A&U acquires accessible picture book
Allen & Unwin (A&U) has acquired world rights to All the Ways I See, by Nas Campanella and Eliza Hull, in a deal brokered by Pippa Masson at Curtis Brown. Sophie Beer has been brought on as the illustrator in a deal brokered by Annabel Barker.
According to the publisher, the picture book offers “a lyrical story about experiencing summer at the beach from a blind child’s perspective”.
Campanella is the national disability affairs reporter for ABC News. She has worked as a reporter and presenter for more than 10 years, including time working on Triple J.
Hull is a writer, journalist and disability advocate. She is the co-author of Come Over To My House (with Sally Rippin and illus by Daniel Gray-Barnett, HGCP).
Illustrator Beer has worked with Disney, Google, the Guardian and the Boston Globe. As a writer, her work has appeared in Frankie Magazine and The Big Issue. Beer’s latest novel is Thunderhead (A&U Children’s).
Campanella said, “Growing up in Australia with multiple disabilities, I rarely saw my experience reflected in the stories I read. Then, when I became a parent, I wanted to read books to my son where he could learn that his mum wasn’t alone in how she navigated the world.
“All the Ways I See is the book I’ve been waiting for my whole life; a story that busts myths, pushes stereotypes and represents the disabled experience in all of its sensorial glory. Accessibility was a priority, because everyone, no matter their disability, deserves the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of storytelling.
“We also hope the book will be a conversation starter for those families whose lives are not touched by disability, so they can share what they learn with others.”
Hull said, “Growing up with a disability, I don’t remember ever seeing a book with a character like me. That’s why this book matters so much: to represent children with disability, and to show all children and families that disability is a natural and everyday part of our lives.”
Associate publisher Samantha Forge said, “Nas and Eliza have written a beautiful and compelling text that children will love, and we are over the moon to have the wonderful Sophie Beer on board to illustrate. We also have a host of accessible features planned to make sure this book can reach the widest possible audience and hopefully serve as a prototype for more accessible publishing in the future.”
A&U plans to publish All the Ways I See in October 2026.
Category: Local news Rights and acquisitions
