Tag Archives: Children’s Books

The Met Museum to launch new kids’ books series with global publisher DK

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The global publishing house, DK, has landed a strategic commercial partnership with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, to launch a range of children’s books that each take inspiration from art, history, and culture, to draw readers into the world curated by the museum.

Under the new deal, DK will commission original text and illustration, which will be informed with commentary by The Met’s unparalleled staff, works from the Museum collection, and archival assets to illustrate and explore 5,000 years of art.

The books will be available in bookstores across the world, including The Met Store.  

Mark Searle, DK’s publishing director, licensing, said: “The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a historic cultural institution and we are very proud to be their partner for this new range of books.

“We are excited to be part of The Met’s mission to make art more accessible, and it is an honour to share this content with readers in every continent.”  

Lisa Silverman Meyers, global head of licensing for The Metropolitan Museum of Art, added: “We are  absolutely thrilled to be collaborating with DK on this partnership. DK has a long tradition of  delivering content to children and families in the most engaging and interesting ways, and we are so pleased to be working with them to help us deliver our mission of access and education.

“As The Met  celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, we look forward to creating books where all children can  see themselves in these stories and activities.”  

DK will act as The Met’s strategic partner for children’s commercial publishing, worldwide and in all  languages, beginning with six children’s titles planned to publish next year. The list will include books  on art, history and culture.  

The RHS and Scholastic to launch their first children’s activity books in February 2021

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The Royal Horticultural Society has detailed the first titles in a new range of illustrated activity books for children in partnership with its publishing licensee Scholastic, the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books.

Aimed at children aged six to ten, the first titles in the series are scheduled to launch in February 2021. My Dinosaur Garden and My Unicorn Garden will look to inspire children to explore gardens and the outdoors with crafts, activities, gardening tips and nature facts.

The initial launch will be followed in March with the Outdoor Adventure Handbook, an activity book that will look at discovering plants, wildlife and getting closer to nature with activities for all weathers.

In May, to complement the new range, My Unicorn Garden Cards and Notelets will be launched. This is a creative make-and-do set with stickers that children can use to create unique messages to share with friends and family. Further books will follow in autumn 2021 and beyond.

The books will be available from bookshops, RHS shops, garden centres, through major online retailers and at shop.rhs.org.uk. Their publication will be marked with a collaborative marketing campaign to reach the extensive family and school audiences of both Scholastic and the RHS.

These are the first RHS-licensed publications from Scholastic following the announcement of a major RHS partnership with the respected children’s book publisher in August 2019. The partnership encompasses a wide range of children’s publications, including sticker and activity books, handbooks, illustrated non-fiction, board and colouring books, annuals, e-books and journals.

All the publications will make use of the range of expertise available to the UK’s favourite gardening charity as well as drawing on its work with families, schools and children.

This announcement also coincides with the continuing development of the RHS range of children’s products supported by a special style guide, both of which were announced at BLE 2019. The charity is addressing this growing young audience through a strong focus on children’s products in the coming months. This is especially relevant given the growth in family visits to gardens and parks – along with the much greater time devoted to gardening – during this year’s travel restrictions.

Cathy Snow, licensing manager, RHS, said: “One of our most important missions as Britain’s leading gardening charity is to encourage children to develop an interest in gardens and gardening. This is underlined by our development of a licensing programme for children’s products – and who better to help us communicate our message than one of the most admired names in children’s publishing?

“These activity books, which both inform and entertain, are a marvellous introduction to the wonders of wildlife and the joys of gardening.”

Elizabeth Scoggins, publisher, non-fiction, licensing and brands for Scholastic UK, added: “It is a privilege to be working with the RHS, the UK’s most-loved gardening charity. 2020 has made everyone really appreciate opportunities to be outdoors and to explore nature on our doorsteps.

“We look forward to publishing books that inspire children and families to discover the wonders of plants, wildlife and the outdoors using the expertise and passion of the RHS.”

