AT-A-CAKE – BABY, PRESCHOOL AND EARLY YEARS IMPRINT WREN & ROOK – TRADE NON-FICTION IMPRINT

Hachette Children’s Group CEO, Hilary Murray Hill is delighted to announce the launch of two new imprints which will both begin publishing in 2017.

 

Pat-a-Cake is the baby, preschool and early years imprint, of which Heather Crossley, previously at Ladybird Books, was appointed as Publisher in 2015 to set up. Pat-a-Cake will enliven the preschool space with high-quality early learning fun for children from birth to six. Heather reports to Hilary Murray Hill.

 

Wren & Rook is a new non-fiction imprint, which will publish books for creative and curious readers, from picture books through to titles for teens. Wren & Rook is led by Publishing Director, Debbie Foy who reports to Rob Ince, Publisher, Education and Non-Fiction.

 

Hilary Murray Hill, CEO, Hachette Children’s Group comments on the new imprints; ‘Our two new imprints will expand our offering and grow sales. The Group is already home to many household-name picture book brands and Pat-a-Cake will build upon these robust foundations. Our existing non-fiction imprints, Franklin Watts and Wayland, already publish successfully into the school and library market. Our aim with Wren & Rook is to provide innovative consumer-facing non-fiction.’

 

Sophie Stericker, Creative Director, Hachette’s Children’s Group says, ‘We worked with Unreal, an independent creative agency, on both identities. Their ideas reflect the distinct personalities of the two imprints in a clear and relatable way.’

Pat-a-Cake will begin publishing in March 2017 with 33 titles in its first year, in five key developmental areas: Sensory Baby (birth to eighteen months); Talking Toddlers (eighteen months to thirty-six months); Preschool Playtime (three to four years); Ready for School (four to five years); and School Success (five years plus). Launch series include First Baby Days, high-contrast board books with pull-tab pages and mirrors, and Toddler’s World, cased board books with pop-out pages. In addition, the imprint will publish brands and licenses.

 

Heather Crossley, Publisher, Pat-a-Cake comments, ‘Pat-a-Cake aims to wake up the preschool market with stand-out design, imaginative editorial content and the endorsement of experts. Our books will be robust, of fantastic quality and always good value for money. We hope Pat-a-Cake will become part of the furniture of a child’s life.’

 

Wren & Rook will create three strands of non-fiction publishing: interactive product for younger readers, design-led gift books, and teen and YA focussed titles. Publishing 30 books in 2017, Wren & Rook’s launch list includes a dinosaur sticker activity book, The Story of the Car, a retro-styled gift book by Giles Chapman, and Doing Itfrom YouTuber and presenter, Hannah Witton.

 

Debbie Foy, Publishing Director, Wren & Rook comments, ‘The name Wren & Rook was inspired by the rooftop views of St. Paul’s Cathedral from Carmelite House. The two birds reflect the ambition to be quick, creative and curious. We are tapping into a new generation of authors, designers and illustrators who will craft exceptional non-fiction stories for a new generation of readers.’

 

Rob Ince, Publisher, Education and Non-Fiction comments, ‘The children’s non-fiction market has been experiencing a period of growth and renewed interest and we are thrilled to be launching Wren & Rook. Our aim is to entertain, delight, inform and engage children of all ages and backgrounds with truly imaginative non-fiction.’