Children’s picture books without entertainment backing tend to be licensed on a limited basis, focusing on higher-end products sold through specialty stores. One active area is the infant-products category, where classic storybooks, with their nostalgic appeal and educational positioning, attract parents and grandparents, as well as consumers looking for baby gifts.
To illustrate, three such deals were announced in December and January:
- Stephan Baby acquired the rights to The Rainbow Fish (1992), written by Marcus Pfister, published by NorthSouth Books, and licensed by RJM Licensing, for plush, infant room décor, and gift items.
- Demdaco secured a license for On the Night You Were Born (2006), written by Nancy Tillman, published by Feiwel & Friends, and licensed by JLK Brand, for a similar product range.
- U.K. retailer Marks & Spencer was signed to create baby layette products for Dear Zoo (1982), written by Rod Campbell, published by Macmillan Children’s Books, and licensed by MetroStar.
Of course, other types of properties, from fashion designers and celebrities to sports leagues and TV shows, also have a presence in the infant category. But children’s picture books, whether classics such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar or newer titles such as Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site, have always been a natural fit.
Publishers Weekly subscribers can read about inbound and outbound licensing deals involving children’s books on a regular basis. To read future book-related licensing news, subscribe to PW Children’s Bookshelf, a free, twice-weekly newsletter, where many of PW’s licensing articles appear first.
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