Rights & Brands named licensing agency for author and illustrator duo Astrid Lindgren and Ilon Wikland

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Rights & Brands has been named the licensing and merchandising agent for the joint works of the Swedish author illustrator duo, Asrid Lindgren and Ilon Wikland, based on the artwork and characters created by the pair and enjoyed by children and adults across Scandinavia, the Nordics and beyond.

Lindgren’s books have been translated into 107 languages and have sold more than 165 million copies worldwide. Wikland is the artist who has illustrated the greatest number of these books, including the popular Brothers Lionheart, Ronja the Robber’s Daughter, The Children of Noisy Village, Karlsson on the Roof, Mardie, and more.

Under the guidance of Rights & Brands, and for the first time in many years, Astrid Lindgren Company and Design Ilon Wikland AB have agreed on a mutual merchandising programme, with the first products already launched.

“It’s a great honor for Rights & Brands to represent icons like Astrid and Ilon,” said Patrick Ullman, CEO of Rights & Brands. “We are presenting a program based on the pair’s amazing output of stories and artwork. The initial response has been overwhelming.”

Annika Lindgren, head of publishing at Astrid Lindgren Company and granddaughter of Astrid Lindgren, said: “At Astrid Lindgren Company we are happy that the close and creative collaboration that started between Astrid and Ilon already in 1954, now will deepen and evolve in yet another direction.

“In Ilon, Astrid found ‘her’ illustrator and between them something ‘blessed’ grew, as Astrid’s daughter Karin expressed it. Ilon could dress Astrid’s stories in images like no-one else – images loved by generations of children and families. And just as Astrid wrote for the child within her, Ilon draws for the child within.”

Representing the illustrator and member of the board at Design Ilon Wikland AB, Ilon Wikland’s daughter Fredrika Wikland, adds: “Me and my three sisters, Ilon’s daughters, grew up with a mother who drew and drew. We all got to experience the process of how the images of Astrid’s fantastic stories emerged.

“We got to take part in our mother’s joy, but also her great respect of visualizing the words. Mother always said: when I read Astrid’s text, I always see the images and characters before me. They are already alive. Our mother loved to illustrate for Astrid and their collaboration was filled with mutual respect and admiration.”

Cyber Group Studios appoints MDL as Italian licensing agent for Gigantosaurus

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Cyber Group Studios has named Maurizio Distefano Licensing Agency its exclusive Italian licensing representative as the firm continues to strengthen its multi-award winning children’s property, Gigantosaurus across the region.

Gigantosaurus, the multi-award winning adventure comedy series produced by Cyber Group Studios, is based on Jonny Duddle’s book of the same name, published by Templar. The book has sold more than 500,000 units worldwide.

The first season is streaming on Netflix and Disney+ globally. The first episodes have been available on Rai Play since September 12th and the series will be broadcast on Rai YoYo as of September 21st. 

Soon to air on Rai (Italy), the series is also currently airing on major international networks throughout 2020, such as Disney Junior worldwide, CCTV in China, Tiny Pop in the UK, Super RTL in Germany, SRC in Canada, SVT in Sweden, and many others.

In addition, seasons two and three have been commissioned by The Walt Disney Company and France Télévisions, while Super RTL (Germany) has acquired season two. 

Buoyed by the series’ on-screen ratings success worldwide, a raft of licensing agreements have been signed with prestigious companies such as Clementoni for puzzles (EMEA), Dino Bikes for bicycles, Templar for books, Play Press for activities and colouring books for kiosks and Witor’s for Easter eggs.

All products will be available in Italy between the end of 2020 and next Easter 2021.

In addition, as part of a global launch, the Master Toy licensee Jakks Pacific Inc will sell a toy line this November in Italy. The Master Toy products are already distributed in the USA, Latin America, Germany, Denmark and Belgium. 

Already available globally and distributed by Bandai in Italy, “Gigantosaurus: The Game” has been designed by Outright Games in collaboration with Cyber Group Studios and developed by Wildsphere Studios. 

