Acamar Films has revealed a series of new publishing deals for preschool brand Bing, as well as its debut at the Cheltenham Literature Festival.
The new partnerships across the UK and Italy mark a significant expansion for Bing’s presence in the audio and publishing space.
Little Brother Books has launched a 2025 annual in board book format with an easy cut-out carry handle and including fun learning activities focused on ABCs and 123s; Voxblocks will be launching a Bing audiobook in November, with Bing’s Playtime Stories and Songs collection offering a screen-free audiobook experience; while in Italy, Faba has secured a new partnership for audio stories. Un Giorno con Bing features six stories and two songs that take children on an audio journey through Bing’s day. This will be followed in spring 2025 by Buonanotte Bing, which will offer bedtime stories along with a soothing soundtrack, perfect for helping little ones wind down for sleep.
In addition, for the first time, Bing is featuring at the Cheltenham Literature Festival (4-13 October). Throughout the event, HarperCollins Children’s Books, Bing’s master publishing partner, is hosting a Bing character activity trail in the Wild Woods area. The activity invites families to explore and engage with Bing’s world, bringing the character to life beyond the page.
On 12 October, Bing’s Festival Playtime – a ticketed event at The Hive – will feature professional storyteller Lucy Walters leading an interactive storytelling session of The Leaf Hunt, the newest Bing picture book from HarperCollins Children’s Books. The sold-out event will also include games, sing-a-longs and a special meet and greet with Bing, with every child also given their own pair of Bing ears to take home.
The following day, on 13 October, free storytelling and meet-and-greet sessions will be held at The Storyshack, offering even more children the chance to engage with Bing. Lucy will also be in the Waterstones Children’s Bookshop at intervals throughout the weekend to meet Bingsters looking for their next read.
“We’re delighted to welcome new publishing partners as we continue to expand Bing’s off-screen presence,” commented Heather Crossley, director of publishing at Acamar Films. “It’s also wonderful to debut Bing at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, in partnership with HarperCollins Children’s Books, featuring a host of interactive events that bring Bing to life and create lasting memories for Bingsters and their families. Our aim has always been to enrich children’s lives with meaningful content, and these new partnerships and activities help us do just that.”
The new deals and event presence come on the heels of a successful summer for Bing publishing, highlighted by CBeebies storytelling events at Gloworm and Bestival and releases from HarperCollins Children’s Books.
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