DK Children’s has announced a 10-book, multi-format deal with BAFTA winning actress and advocate Rose Ayling-Ellis.
DK Children’s publisher Francesca Young acquired global rights for two middle grade non-fiction titles, four picture books and four board books, from Crystal Mahey-Morgan and Jason Morgan at OWN IT!
The first title in what DK tipped the “epic deal” will be Rose Knows: The Amazing Story of Communication, a colour non-fiction title due in hardback in April 2025, with illustrations by Lena Addink. “Readers will join Rose, her cool cat Halo and their magical pigeon tour guide on the ultimate time-travelling, globetrotting adventure to explore the story of communication as never before”, DK said.
The first two board books, Rose Says Good Morning and Rose Says Good Night, are scheduled for June 2025 with a second tranche of titles scheduled for August 2025. The picture book publishing begins April 2026 with titles coming at five-month intervals thereafter. A second colour, non-fiction title focusing on performance is scheduled for January 2026.
Young said: “Rose is a creative powerhouse whom we are thrilled to bring to the DK list. When we first met I was blown away by her creativity and brilliance – it was immediately clear that we needed to take readers on a journey with Rose from their very first board books right through to the classic non-fiction that DK is world renowned for.
“Rose is bilingual, speaking both English and BSL, so her Rose Knows: The Amazing Story of Communication was the obvious place to start her publishing journey.”
Ayling-Ellis added: “Creating a children’s book has been a lifelong dream for me. My board books aim to introduce young readers to British Sign Language (BSL) in the UK and American Sign Language (ASL) in the US. I have also collaborated with DK to develop picture books that provide a more in-depth understanding of deafness in a fun and humorous way.
“Additionally, I plan to create classic non-fiction titles for older and more confident readers, focusing on topics such as history, language and art. Communication is my biggest passion and I am excited for this to be my first book. I truly enjoy creating these books and hope readers of all ages will find joy in them.”
Ayling-Ellis became the first deaf contestant to win “Strictly Come Dancing” in 2021 and first became known for her long-running role in “Eastenders”.
The BAFTA-winning actress made her stage debut in Josie Rourke’s adaptation of “As You Like It” for which she received The Stage Debut Award for Best West End Debut, and nominations for an Olivier Award and Ian Charleson Award. Her documentary “Signs for Change”, was nominated for a BAFTA Craft Award.
She is currently filming BBC thriller “Reunion” and, following this, she will start work on Mammoth Screen’s “Code of Silence” for ITV. In recognition for her services to the deaf community the actress was awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours.