Maurizio Distefano CEO of Maurizio Distefano Advisory Srl said: “We truly believe in the strong potential of this series in the Italian territory.

Gigantosaurus has already won the hearts of all children and families globally, thanks to its themes and engaging stories. In each episode, preschoolers jump into a new epic adventure with our four dinosaur friends looking for Gigantosaurus. With the licensing products soon available in Italy, children will be able to recreate these scenes at home with their friends and families.”

Bruno Danzel d’Aumont, International Licensing & Marketing Vice President, Cyber Group Studios, added: “Gigantosaurus is a great global and long-term upper preschool property. I am very confident that Gigantosaurus will be successfully launched in Italy under Maurizio’s leadership by working with the major key players and major retailers.

“Maurizio Distefano has impressive experience in the licensing business that goes back many years and is recognized as such in the Italian market. It is a great pleasure to have Maurizio and his team on board and have them as our brand ambassador in Italy.”

Dr Seuss Enterprises makes strides across Europe with German book publishing deal

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Dr Seuss Enterprises is making strides across Europe, having secured new and renewed international licensing deals with the German publisher, Verlag Antje Kunstmann for The Lorax and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The German company has now landed the exclusive publishing rights to the titles across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Verlag Antje Kunstmann first published The Lorax eight years ago, however the deal will mark the first time it has published the popular story How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

The publishing house will begin to release the titles this month, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of The Lorax. Both The Lorax and How the Grinch Stole Christmas will be translated by the award-winning German graphic artist and children’s book author, Nadia Budde for the German, Austrian and Swiss markets.

“Verlag Antje Kunstmann has been an excellent publisher for our titles and we’re looking forward to expanding this partnership as Dr. Seuss’s iconic library continues to perform outstandingly well in these European markets,” said Susan Brandt, president of Dr. Seuss Enterprises.

Illustrated books editor Heike Bräutigam at Verlag Antje Kunstmann, added: “We’re excited to expand our work with Dr. Seuss Enterprises as Dr. Seuss’s children’s books are timeless classics that deserve to be discovered, read and enjoyed by a broad young readership in our markets.”

The expansion of the partnership with Verlag Antje Kunstmann marks the latest growth for the Dr. Seuss portfolio globally. Recently, Dr. Seuss Enterprises announced deals with European licensees Verbarium Publishing, Botart Publishing House, and Thalia, and Australian licensees Amscan, Lake Press, MJM Australia, and Zak Australia.

Penguin Random House to bring Bluey book series to the US and UK in BBC Studios partnership

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Penguin Random House has been appointed the master publishing partner for the popular global pre-school brand, Bluey. Working in partnership with BBC Studios, the publishing house will be launching the first three books in the series to the US market this October, before rolling them out to the UK in the second half of 2021.

The Emmy-winning animated series, created by Ludo Studio, will be landing on Disney+ in the UK next year. With the global rights in all languages (excluding China and Chinese languages), Penguin Random House will be launching two storybooks and one activity book to regions across the globe.

Jan Paterson, the head of book and audio publishing at BBC Studios, said: “We are delighted to partner with Penguin Random House to bring Bluey from the screen to the page for a wonderfully varied collection of fantastic story and activity books for little ones around the world.”

Suzy Raia, VP consumer products and business development, BBC Studios – Americas, said: “Love for Bluey continues to grow among families with young children around the US, and we are looking forward to bringing the stories beyond screens into beloved books we know pre-schoolers will enjoy with their parents.

“The partnership with Penguin Random House is a wonderful addition to a growing licensing program that started with Moose Toys last month. There are many more exciting things ahead for our favourite Blue Heeler.”

Penguin Random House Australia already holds the publishing rights to Bluey in Australia, where the books have enjoyed phenomenal success, selling one million copies in only seven months. The first three Bluey titles, which launched in November 2019, were the second, third and fourth-highest selling Australian children’s books of the year.

