Cariad Lloyd has signed a five-book deal with Hachette Publishing.

Rachel Wade, editorial director, Fiction, and Katie Sassienie, senior commissioning editor, Picture Books, acquired world rights, starting with a Chirstmas book. The Christmas Wish-tastrophe will be published in autumn 2024 with Where Did She Go?, a picture book illustrated by Tom Percival, due to launch in 2025.

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."

Where Did She Go? is 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 is a stand-up comedian, improviser, actor and the podcaster behind hit podcast Griefcast in which guests talk about bereavement. She said: "I am so excited to be writing these books and to be working with the brilliant team at Hachette Children’s Group. 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."

Pre-order here.

More here.