HarperCollins Children’s Books UK has inked a two-book deal to publish two new titles in the Octonauts original picture book range from creative duo Meomi (Vicki Wong and Michael Murphy).

The deal sees HarperCollins secure the worldwide rights in the original – incorporating book, audio and electronic formats.

The first title is planned for a fall 2012 release and will follow the underwater adventures of the Octonauts through the oceans of the world. The second title will feature a new deep-sea adventure in the form of a picture book.

Vancouver, Canada-based Wong and Murphy have had their characters, art and animation appear on books, clothing, toys and magazines worldwide. Their first four picture books, published by HarperCollins UK, inspired the internationally broadcast, Chorion-produced animated preschool television series Octonauts.

The series initially launched on CBeebies in October 2010 and is now produced by Silvergate Media with animation by Ireland’s Brown Bag Films. It made its US TV debut on January 9 on Disney Junior.

Octonauts picture books have sold nearly 200,000 copies in the UK in 2011.