Karen Raugust

Read on for news about Running Press Kids' pairing with Cloudco Entertainment on two YA books, Union Square & Co.’s Super Smalls books, Cottage Door Press’s license with Mattel for its Luna StoryTime projector, a new licensing agent for Love You Forever, and more.

Read on for news about the hot preschool property Gabby’s Dollhouse, Tommy Nelson’s new Strawberry Shortcake license, Running Press’s Miffy books and gifts, and more.

Read on for news about publishing programs for two PBS Kids shows focused on computational thinking, MIT Kids’ 'Work It Out Wombats!' and Paw Prints’ 'Lyla in the Loop'; a STEM-based graphic novel introducing the Spark Universe, from Andrews & McMeel; Michaelson Entertainment’s pro sports-licensed board books; a look at Random House’s Richard Scarry licensing program five years in; and more.

Read on for news about Peppa Pig titles, classic and tie-in publishing leading up to a new animated Cat in the Hat movie, a new HarperPop graphic novel from popular gamer Aphmau, licensed merchandise based on Lauren Roberts’ Powerless, and more.

Several exhibitors at last week’s busy show in Las Vegas said they were relieved that new deals were being discussed, given the Trump administration’s tariffs, especially those tied to China, where 90% of toys and other consumer products are made.

Mattel Press is introducing a new Fisher-Price board book series called Smilestones, beginning in August; the company’s goal is to expand Fisher-Price beyond toys and connect with parents in new ways.

Read on for news about Fox Chapel's Jeep publishing program, DK’s deal with Crunchyroll, Penguin Ventures’ expansion of Peter Rabbit licensing in the U.S. and Canada, IDW’s signing of Bridge Licensing to extend its brands into consumer products, and more.

Calico Critters is entering the world of publishing in the U.S. and Canada for the first time this year, through Macmillan Children’s Books; the popular line of collectible animal figures is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2025.

Read on for news about Laurence King’s children’s books with the Van Gogh Museum, upcoming Choose Your Own Adventure titles starring SpongeBob SquarePants and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Thunder Bay Press’s Deddy Bears coloring and activity titles, Chronicle’s expanding Studio Ghibli program, and more.

Scholastic has signed on as the publisher for Skibidi Toilet, a humorous sci-fi series on YouTube. Since its launch in 2023, the property has become a viral meme, spurring a plethora of third-party content generation.

Read on for news of the 20th anniversary book tie-ins for 'Avatar: The Last Airbender,' DK’s Warhammer expansion, recent comics successes and new publishing ventures from Hasbro, a new title in HarperCollins’s Wow in the World series, shoe designer Kat Maconie’s new children’s book, and more.

Toy Fair 2025 returned to the Javits Center in New York City this year, concluding its four-day run on March 4.

Read on for news about Rebel Girls’ new sports vertical, Mattel’s new deal with Tokyopop for manga, a new consumer licensing program from Fodor’s with plans for children’s and adult products, and more.

Author and illustrator Zachariah OHora is expanding into a new medium with the debut of the 2D-animated show 'Carl the Collector'; it is the first PBS Kids series to include lead characters who are on the autism spectrum.

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers is set to take the Murdle phenomenon to a younger audience with the publication of the first Murdle Jr. puzzle book and a middle grade mystery.

See news about Penguin Workshop's new MG nonfiction titles under the Time for Kids brand, Studio Fun's Spellbound publishing program, brand extensions for Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, and more in our roundup of licensing news.

Penguin has renewed its master publishing deal with BBC Studios for the hit preschool animated series Bluey. Bluey books have sold more than 20 million copies in 22 languages worldwide, including 8.5 million in the U.S.

When Papp International acquired Chouette in 2023, it brought the ancillary publishing program for The Little Prince into its licensing portfolio. The publisher has just closed a deal to become the lead publisher for ancillary publishing in the Americas.

Universal Products & Experiences has launched an extensive licensing program to support the November 22 release of the feature film 'Wicked, and nearly 75 brands and 20 retail partners have been announced to date.

Penguin Young Readers has partnered with the Ford Motor Company to publish children’s books, starting this year with a picture book and three board books.