The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News
Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter
See My Options Sign Upsite categories
The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News
Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter
See My Options Sign UpUniversal Options Children’s Book ‘The Terrible Two’ (Exclusive)
Mac Barnett and Jory John wrote the book and will adapt the screenplay.
- Share this article on Facebook
- Share this article on Twitter
- Share this article on Flipboard
- Share this article on Email
- Show additional share options
- Share this article on Linkedin
- Share this article on Pinit
- Share this article on Reddit
- Share this article on Tumblr
- Share this article on Whatsapp
- Share this article on Print
- Share this article on Comment
- Share this article on Facebook
- Share this article on Twitter
- Share this article on Flipboard
- Share this article on Email
- Show additional share options
- Share this article on Linkedin
- Share this article on Pinit
- Share this article on Reddit
- Share this article on Tumblr
- Share this article on Whatsapp
- Share this article on Print
- Share this article on Comment
Universal has optioned the recently released book The Terrible Two, by Mac Barnett and Jory John with illustrations by Kevin Cornell.
Barnett and John will adapt the screenplay for the film, which centers on a middle-school kid named Miles Murphy, who is the best prankster his school has ever seen. When he’s forced to move to the sleepy town of Yawnee Valley, he expects to become the best prankster at his new school as well, but he discovers he’s got some stiff competition.
The book The Terrible Two hit shelves on Jan. 13, and debuted on the New York Times children’s middle grade best-seller list in its first week on sale. There are more than 200,000 copies in print.
The book is the first in a planned four-book series, with the second book scheduled for early 2016. The Terrible Two was acquired by Amulet Books, an imprint of ABRAMS, for seven figures in a seven-publisher auction, and rights have been sold in 26 languages.
Both Barnett and John are experienced children’s book authors, and have been friends since they met in their early 20s while working at 826, a nonprofit tutoring center founded by Dave Eggers. Barnett’s previous children’s books include Extra Yarn and Sam and Dave Dig a Hole while John is the co-author of the humor book All My Friends Are Dead.
Kristin Lowe and Elizabeth Haggard will oversee The Terrible Two for Universal.
THR Newsletters
Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day
More from The Hollywood Reporter
Shopping With THR
The 20+ Best Women’s Subscription Boxes That Also Make Great Mother’s Day Gifts
THR Newsletters
Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day
Most Popular
Must Reads
The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News
Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter
THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER is a registered trademark of The Hollywood Reporter, LLC.