Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell are two of the most successful collaborators in children’s publishing, and have worked together on a number of bestselling titles.

Once called “a natural successor to Tolkien,” Paul Stewart is a well-established author of books for young readers, and writes everything from picture books to football stories, to fantasy and horror. Chris Riddell is an accomplished graphic artist as well as the acclaimed political cartoonist for the Guardian and the Observer (UK), whose work has garnered many accolades. Paul and Chris are unusual as a writer-and-illustrator team because they create the stories together, then Paul does the writing and Chris starts on the illustrations.

Together, they are the author and illustrator of a bestselling children’s fantasy series, touted by the Guardian (UK) as “stunningly original.” The series, for children ages 10 and up, is called The Edge Chronicles, and begins with the story of Twig, who is abandoned at birth in the perilous DeepWoods, and brought up by a family of wood trolls. One night, Twig does what no woodtroll has ever done before—he strays from the path. Filled with memorable and inventive characters, Twig’s quest to discover his destiny and find his true identity takes him on a heart-stopping adventure through a nightmare world of goblins and trogs, bloodthirsty beasts and flesh-eating trees.

Rights to the series have been sold in 22 countries, with a 23rd currently under negotiation. The U.S. is one of the latest countries to acquire rights, and launched the series in July. Upon publication in the U.S., the first book in the series leapt onto the New York Times bestseller list. There are currently ten books slated for the series, with book seven (called Freeglader) on sale now.

Jigsaw Films has acquired the film rights to the series. Sarah Radclyffe, producer and co-founder of Jigsaw Films, said “Jigsaw Films is thrilled to have acquired such an exciting series of books. The world of ‘The Edge’ is amongst the most original I have encountered, suffused as it is with such wonderfully rich characters and stories.” She called it “one of the most cinematic series of books since Lord of the Rings.” If you know a child who loves excitement, adventure and is looking for something a little different, invite them to come over to the ‘Edge’.