Dr. Seuss Enterprises has unveiled plans for a new brand featuring baby versions of classic Dr. Seuss characters.
The new brand will include a completely new merchandising programme featuring partners in the infant and baby category, as well as an interactive board book publishing programme combining simple rhyming text with bright illustrations to inspire a lifelong love of reading.
Along with the upcoming line of books and products, Dr. Seuss Babies characters will also make their debut in a collection of shows called Learn to Read. The series is designed to develop phonic reading skills through sounds and letters. The first show will debut on 16 August on Dr. Seuss’s YouTube channel.
The merchandising programme has already attracted a number of partners including Playtex Baby, Hello Bello and Posh Peanut, with the first products including feeding solutions, nappies and onesies.
Dr. Seuss Enterprises is in negotiations with several prospective licensees to further build out a curated global product pipeline in 2025.
“Babies and toddlers love to discover the world around them,” commented Susan Brandt, president and ceo at Dr. Seuss Enterprises. “Dr. Seuss Babies will help them explore, learn and laugh. Our hope is that this brand inspires and delights a new generation.”
The debut title in the board book series from Random House Children’s Books – Happy First Birthday – will be published on 7 January 2025 and celebrates a major life event for all families alongside a pint-sized Cat in the Hat, Thing One and Thing Two.
The Dr. Seuss Babies publishing schedule will include two additional board books to be released in 2025 – Mr. Brown on the Farm in May and Merry Grinchmas, Baby! in September – as well as three more titles to follow in 2026.
Alice Jonaitis, executive editor, Dr. Seuss Publishing at RHCB, continued: “We are so excited to bring this adorable new line of books to the youngest of Dr. Seuss fans. With the eye-catching new art style, the beloved characters have become even more baby-friendly and will help nurture a love of reading at the earliest age.”
Want to read more news like this? Simply sign up to our daily digest by clicking here. You can also follow us on LinkedIn and on Instagram (@licensing_source).
