Tag Archives: harpercollins children’s

HarperCollins secures exclusive world rights for Cbeebies hit show Tee and Mo

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HarperCollins Children’s Books has secured exclusive world rights to publish the tie-in books for the BAFTA award-winning CBeebies hit show Tee and Mo. The deal was concluded by Juliet Matthews, Colour Publisher at HarperCollins Children’s Books, from Plug-In Media via Val Fry and Fryday Brands.

Exploring the relationship between Tee, a little monkey, and Mo, his first-time monkey mum, Tee and Mo is narrated and sung by Lauren Laverne, and is a multi-platform brand that has captured the hearts of parents and children worldwide. Featuring light-hearted storylines and catchy melodies, it has gained huge popularity since the show first aired in 2018. With an album of original music, animated original songs as well as a YouTube channel and apps, there are multiple ways for fans to engage with the brand. Series two launches in spring 2022.

The new range of colour publishing will launch in May 2022 with Are We Ready to Go?, the first in a series of paperback picture books with original stories based on BAFTA-winning animated music-video series Tee and Mo Song Time. This will be accompanied by simultaneous audio downloads of the story and the song.

“I was excited by Tee and Mo the very first time I saw it and have been following its development over the last few years,” says Juliet Matthews at HarperCollins. “Now, with a raft of creative accolades and global ambition, it’s the perfect time to launch a series of books and audio based on the original songs, sung so brilliantly by Lauren Laverne. Tee and Mo embody that wonderful and slightly overwhelming relationship between a first-time mum and her child in such a charming and funny way that you can’t help but fall in love with them.”

Dominic Minns at Plug-In Media says: “Tee and Mo has always been designed as a dual-audience brand, creating opportunities for children and their caregivers to see themselves reflected in the stories, and in doing so laugh and bond together. There has never been a more dual audience platform than picture books and it has always been our dream for Tee and Mo to find a home in print. HarperCollins has the most incredible track record in creating iconic stories that bring people together. We are incredibly honoured that they have chosen to bring Tee and Mo into their wider family of brands, and we look forward to a long relationship together.”

 

Paddington Bear is taking over the British Library this summer with exclusive exhibition

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Paddington Bear is taking over the British Library this summer with the launch of a special, family-friendly exhibition celebrating 60 years of one of the world’s most beloved bears.

Paddington: The Story of a Bear will run at the library from July 9th to October 31st with an exhibitions spanning the 60 years since the character was first published by HarperCollins Children’s Books in 1958. The exhibition will feature over 50 books, documents, film clips, and original artworks as it explores the creation of Michael Bond’s Paddington in full.

The exhibition will also feature activities for visitors to practise their hard stares, take their own self ‘pawtrait’ and follow the trail of marmalade left by Paddington, as well as a special printed guide for families. Two local primary schools in Camden – Argyle Primary School and Edith Neville Primary School – have been working with the Library since November 2020 to create new content for display in the exhibition for all visitors to enjoy. 

Paddington is a timeless and universal story of desire for home, acceptance and a sense of belonging, which appeals to all ages. Featuring books, documents, film clips and original illustrations, highlights will include, a First Edition of A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond, illustrated by Peggy Fortnum, the original review of A Bear Called Paddington by Barbara Ker Wilson in 1958, and a selection of photographs and memorabilia of Michael Bond on loan from his family.

It will also feature clips from the Paddington movies and sound recordings such as Michael Bond talking about the process of creating Paddington’s stories, as well as original illustrations of Paddington stories by artists including Peggy Fortnum, David McKee and RW Alley.

Alison Bailey, lead curator of Paddington: The Story of a Bear, said: “Paddington: The Story of a Bear is a fun, family-friendly exhibition recalling the many faces of Paddington we’ve come to know and love in original artwork, books, and scenes from TV and film adaptations.

“This exhibition reminds us why, over 60 years on from his creation, Paddington still resonates with people of all ages, wherever they are in the world. We hope visitors enjoy following this loveable bear on his adventures and discovering his stories.”

Sophie Kopaczynski, CEO at Copyrights Group said: “As Paddington brand owners we are delighted to be working with the British Library on this fantastic exhibition. 

“The exhibition invites families and fans – old and new – into the world of Paddington, full of adventure and kindness, through a wide variety of mediums, books to original artworks, letters to objects, film footage to exclusive TV clips. 

“It is always a pleasure to be able to introduce Paddington to a new audience and to offer new and exciting content for existing fans.”

There will be a series of events and adult learning courses inspired by the exhibition, as well as workshops for families and relaxed openings for children on the autism spectrum.

School groups can enjoy exclusive timed slots including free, activity-led facilitated workshops for Primary students.