By Dennis Abrams

Scholastic has made a minority equity interest in Make Believe Ideas, the popular UK-based book publisher known for innovative books for babies and children “designed to encourage creativity and to promote learning.”

The first co-branded books for Early Learners ages 0-5 will be revealed next week at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair and are slated for a global English language release this fall. They will include brightly colored, interactive books that encourage activity-based learning in multiple formats, including lift-the-flap, finger tracing, sound-enriched, touch-and-feel, write-and-wipe, as well as books with press-out models and sticker activities.

In a press release, Ellie Berger, EVP, Scholastic, and President, Trade Publishing said, “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. With a renewed focus on the importance of reading with babies beginning at birth, we are thrilled to expand our offerings in the global English language market with co-branded, gorgeous, colorful books that make reading and learning fun for babies and young children.”

Jo Bicknell, founder of Make Believe Ideas, added, “Make Believe Ideas have worked closely with Scholastic for many year now, and we could not be more delighted to be going into a more formal partnership with the biggest children’s book company in the world.”