Faber Signs First Children's Book from Max Porter
By Faber Editor, 31 March 2025
Faber is thrilled to have acquired the first children’s book from award-winning author Max Porter in a major three-book deal. Publisher Leah Thaxton acquired World Rights from Lisa Baker at Aitken Alexander Associates. Dogs and Bears will be published in August 2026.
Exquisitely illustrated by Dorothée de Monfreid, Dogs and Bears is a visual feast – a funny and sublimely ridiculous fable about playground squabbling and peace.
The dogs and the bears have been brawling for a while. No one knows quite how it started, but today is the day of the third deciding brawl. The stage is set. But – halfway through – the world is interrupted by an unexpected airborne event, which will change the relationship of the dogs and bears forever . . .
Leah Thaxton, Publisher said:
‘Dogs and Bears brings together two exceptional talents. The story frames a question that is as old as time, and asks: Why do we fight? With humour, heart and hundreds of raining squid, Max Porter tackles the issue in his own indomitable way. The book is every bit as sensational, funny and daring as you would imagine, not to mention relevant. It is also gloriously good fun and wholly redefines the medium. I see it as a future classic, and applaud this extraordinary and momentous publishing event.’
Max Porter said:
‘As someone who considers illustrated story books for children the pinnacle of our civilisation, I’m truly honoured to have collaborated with such an extraordinary illustrator and publishing team on my first one. Despite being for children, this is a book I have poured all my grown-up feelings into. It’s about war and peace, (but it’s shorter than War and Peace) and it has fantastic pictures. I’ve read it to humans and dogs of all ages and it went down very well. I’m excited to see how the bears will react.’
Dorothée de Monfried said:
‘When I was approached by Faber and asked to illustrate Dogs and Bears, I said yes on the spot. Good stories are few and far between, and this one is outstanding. Max Porter manages to be clear, funny, deep and original all at the same time, while also keeping a sense of the absurd. I have really enjoyed adding my drawings to this powerful and thought-provoking text, giving life to these dogs and bears and their non-stop fighting!’
Max Porter is the author of four novels, including the Sunday Times #1 bestseller Shy, the Booker Prize longlisted Lanny, and the multi-award winning Grief is the Thing with Feathers. His work has been translated into 33 languages. The screen adaptation of Grief is the Thing with Feathers, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, premiered at Sundance and Berlinale in 2025, and Porter’s own screen adaptation of Shy, starring Cillian Murphy, will be released by Netflix in 2025.
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Dorothée de Monfreid lives and works in Paris. She is an author and illustrator; her books reveal a territory between albums and comic books. Her work is rigorous and whimsical, precise and burlesque all at once. She started publishing comic books for grown-ups in 2019: Ada & Rosie (Casterman, 2019), Les choses de l’amour (Misma, 2020), Carnets de Campagne (Dargaud + Seuil, 2022), Formidable (Casterman, 2024), and Rendez-vous à l’Opéra (Dargaud, 2025). She remains keen on working with ink and paper, and her drawings are regularly exhibited in festivals and various places dedicated to comic book culture.
