A project that Kate McKinnon has been dedicated to since before her ascent to on-screen stardom is finally materializing.
The actor, writer, comedian, and Saturday Night Live alum — most notably recognized for her portrayal of Weird Barbie in Barbie — is set to release her debut book: “The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science,” drawing inspiration from her own upbringing.
The inaugural installment in a new series tailored for readers aged 8-12, McKinnon’s book is slated for release by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (LBYR), a division of Hachette Book Group, on October 1.
Penned in McKinnon’s trademark comedic flair familiar to her on-screen repertoire, the narrative introduces Gertrude, Eugenia, and Dee-Dee Porch, outsiders in the elitist enclave of Antiquarium. Richly adorned with illustrations, predominantly showcasing character sketches, inventions, and schematics crafted by McKinnon, and meticulously refined by illustrator Alfredo Cáceres in his distinct gothic aesthetic. She said,
“I wanted to write the kind of book that I would have loved reading when I was younger when I was eating honeysuckle on the playground and collecting bugs and falling in love with the natural world.”
“I hope young people read about the adventures of the Porch Sisters and are inspired to get out there and have their own adventures.”
In the confines of the Antiquarium, girls are mandated to attend etiquette school, while all canine companions must adhere to the breed standard of bichon frisés.
Residing with their rigid Aunt Desdemona, their materialistic Uncle Ansel, and their seven disdainful cousins, all christened Lavinia, are the Porch sisters. Following their expulsion from etiquette school due to defiance, the sisters are thrust into the eccentric guidance of the notorious Millicent Quibb — a maverick scientist adorned with worms in her hair and oysters in her bathtub.
Located at 231 Mysterium Way, the pizza boasts a lethal touch, the local transportation relies on gerbil power, and the dean of students takes the form of a hermit crab. Entrusted with the mission to rescue their town from the clutches of a malevolent consortium of mad scientists, the sisters confront the challenge of embracing their unique quirks and discerning where their allegiances lie.
“Kate McKinnon has brought all the intelligence, energy, and go-for-broke comedic genius she has on stage to the pages of this book,” says LBYR President and Publisher Megan Tingley. “Her essential message that being weird is exactly what makes you wonderful will inspire and empower young readers everywhere.”
For the author, this book and its wonderfully peculiar characters represent a culmination of long-awaited fruition. She added,
“I started playing with the idea of these characters and this world over a decade ago and am so thrilled to finally bring them to an audience, especially with a team as wonderful as the one at LBYR.”
LBYR Executive Editor Erika Turner secured North American rights from Ted Malawer at Upstart Crow Literary and will oversee the editing process. Scheduled for release by LBYR on October 1, 2024, the book promises an exciting journey into the whimsical world of Antiquarium.
