Orlando Weeks, a former member of The Maccabees, has written and illustrated a new children’s book about a gritterman for Penguin Press.
The book depicts a “beautifully illustrated story” about a “seasonal hero and the work he loves” and will be published by Particular Books, on 7th September, priced at £17.99. An album will be accompanying the book, featuring comedian, Paul Whitehouse’s narration as The Gritterman. His narration of the text is followed by music and songs written by Weeks “with nods to Randy Newman, Harry Nilsson and Bill Fay” and produced by Grammy-winning producer Markus Dravs (Björk, Arcade Fire, Florence & The Machine) and pianist David O’Dowda.
Helen Conford, publishing director at Penguin Press acquired world English rights for Particular Books, from Annabel Merullo at PFD.
The Gritterman tells the story of a man saying goodbye to a job he loves, combining “original storytelling, illustration and music”. Using his ice-cream van in the summer despite having “no passion for ice cream”, “he comes into his own” during winter when he becomes a gritterman, this is until the council reveals his services are no longer required.