Karen Raugust

Cozy coloring books, licensed titles, and early learning workbooks are driving sales.

Read on for information about Scholastic's new JJ & Mikey books, two new Numberblocks publishing licensees, the launch of a U.S. licensing program for Usborne’s That’s Not My... brand, Random House Worlds’ Mofusand publishing program, and more.

Read on for news about a Baby-sitters Club licensing program with Moxie & Company; a new Who HQ YouTube channel; a young adult Masters of the Universe novel from Mattel Press; Ink Games, a new marketer of book-based collectibles for women and teen girls; and more.

Children's publishers were well represented at Licensing Expo 2026, held last week in Las Vegas, where exhibitors stressed the importance of physical books, both for the educational benefits and as an antidote to screen time.

Penguin Young Readers will debut its first three titles under a new license with Melissa & Doug, the preschool toy brand known for its wooden, sustainable, and realistic role-playing and developmental toys, in the fall.

Since Scholastic invested in 9 Story Media Group, a creator, producer, and distributor of children’s content, in a deal that closed in June 2024, it has been expanding its YouTube footprint.

Private equity investor Brightstar Capital Partners has taken a majority stake in Bendon Publishing International, the mass-market coloring book, craft and activity kit, and educational product specialist with distribution in dollar stores, mass retailers, club stores, supermarkets, and online.

Read on for news about Abrams's 'Danny Go!' publishing program, Running Press Kids’ puzzle books tied to Scrabble and Clue, Spin Master’s plans for its recently acquired Lylli e-book app, and more.

The newly appointed VP of global publishing at Paramount Amy Jarashow says that Paramount Global Publishing will focus on new original fiction, existing IP, and extensions into entertainment and experiences.

Read on for news about the tie-in books for Disney-Pixar’s film Hoppers, an expansion into fiction for Tommy Nelson’s DudePerfect publishing program, a new licensing agent for the Wings of Fire middle-grade fantasy franchise, and more.