How we work
What we do
Meet the team
Enquiry
Submissions
Artists
Agents
Collections
Submissions
Artists
Agents
Collections
Submissions
Authors
Artists
Agents
Collections
Submissions
Animators
Agents
Collections
Submissions
Artists
Agents
Collections
Submissions
Authors
Agents
Submissions
Blog
Bright at 21: A look back on 2024
last updated 16 December 2024
Wow, what a year it has been, and 2024 has felt especially momentous as it marked 21 years of Bright and 21 years.
Not only did our artists win the Henries, the Lollies and the Irish Book Awards (all in the last month) but we close the year standing proud behind the beautiful film adaptation of Carys Bexington’s The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland (available to stream now), made by Lupus in collaboration with Sky Cinema and Universal, and Supertato being commissioned for a second series with the BBC.
We are wishing you all a wonderful 2025, thank you for everyone that made 2024 one of the best years in the Bright Agency’s history. 2025 we are ready for you!
Take a look at the highlights from our year below:
On The Shelves 2024
This past year, we’ve been thrilled to see an abundance of incredible, insightful, and beautifully crafted children’s literature. Our talented artists continue to amaze us, and we’re delighted to share just a few of the brilliant books that have graced our shelves this year!
Take a look.
Carys Bexington’s The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland film adaptations releases
Looking for the perfect thing to watch with the family this festive period? Look no further.
The hit musical film is based on the original, fantastic story written by Bright’s own Carys Bexington, illustrated by the incredible Kate Hindley and published by Macmillan Kids.
This film was made by the incredibly talented team Lupus Films, featuring the genius of Guy Chambers who wrote the music, in collaboration with Universal Pictures, distributed by Sky. Starring the immense talents of Gerard Butler as St. Nick, Emilia Clarke as the Queen of Hearts and Simone Ashley as Alice, this amazing musical film is out now.
Watch the film here.
The Book also went on a book tour, with Author Carys Bexington delighting school pupils with a reading and a creative workshop to get everyone excited about the films release.
Alex Willmore wins big at the Lollies 2024
The tremendous Alex Willmore, who is beloved for his witty; hilarious Children’s Books has taken home the Lollies 2024 award in the Best Laugh Out Loud Picture Book category for I DID see a Mammoth, published by Farshore.
I DID see a Mammoth is a hilariously funny picture book brings the prehistoric woolly mammoth dancing, swimming and SKATEBOARDING back to life. But will anyone believe it? Would YOU?!
Launching our new Licensing Site
Announcing the launch of our new-look art licensing website which features our biggest update yet, including curated core artwork collections, navigational ease and a seamless approach to art and brand licensing.
Our portfolio of award-winning and best-selling illustrators speaks for itself - go take a look.
“We’ve curated artwork based on theme and context now showing in our collections tab, to showcase our artists incredible work in the strongest possible way.” Says CEO and Creative Founder Vicki Willden-Lebrecht “and with our licensing team of Laura Hemsley and Ilaria Vigilante, Bright Licensing has never looked stronger.”
Find out more here.
Sarah Long’s winning night at The Henries
On October 3rd 2024, Sarah Long won the ‘Best Diversity and Inclusion’ category with her range ‘You Go Girl’ from Paper Rose Cards at The Henries 2024 - the flagship greeting card award show.
Find out more here.
Bright’s 21st Birthday Picnic
Over the past two decades, The Bright Agency has evolved from a small team with a big vision to a leading force in the literary industry, known for our commitment to nurturing the voices of authors & illustrators, pushing the boundaries of storytelling, and creating long-lasting relationships with our clients.
We had the best time celebrating 21 years of Bright this weekend with members of our staff, clients, artists & their families. It was a great opportunity to reflect on the agency as a whole, and many stories and memories were shared over delicious food, drink, and of course a game or two of rounders.
See more here.
Bright at Bologna Children’s Book Fair
Bologna Children’s Book Fair, as ever, was full of energy and inspiration, and it was the perfect platform for showcasing the incredible talent we represent. Creative Director Vicki, Global MD James and BCI Agent Amy Capelin were at the fair itself, showing off the latest portfolios across all the days.
Vicki and James’s memories of Bologna
Frankfurt Book Fair, including Frankfurt in London and Frankfurt in Jersey City
To compliment our trip to Frankfurt Book Fair, we hosted our annual Frankfurt in London and Frankfurt in Jersey City events to show off our latest portfolios to our clients. Take a look at the video below to find our more.
Bright at PG Live
PG Live, as ever, was full of energy and inspiration, and it was the perfect platform for showcasing the incredible talent we represent. Myself - Bright’s Creative Director - alongside Global MD James, Account Manager Ilaria Vigilante and Agent Laura Hemsley were at the fair itself, showing off the latest portfolios across both days.
We want to offer a massive thank you to both Jakki Brown and Warren Lomax, as well as the rest of the PG team, who once again knocked it out of the park with this years event.
Bright at London Book Fair
This year’s fair was full of energy and inspiration, and it was the perfect platform for showcasing the incredible talent we represent.
Showcasing brand-new portfolios on behalf of our outstanding artists with our amazing clients, we’ve paved the way for another barnstorming year for our artists.
Alligator’s Mouth Award 2024
Here at Bright, we have the absolute delight of supporting our dear friends Tony West and Margaret Wallace-Jones, co-owners of The Alligator’s Mouth Bookshop, in our Children’s book award for early illustrated fiction: The Alligator’s Mouth Award.
On the 27th June, we celebrated these incredible books with the shortlisted teams, friends and families of the award. Margaret commented: “It’s wonderful to be able to celebrate these books which we love so much. Every year I think what a fantastic shortlist, but this year it has been particularly delightful and given us so much joy. It’s such a beautiful range of books.”
This year’s winner was Adventuremice: Otter Chaos by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre, published by David Fickling Books. The trophy was presented by the winner of the 2023 award, author-illustrator Elys Dolan, who also served as a judge for the 2024 award.
The River Thief Book Launch
Gorgeous illustrations and wonderful stories are synonymous with Hannah Peck, who is celebrating the release of her debut novel The River Thief, which was given 4 stars by the Telegraph
The River Thief, published by Piccadilly Press, tells the story of Adderley and Ef who resolve to recover a special stone that she says has been stolen from her people and return it to its true home. However, the river waters are not always on their side and the journey is filled with danger.
The book celebrated its release with a book launch at Daunt Books; Holland Park on the 23rd of October.
In Loving Memory of Dave Shephard
We are deeply saddened to share the news that the amazing Dave Shephard, a wonderful and talented artist who we proudly represented for over 13 years, has passed away.
Dave will be remembered for his incredible illustrative talents, his kind and caring personality, and second-to-none humour.
Allow us to share with you just some of the many projects Dave worked on in his career.
Our love and thoughts are with his family.
In Loving Memory of Mechal Roe
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that the amazing Mechal Roe has passed away. An incredibly talented illustrator and author, who we proudly represented, was known for her charming illustrations that adorned and stood strong on the pages of the Children’s Books she helped bring to the world, including the truly wondrous Happy Hair, that she wrote.
With an open heart and an impassioned interest in changing the world for the better, the projects that Mechal worked on were all about empowering children - to be proud of who they are and to strive for kindness and love.
Mechal will be remembered for her warm and inviting personality as well as her interests and passions that made her the artist she became.