Children’s book Terrible Two has been optioned by Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures has optioned the recently released book The Terrible Two, by Mac Barnett with illustrations by Kevin Cornell.

The book follows Miles Murphy, a middle-school kid who is the best prankster his school has ever seen. So, when he is forced to moved to Yawnee Valley he is not happy as he quickly discovers the town already has a prankster. Murphy must dethrone this mystery kid and reassume his title as the greatest but to do so he must raise his game.

In this battle of wind-ups only one can win. So after a period of fight the two decide to join forces and pull of the biggest prank the world have ever seen.

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.

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 humour book All My Friends Are Dead.

The two will adapt the book for the big screen. Kristin Lowe and Elizabeth Haggard will oversee The Terrible Two for Universal.