Whitaker House, the Christian publishing arm of the Whitaker Corporation based in New Kensington, Penn., has acquired the children’s book publisher Smart Kidz Books, a division of Smart Kidz Media, Inc. Whitaker's president, Robert Whitaker, Jr., will head up the new line of books, which includes a backlist of over 100 titles. The publisher plans on acquiring new titles while also repackaging and releasing the Smart Kidz Books backlist over the next few years.

Smart Kidz Books publishes titles for children from infancy through age eight. Some of its bestsellers include It’s Potty Time, You’re My Little Love Bug, Love from My Heart, and It’s Time to Call 911. Book series created and produced by Smart Kidz include My Animal Family, Best Loved Bible Stories, Baby Signs, and How I Feel.

Whitaker’s warehousing division, Anchor Distributors,will take over distribution of the books and is cataloging the library on its own website, www.SmartKidzBooks.com, coming soon. Ron Berry, founder of Smart Kidz Media, is staying on as a publishing consultant.