Chicago Review Press, Inc., the parent company of Chicago Review Press and Independent Publishers Group distribution company, announced on Monday that effective July 1, it has acquired the Bright Ideas for Learning series. The series was originally published by Bright Ring Publishing, which was founded in Washington state in 1985 by MaryAnn F. Kohl with the release of Scribble Cookies.
The company specializes in publishing art resource books for children, parents, and teachers in its Bright Ideas for Learning series. There are 11 titles currently in print, all authored or co-authored by Kohl. IPG will continue to distribute Bright Ideas for Learning titles in print under the CRP imprint: Discovering Great Artists, Action Art, Great American Artists for Kids, Science Arts, Storybook Art, Good Earth Art, Scribble Art, Mudworks, Mudworks Bilingual Edition, MathArts, and Making Make-Believe.
CRP will not take on any Bright Ring staff with the acquisition. Kohl will continue her work as a parent educator, author, literary agent, and education and publishing consultant.
Founded in 1973, Chicago Review Press currently releases about 70 frontlist titles—primarily nonfiction for adults, but also some fiction and some children’s books—annually under six imprints: Chicago Review Press, Lawrence Hill Books, Ball Publishing, Zephyr Press, Academy Chicago Publishers, and Parenting Press.