Since their launch, titles from the Bluey franchise have held the number one position in Nielsen BookScan’s official Australian bestseller charts a total of 24 weeks (out of 42 weeks).

Francesca Dow, managing director at Penguin Random House UK Children’s, added: “We are thrilled to be publishing Bluey and bringing a bit of the Australian sunshine to the UK. Bluey has a unique charm that appeals to children and adults alike. Her stories are full of boundless energy, brilliant adventures and fun and, most important, are rooted in family experience, which is why they’ve been such a hit with viewers so far.

“We are excited by the unparalleled success in Australia and look forward to creating the same sensation here in the UK. Our wish is for all young children and families to fall in love with Bluey, as we have done.”

The Bluey books have received industry recognition when Bluey: The Beach was awarded the 2020 Book of the Year – the first time in the history of the Australian Book Industry Awards that a children’s picture book has won this prestigious award.

Bluey follows the adventures of a lovable six-year-old Blue Heeler, who lives with her dad, Bandit; mum, Chilli; and four-year-old little sister, Bingo. In each episode, Bluey uses her limitless Blue Heeler energy to play elaborate games that unfold in unpredictable and hilarious ways, bringing her family and the whole neighbourhood into her world of fun.

Bluey is the most watched series ever on Australia’s ABC iview, with over 261 million plays for series 1 and 43 million plays for series 2.

In June 2019, BBC Studios struck a global broadcast deal with Disney to premiere the first two series of Bluey on Disney Junior and Disney+ in all territories outside Australia, New Zealand and Greater China including Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

Dr Seuss Enterprises expands European licensing programme and makes first mark in Slovakia

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New partnerships across Germany, Slovakia, and Albania have seen Dr Seuss Enterprises expand its licensing portfolio across Europe, as the company continues to build momentum around properties including How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Oh, the Places You’ll Go, and Happy Birthday to You.

Under the slate of new partner signings, the portfolio will span multiple categories such as book publishing, kitchenware, and gift items.

Thalia, one of Germany’s largest bookstore chains, has increased its product offerings in 2020 to include snow globes, cereal bowls, plates, slippers, plush Grinches, socks and kitchen towels. Thalia decided to expand its offerings in 2020 due to the success they had with the 2019 How the Grinch Stole Christmas! program.

Last year its offerings included post-it notes, metal buttons, enamel pins, gift bags, gift tags, gift boxes, cookie tins, ornaments, mugs, napkins and travel tissue packs.

Meanwhile, Verbarium Publishing will be releasing How the Grinch Stole Christmas! in Slovakia. This is a new publisher for Dr. Seuss Enterprises and marks the first time that one of its books will be published in the Slovakian market.

Alongside this, Botart Publishing House – who has been a publisher of Dr. Seuss titles since 2015 – will be adding Happy Birthday to You! and Oh, the Places You’ll Go! to its list of titles. These two books will be published in Albania in addition to the other five titles they have already published there.

Susan Brandt, president of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, said: “The Dr. Seuss portfolio continues to resonate throughout Europe and we’re looking forward to bringing our fans new products and books that enable them to continue to engage with their favourite stories and characters within our portfolio.”

The Gruffalo takes a walk into new partnerships in Italy

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Mondo TV, the third-party licensor for The Gruffalo in Italy, Spain, and Portugal, has detailed a new Italian licensee for the popular children’s publishing brand.

Pon Pon Edizioni has been licensed to launch a range of products including activity and colouring packs and sets. The range is aimed at children aged from three to five.

The deal covers Italy, along with San Marino, Canton Ticino and Vatican City. The range will be available at kiosks and bookstores across all of these territories before the end of the year.

The range uses illustrations and designs from the classic book illustrated by Axel Scheffler and written by Julia Donaldson. The story is a delightful tale of how a tiny mouse outwits a number of animals intent on eating him: a fox, an owl, a snake and finally a big, scary creature called The Gruffalo.

