4 minute read

Poppy and Sam

from PaperPie Spring 2023 Catalog

from PaperPie Spring 2023 Catalog, page 152

Early Learning

I find it almost impossible to believe that 2023 will be the 50th anniversary of the foundation of Usborne. My career in publishing all started with a phone call from my wife saying that I was going to be a father. I knew from that moment on that I wanted to create books for children. I always think that my job has been an extension of the incredible privilege of being a parent.

I started with little other than a plan to focus on non fiction books, as I felt that those currently on the market were far too serious and unwelcoming for children. Children’s TV at the time was, I felt, doing a better job of engaging kids, and magazines too. So I looked to both those formats for inspiration.

As we tried to forge a new path in children’s publishing, we had some hits and misses. But the “publishing philosophies” we developed in those early years continue to guide us: “Do it better,” “Never speak down to children,” “Always make books pick-uppable.”

Our books are now published all over the world (in 137 languages at current count) and I am proud beyond belief that there are children and parents everywhere looking for books with our distinctive, colorful hot-air balloon for the best in non-fiction, baby books, activity books, music books and so much more.

I’m enormously indebted to my remarkable staff, many of whom have worked with me for decades. I’m also tremendously grateful to the team at EDC and their consultants for selling our books in the USA for many decades. We look forward to a strong future together.

The growth and success of Usborne has exceeded by far my wildest expectations, and has given me what I consider to be the best life of anyone I know. I love what I still do at the company now I’m 85.

Thanks to you all – to booksellers, to consultants, to parents – and to everyone else for helping us so much. I hope that you’ll join me in celebrating 50 wonderful years!

Usborne F rmy rd T les Poppy nd S m Bunny nd the Join Poppy and Sam and their new friend the bunny for fun on Apple Tree Farm. Push your finger through the hole to bring the bunny to life.

$X.XX

JFMAMJJASOND/19 05716/1 Made with paper from a sustainable source Illustrated by Simon Taylor-Kielty Based on illustrations by Stephen Cartwright Written by Sam Taplin Designed by Kate Rimmer

www.usborne.com www.usbornebooksandmore.com

First published in 2019 by Usborne Publishing Ltd. Copyright © 2019 Usborne Publishing Ltd. The name Usborne and the devices are Trade Marks of Usborne Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. UE. First Published in America 2019.