Kindle Entertainment (a Banijay Kids & Family company), has secured the adaptation rights to the popular children’s book series Adventures on Trains. Created by bestselling and award-winning authors M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman, and published by Macmillan Children’s Books, Kindle Entertainment will transform the beloved books into a family film franchise. The deal was brokered by Morgan Green Creatives.
The adventure-series follows young protagonist, Harrison, and his Uncle Nat, on adrenaline-fuelled, globetrotting train adventures. From kidnapping to curses and theft, each book offers a new mystery to solve. The first of the six-book series, The Highland Falcon Thief, was published in Jan 2020, and won multiple awards including Children’s Fiction Book of the Year in the British Book Awards. The series has now sold nearly 210,000 copies through TCM in the UK alone and has sold in twenty one languages since launch.
Melanie Stokes, MD, Kindle Entertainment says: “Adventure on Trains are classic whodunnits but with a totally contemporary twist - where a kid from the wrong side of the tracks cracks the crime on a royal steam train. It’s a best of British underdog story, ripe for a riotous adaptation.”
Emma Stuart, Creative Director, Kindle Entertainment adds: “When I came across this series of best-selling, critically acclaimed books, I was excited by the rare combination of a kid surrounded by fantastic adult characters. We want to create a laugh-out-loud, high-stakes entertaining treat for all the family.”
Maya Leonard and Sam Sedgman, authors of Adventures on Trains say: “We are stoked that Kindle Entertainment will be reimagining Adventures on Trains for the big screen. Their vision for the screen adaptation of The Highland Falcon Thief is sure to please readers and fans of the series. The talent, passion, and ability in the team they are putting together is beyond exciting.”
Kindle Entertainment produces premium drama for young adults, families and four-quad audiences worldwide. Its Netflix series, Ivy + Bean, which was adapted from Annie Barrows’ New York Times bestselling books, is up for two Children’s and Family Emmy® Awards this December.
Led by Benoît Di Sabatino, Banijay Kids & Family is part of media and entertainment powerhouse Banijay.
Children's book series Adventure on Trains to be adapted by Banijay
