Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Penguin Children's Unveils UK Publishing Slate For Tie-In Books Based On Nickelodeon USA's New Animated Preschool Co-Production "Peter Rabbit"; New Sequels To Original Books Announced; Merchandise Planned For 2014; New Broadcast Partners Announced

The book publishing industry news website Book2book is reporting the "Peter Rabbit" news that following the ratings success of Nickelodeon USA, Penguin and Silvergate Media's major co-production of the much anticipated brand new CGI-animated preschool series "Peter Rabbit", which is a fresh re-imagining of the popular Beatrix Potter children's books based on Peter Rabbit and his steadfast friends (along with a couple of toothsome enemies!), which has already garnered huge audiences on both sides of the Atlantic, Penguin Children's Books has announced in Bologna, for the very first time, their brand new Peter Rabbit animation publishing slate.

Five tie-in "Peter Rabbit" titles will publish throughout the year (2013) in the UK to celebrate the launch of the animation including two storybooks, a sticker book, little library format and case board book. 2014 will see "Peter Rabbit" merchandise roll-out. In addition, new "Peter Rabbit" book, "The Christmas Tale of Peter Rabbit" by Emma Thompson, will follow hot on the heels of the critically acclaimed "The Further Tale of Peter Rabbit by Emma Thompson" published September 2012. The new tale will publish October 2013 in the UK and will feature Peter's comical little cousin, Benjamin Bunny and a new character called William. The tale will be set in Beatrix Potter's beloved Lake District. Emma explains: "I'm very proud that Mr. Rabbit has requested a further outing. I shall be more than happy to include his cousin Benjamin whom I've always found peculiarly attractive." The third book by Emma Thompson will publish 2014. Penguin owns world rights in all languages.

Book2book is also reporting in the same article that Nick USA's new "Peter Rabbit" CGI animation co-production continues to be sold globally with six additional broadcast partners confirmed to date for Australia, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Finland and France:
Press Release: Miscellaneous Announcements
Penguin - Bologna News Release 2013

PRE-SCHOOL

*NEWS*

Penguin Children's is thrilled to showcase at Bologna, for the very first time, the brand new Peter Rabbit animation publishing slate. This spring sees the much anticipated Peter Rabbit CGI animation hop onto our screens. Peter Rabbit, his steadfast friends and his lovable family (along with a couple of toothsome enemies!) have been brought up-to-date in the new CGI animation. The major co-production between Penguin, Nickelodeon US and Silvergate Media has already garnered huge audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. The UK's BBC1 Christmas special performed above its slot average, whilst in the US the Nickelodeon Christmas special saw 13 million viewers tune in representing Nickelodeon's biggest launch in the last two years. Five tie-in titles publish this year in the UK to celebrate the launch of the animation including two storybooks, a sticker book, little library format and case board book. 2014 will see merchandise roll-out. The Peter Rabbit CGI animation continues to be sold globally with six additional broadcast partners confirmed to date for Australia, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Finland and France.

*NEWS*

The Christmas Tale of Peter Rabbit by Emma Thompson follows hot on the heels of the critically acclaimed The Further Tale of Peter Rabbit by Emma Thompson published September 2012. The new tale will publish October 2013 in the UK and will feature Peter's comical little cousin, Benjamin Bunny and a new character called William. The tale will be set in Beatrix Potter's beloved Lake District. Emma explains: "I'm very proud that Mr. Rabbit has requested a further outing. I shall be more than happy to include his cousin Benjamin whom I've always found peculiarly attractive." The third book by Emma Thompson will publish 2014. Penguin owns world rights in all languages.