tom is unrivalled in his talent for tackling big issues with gentle humour and personality, and we were thrilled, though not surprised, that Cariad's vision for Where Did She Go? resonated with him.’

Published: 10 Nov 2023