Publishing

CHILDREN’S PUBLISHING

The latest news from Children’s Publishing Properties

By Rossella Arena

The children’s book market is growing and responding well to the pandemic. Now is a good time to launch new products based on successful publishing properties.

Children’s publishing is still a sector in turmoil, although it has been weathering the pandemic very well. For this reason it continues to be a lot of interesting activity in the industry. Here are a few highlights from some high-profile and successful publishing properties.

The main character from Olga The Cloud, by Nicoletta Costa, and the most beloved monster in the world, The Gruffalo, are the latest stars of Ludattica’s newest releases. Olga The Cloud titles will be released starting in March 2021 and are designed for children from 2 years of age. They range from fun association games designed to develop logic and observation skills, to illustrated puzzles. A series of activity books is devoted to the four seasons: each volume will be accompanied by a logic memo game, allowing children to extend their playful learning activity. Drawing school with Olga The Cloud is a special activity book with illustrations to be completed with a supplied erasable marker, teaching kids to draw in the style of Nicoletta Costa. Also, in March, Ludattica will introduce the international publishing and animation hit, The Gruffalo, to the world of educational games in Italy. There will be association and educational games inspired by the original text and images from The Gruffalo books. 100% vegan plasticine, made in Italy it will be packaged with creative games, giving free rein to kids’ imagination and sense of fun, and helping them develop manual skills. In addition to the first four titles, the line will be replenished with new releases throughout 2021.

The iconic children’s book The Little Prince celebrates the 75th anniversary of its first edition in 2021. For this special occasion, several editorial and product releases are planned in France throughout the year: in April, a series of dedicated anniversary editions by Gallimard, including a reedition of the original manuscript and a 2021-2022 agenda; publisher Fleurus will

Olga the Cloud Baby Puzzle by Ludattica

Petit Prince – stamp by La Poste

launch a collector’s edition of The Little Prince for children and coloring books of the series La Grande Imagerie in April; in September, a boxed Anniversary book set will be released by Gallimard, with unpublished content and Little Prince accessories; in November, curated by Geo / Prisma, a prestige large-format edition of The Travels of the Little Prince and SaintExupéry is an Adventure, as well as the Escape Game box. One of the next releases of Ninja Life Hacks

A major licensing plan has also been developed in various categories, with monthly releases: in January gold and silver medals by La Maison de la Médaille, and specially designed gold and silver coins for the 75th anniversary, by La Monnaie de Paris in February; from April there will be a collection of objects curated by Enesco; from May, a collaboration with Pylones, which will decorate the shop windows of its 120 stores around the world with the Little Prince; and in June, a set of 12 custom stamps, in partnership with the French postal service. Ninja Life Hacks is a comic book series 3 to 11 years old. It already has 42 published titles, and at least 20 more on the way. In each volume, a little Ninja experiences an important skill or emotion related to self-esteem and self-knowledge, such as kindness and grit, inspiring children to grow in a positive way. The Ninja Life Hacks Mover and Shaker boxed set, comprised of eight titles, has recently been released. And in licensing, The Brand Liaison agency has been appointed to develop various categories including toys, apparel, homewares, and stationery.

Blippi is a fun and energetic character, Blippi Baby Farm Animals by Studio Fun

created and played by the American educator Stevin John on his very popular Youtube channel. Blippi teaches kids ages two to seven about colors, letters and more! Publishing house Studio Fun International took on the book rights launching a successful book series. The first 13 titles sold nearly 400,000 copies in over 15 formats, including paperback and touch-and-feel. In 2021, the publishing house will release another 12 books, starting with Baby Farm Animals, a sound book about animals. Have a Happy, Healty Day will be released in May, along with a cloth mask for children and will encourage preschoolers to adopt healthy habits, such as washing their hands and eating healthy food.