Scholastic buys Jeanette Winterson book
18.12.08 Victoria Gallaghe writing in The Bookseller

Scholastic has acquired a Christmas story by Jeanette Winterson, The Lion, The Unicorn and Me: The Donkey's Christmas Story. Katherine Halligan, editorial director of picture books, bought world rights to the title from Jeanette Winterson herself, and Scholastic plan to publish the book in October 2009.

Elaine McQuade, managing director of Scholastic Children's Books, said that she "simply fell in love with" the book after it appeared in the Times in December 2007. "It is a really special story," she said, "it will delight families for years to come".

The story will be illustrated by newcomer Rosie MacCurrach, who has never before illustrated a picture book.

The tale is a new version of the story of the first Christmas, where a selection of animals set off for Bethlehem.

Winterson wrote a children's book, The King of Capri, for Bloomsbury, published in 2004.