Scholastic has taken a minority stake in Make Believe Ideas, a U.K.-based publisher of interactive children’s books, with plans to debut a co-branded line of books for early learners at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, which opens March 30.

Scholastic and MBI will debut the books at the Bologna, in advance of their global English-language release in the fall. The titles in the line will feature a number of capabilities to encourage activity-based learning, from sound to touchscreen activities.

Ellie Berger, Scholastic executive v-p, trade publishing said the line speaks to a “renewed focus on the importance of reading with babies beginning at birth.” She added: "Make Believe Ideas' focus on early learning and creativity and its engaging product line extends our publishing program and fits seamlessly into our distribution channels at Scholastic.”