Penguin Group has acquired the rights to Zoobles, a collectible toy brand for girls, from Spin Master and its global licensing agent, Cartoon Network Enterprises. “The toys made a huge splash for holiday 2010, and now Spin Master and Cartoon Network are just going to ramp it up,” says Francesco Sedita, president and publisher of Grosset & Dunlap and Price Stern Sloan. “They’re adorable and sweet, and it’s a play pattern that’s interesting for girls 5-9. The brand spoke to me personally, and to the whole team.”
The toys are small, colorful balls that turn into mischievous animal-like creatures when placed in their miniature houses, or “Happitats.” The books will help establish the personalities of the characters, as well as develop the humor that is a key aspect of the property, Sedita says. The first three books in spring 2012 will be a sticker storybook about Zooble Isle, which is the world of the Zoobles; an 8x8 storybook about a talent show; and a level 2 reader that introduces one of six lands that comprise Zooble Isle. Plans call for two to four more titles per season thereafter, with distribution in all retail channels.
Spin Master continues to add new characters and accessories to the toy line and develop games and other content for the Web site.
