The Emma Press acquires debut poetry collection AARDVARK DAY by former Zoologist Victoria Gatehouse
The Emma Press is delighted to announce Aardvark Day, the debut poetry collection by Victoria Gatehouse, an eccentric exploration of fascinating plants and creatures.
“As a poet with a degree in zoology, this debut children’s collection brings together two of my greatest passions”
Aardvark Day is a charming collection of middle grade poetry centring around quirky animals, strange insects and intriguing plants. From sunny African savannahs to the delicious darkness of peaty bogs, Victoria Gatehouse takes young readers (8+) on an unforgettable journey as she explores our planet’s weird and wonderful flora and fauna.
As a zoology graduate and nature lover, Victoria shares her expertise and passion through poignant and funny poems on the fairy armadillo, unbelievable mushroom names and instructions on how to be a dragonfly.
Aardvark Day is also filled with interesting facts and figures and is to be fully illustrated by emerging artist Kate Lucy Foster.
The Emma Press have acquired worldwide rights directly from the author.
What they said
Victoria Gatehouse says: “I am thrilled that the Emma Press has chosen to publish Aardvark Day. I have long been an admirer of everything the press stands for, the incredible authors, illustrators, and beautifully produced books. As a poet with a degree in zoology, this debut children’s collection brings together two of my greatest passions. The Emma Press has truly supported my vision of creating a book which is both playful and educational, encouraging children to engage with the natural world in a thoughtful way.
Emma Dai’an Wright, Founding Editor and Publisher of The Emma Press says: “Vicky is such an exciting new voice in children’s poetry, and we’re delighted to be publishing her debut collection. The poems in Aardvark Day brilliantly speak to some of the universal feelings of childhood at the same time as encouraging engagement with the wonder of the natural world. It’s been a joy working with her on the collection, and I can’t wait to get it into the hands of readers.”
Aardvark Day will be published by The Emma Press in May 2026.
ISBN 9781915628572 | Paperback | £9.99
About the author:
Victoria Gatehouse is an award-winning poet and children’s writer, based in Yorkshire. She originally trained as a zoologist and loves to write about animals and nature. Vicky’s poems for children have appeared in Tyger Tyger, The Toy, Little Thoughts Press, Northern Gravy, and various Pan Macmillan anthologies. She was Highly Commended for the Caterpillar Prize, 2025. Victoria’s poetry for adults is widely published and she has won, or been placed in, many competitions, including the Ginkgo Prize for Ecopoetry, 2023. A pamphlet for adults, The Mechanics of Love, published by Smith | Doorstop, was selected as a ‘Laureate’s Choice’ by Carol Ann Duffy (2019) and her debut adult’s collection, The Hawthorn Bride, is published by Indigo Dreams (2024).
About The Emma Press:
The Emma Press is an award-winning independent publishing house specialising in poetry, short fiction, essays and children’s books. It was founded by Emma Dai’an Wright in 2012 and is now based in Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham, UK. We are dedicated to making literature and publishing as welcoming and accessible as possible. We want to provide opportunities for publication for writers and illustrators and create books which reflect as many people’s experiences as we can. In 2024 and 2025, the Emma Press was a Finalist for the British Book Awards Small Press of the Year [Midlands], and in 2024 shortlisted for the Independent Publishers Guild Awards in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award.
For further information or to request a review copy please contact:
Ella Foster, Publishing Trainee, The Emma Press
Image credit: Victoria Gatehouse
