Macmillan Children's Publishing launches preschool line for BTS season

NEW YORK — Last month, Schoolies, a line of preschool books and flash cards published by Priddy Books, a division of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, launched into mass, book, specialty and online retailers across the country in time for the back-to-school seson. Now, the company is set to launch nine new titles for spring 2014.

The Schoolies publishing program expansion continues with nine new titles releasing next spring, including a coloring activity book, two sticker activity books, four 8x8 readers — "Time for Recess," "The Talent Show," "The Field Trip" and "The School Fair" — and "My Fun School Set" that includes five books, crayons and more. Initially introduced through a successful mobile app, Schoolies' inaugural book line features Spencer the Owl and his friends as they prepare for their first day of school, make new friends and learn their ABCs and 123s.

"We have been really pleased by the positive response to Schoolies," said Roger Priddy, publisher of Priddy Books. "While we saw the potential of combining Ellen Crimi-Trent's fun collection of characters, along with our Priddy Books approach to early learning, the initial sell-in and sell-through results have been great and confirm the broad appeal of this brand. Schoolies is a classic combination of great children's book characters and essential first learning with all the potential for a strong publishing program for many years to come. "

"The talented team at Priddy, along with their high standards for product quality and creativity, have been integral in evolving Schoolies into the educational preschool brand that I have long aspired for it to become," said Schoolies creator, Ellen Crimi-Trent. "The books are just the beginning, as Schoolies really lends itself to many different products and media platforms. The success to date, along with Priddy's continued commitment to expand the publishing program, is ideal to seed the brand, introduce the characters, and make it a perennial favorite among teachers, parents and preschoolers in the United States and around the world."

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