The Bookseller – Rights – Hachette Children’s Group scoops two AI-focused books

Hachette Children’s Group has acquired two AI-focused non-fiction books by Brian David Johnson and Neal Layton.

Wren & Rook publishing director Laura Horsley acquired world rights to Johnson’s What You Need To Know About AI from Lisa Gallagher of DeFiore and Company. Meanwhile, Liza Wilde, editorial director of colour non-fiction, acquired world rights to What is AI? The Curious Kid’s Guide to Artificial Intelligence, a non-fiction picture book written and illustrated by Layton, from Alison Eldred.

What You Need To Know About AI: A Beginner’s Guide To What Our Future Holds by Johnson will publish in March 2024. The book is described as a “beginner’s guide that will tell you everything you need to know about AI, from how it helps us to discover epic stuff about space, dinosaurs and the human body, to what the future holds – and whether it will be really able to tidy your bedroom”. The book “also includes content that help us understand the negatives surrounding AI and why AI and our thinking about it must be handled with care”.  

Horsley said: “We’re delighted to have someone of professor Brian David Johnson’s calibre writing about this vital topic: he’s worked with governments, trade organisations, start-ups and multinational organisations, and is a regular commentator on news outlets such as the BBC. Today’s children will be writing the future when it comes to AI, and What You Need To Know About AI will inspire, educate and entertain.”

Meanwhile, Layton’s book, which will be published in July 2024, was created in consultation with Jonny Brooks-Bartlett, senior machine learning engineer at Spotify. The book is described as an “easy-to-understand picture book exploring AI with young readers”. 

Wilde said: “Neal Layton is the master of distilling complex information into entertaining and easy-to-follow books for young readers: his A Planet Full of Plastic has now sold more than 50,000 copies and been translated into 13 languages. AI is the hottest topic around and it is fascinating kids as much as adults – this book couldn’t be more timely.”