The Gruffalo was initially published in 1999 and has gone on to sell over 24 million copies across multiple formats in 99 languages. It has also inspired a growing global licensing campaign. Global licensor Magic Light appointed Mondo to develop a licensing programme for The Gruffalo in Italy, Spain and Portugal in late 2019.

A love of books brought together Gianni Bono and Marilla Pascale, who launched Pon Pon Edizioni in 2013. Today Pon Pon Edizioni has a portfolio that ranges from first reading and classic fairy tale books to magic pens, sticker albums and much more, with a strong profile in partnerships with licensed brands.

Valentina La Macchia, Mondo TV Licensing director, said: “This is a brand famous for its illustrations as well as its wonderful storyline and Pon Pon Edizioni is the ideal partner to bring those illustrations to the market in the form of activity and colouring packs.

“We are expecting to appoint further high-quality licensees very soon in Italy, Spain and Portugal, where sales of The Gruffalo book are very strong.”

 

Author and illustrator Nick Butterworth partners with The Point. 1888

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The Point. 1888 is partnering with the renowned children’s author and illustrator Nick Butterworth to bring the cast of literary properties from his portfolio to life in the consumer products arena.

Butterworth is the mind and talent behind popular children’s book creations such as Percy The Park Keeper series, My Dad is Brilliant, My Mum is Fantastic, My Grandma is Wonderful, My Grandpa is Amazing, and the Altogether Now series. He has sold over 20 million books in more than 35 languages.

The modern classic, Percy The Park Keeper has sold more than nine million copies in partnership with HarperCollins.

Signing the deal this week, Butterworth selected The Point. 1888 following a recommendation from a licensee who was impressed with the company’s retail-first approach and experience with literary brands such as The Gruffalo. The agency now prides itself on its work with brands with purpose, which include River Cottage, Battersea, Metropolitan Police Service and Mumsnet.

Butterworth said: “I am absolutely delighted to be working with The Point. 1888. Celebrating 30 years of dear old Percy The Park Keeper this year has shown me how much love there is for Percy and his animal chums. It is a privilege to know that children, parents, grandchildren and teachers get so much from the books.”

Hannah Stevens, head of retail at The Point.1888, added: “Children across the country have truly embraced these stories for 30 years. The books have a spirit of kindness and fun that resonates with children, parents, grandparents and teachers. We’re thrilled to be able to give families the opportunity to engage further with this ethos with the creation of branded products that can be played with and enjoyed time and time again.”

The Point.1888 aims to create new products based on the gaps it sees at retail, rather than what it thinks the brand’s target demographic might like. The strategy has been adopted in order to support a higher chance of retailer buy-in and a better sales performance.

The Point.1888 has already begun its brand immersion phase, which includes research and competitor analysis, and the team is now ready to engage with their vast network of retail and licensee contacts.

Egmont renews multi-territory deal with Animaccord for Mash and the Bear publishing in Europe

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The popular children’s publisher Egmont has renewed a multi-territory agreement with Animaccord to secure a Masha and the Bear publishing collection in selected territories across Europe.

The renewal comes some ten years after the partnership between the two was first established in order to launch Masha and the Bear publishing in Animaccord’s home market of Russia. It went on to expand into Europe, a deal with the publishing house that has now been extended further.

Egmont will continue developing a wide range of Masha and the Bear items including books and magazines with the distribution to such countries as Czech Republic, Poland, Turkey, Slovakia, Slovenia, and others. The publishing program will include and not be limited to colouring and activity books, board books, storybooks, lift the flap books, and music books.

Bastian Mai, global brand management director, Egmont Publishing, said: “Long term relationships with our licensors are part of Egmont’s strategy and therefore we are extremely happy about the great co-operation that we have with Animaccord on Masha and the Bear across books and magazine in so many countries for so many years. We are looking forward to continuing this partnership in the years to come.”