The Grosset & Dunlap imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group has licensed the infant development brand Sassy for a series of baby books under the Sassy: Inspiring the Senses banner. The first four titles, to be released in fall 2013, are Baby Loves Colors, Who Says?, Baby’s World, and Baby Sees.
“I’ve been thinking about this for a long time, but I wanted the right partner to help us figure out what was really right for the marketplace,” says Francesco Sedita, Grosset & Dunlap’s president and publisher. “About two years ago, we met Sassy’s team and realized that this was exactly what we were looking for.”
The books are being developed with Sassy’s early childhood experts and are intended to stimulate age-appropriate physical, intellectual, emotional, and social skills. For example, titles will address developmental traits ranging from a newborn’s limited vision to the recognition of primary colors that develops at six months and up. “We started the conversation at infant and newborn, but we don’t want to end the conversation there,” Sedita says.
Sassy markets infant and toddler developmental products ranging from toys and room organization to bath, feeding, grooming, hygiene, and teething items. “The books match the Sassy aesthetic, and their branding is very clear,” Sedita says. “They have had quite a bit of input into the development process and have been an important part of the puzzle both in editorial and design.”
In addition to the first four Sassy titles, four more are planned for the winter and fall 2014 seasons, respectively, with two more per season expected thereafter. Licensing agent Lisa Marks Associates represented Sassy in the deal.
