Minneapolis, MN (September 15, 2014)—Consortium Book Sales & Distribution (Consortium), exclusive distributor of leading independent publishers and a member of the Perseus Books Group, is pleased to announce it reached a deal to distribute TOON Books in the United States and Canada starting on January 1, 2015.
Since launching in 2008, TOON Books has pioneered a new field of comics beloved by kids, parents, teachers, and librarians alike. Just two weeks ago, the New York Times profiled the rise of TOON Books in schools across the country in a feature story proclaiming them to be "Comics Even Teachers Can Love." With the recent launch of TOON Graphics for older readers—including the highly anticipated release in October of Hansel & Gretel by Neil Gaiman and Lorenzo Mattotti, which is already in its second printing and has just been snapped up by Hollywood for a live-action film—TOON Books is poised once again to surpass last year's record-breaking sales.
Françoise Mouly, editorial director of TOON Books and art editor for the New Yorker, said, "I am thrilled to join the community of book lovers, booksellers, publishers, and reps who have gathered around Consortium to make independent publishing the bright force that it is today. I'm both excited and inspired to partner with Consortium to accelerate our growth plans to bring comics and visual narratives to more children in homes and in schools."
"I am pleased and proud to add TOON Books to our growing list of children's book publishers," said Julie Schaper, president and COO of Consortium. "Françoise Mouly's mission to create exceptional comics for children has made her an innovator in redefining children's literature. What's amazing about TOON Books is that they appeal to discerning young readers, as well as reluctant ones."
Mouly has masterminded the continued growth of TOON Books' award-winning catalog by publishing visually stunning books by some of the world's most renowned authors, including Art Spiegelman, Neil Gaiman, Hilary Knight, and Jeff Smith, along with breakout newcomer cartoonists, such as Eleanor Davis, R. Kikuo Johnson, and Lilli Carré. The backlist of more than thirty "lovingly produced" leveled hardcover comics—a must in most libraries—has received numerous coveted industry awards, including three Theodor Seuss Geisel prizes given by the American Library Association.
According to Mouly, "All my life, I have made, printed, and published books, working with artists who are also storytellers. I've loved reading and reading comics, and as a mother I have shared that passion with my own kids. I now want to share that same passion for visual storytelling with a new generation of young readers."
As mentioned, this fall TOON Books expanded upon its established offering of comics for kids ages three to seven with the high-profile TOON Graphics line for children ages eight and up that includes Cast Away on the Letter A: A Philemon Adventure by Fred, Theseus and the Minotaur by Yvan Pommaux, and Hansel & Gretel by Neil Gaiman and Lorenzo Mattotti, due out on October 28.
In the coming year, TOON Books plans to double its number of releases. The spring list includes more TOON Graphics including the next installment in the Philemon Adventure series, The Wild Piano; another Greek myth, Orpheus and the Underworld by Yvan Pommaux; and Lost in NYC: A Subway Adventure by Nadja Spiegelman and Sergio García Sánchez, which will simultaneously be released in a Spanish edition, Perdidos en NYC: una aventura en el metro. Also on the list will be more comics for beginning readers: We Dig Worms!: TOON Level 1, by Kevin McCloskey, and the third book in the beloved Eisner-nominated Benjamin Bear series, Benjamin Bear in Brain Storms!:TOON Level 2, by Philippe Coudray.
"It is gratifying to see TOON Books join the Consortium family," notes David Steinberger, president and CEO of the Perseus Books Group. "Françoise's unsurpassed verve for inspiring children inspires us all and we are thrilled to have such a dedicated partner in creative expression and independent spirit."
Consortium Book Sales & Distribution, home to a community of award-winning publishers, believes in the power of independent voices. We strive to share new ideas—some that may otherwise not be discovered—with the world.
Consortium—Where Independent Publishers Live
About TOON Books
TOON Books is home to high-quality comics for kids ages three and up. Every book has been vetted by literacy experts to ensure that its language and narrative is appropriate for its reading level. But our goal in publishing "lovingly produced" books is to combine original stories, stunning artwork, and quality printing to inspire kids (and their parents) to explore the magic of comics. Our TOON Graphics line for visual readers ages eight and up includes both comics and visual narratives that bring the text to life in a way that captures young readers' imaginations and makes them want to read on—and read more. TOON into Reading™ at www.TOON-Books.com.
About Consortium
Consortium grew out of a small book wholesaling cooperative in 1985 to become a full-service distributor, quickly earning a reputation as an advocate for independent publishers. Consortium now represents more than one hundred independent publishers from the United States, Canada, Europe, India, and Australia, enabling them to successfully reach the trade, library, and academic markets for their books. Consortium understands the importance of ideas, and our goal as a distributor is to introduce those ideas—some that may otherwise not be heard—to the widest possible audience. For more information, visit www.cbsd.com.
About the Perseus Books Group
The Perseus Books Group is an independent company committed to enabling independent book publishers to reach their potential, whether those publishers are Perseus-owned, joint ventures or owned by third parties. Perseus publishing imprints include Avalon Travel, Basic Books, Basic Civitas, Da Capo Press, Da Capo Lifelong Books, PublicAffairs, Running Press, Seal Press, and Westview Press, as well as partnerships with The Daily Beast, The Nation Institute, and The Weinstein Company. Through Consortium Book Sales & Distribution, Perseus Distribution, Publishers Group West, and Legato Publishers Group, as well as through its Constellation digital service offering which also supports Argo Navis Author Services and Faber Factory Powered by Constellation, The Perseus Books Group is the leading provider of sales, marketing, distribution, and digital services, serving four hundred independent publishers. For more information, visit our websites at www.perseusbooks.com and www.constellationdigital.com.
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Since launching in 2008, TOON Books has pioneered a new field of comics beloved by kids, parents, teachers, and librarians alike. Just two weeks ago, the New York Times profiled the rise of TOON Books in schools across the country in a feature story proclaiming them to be "Comics Even Teachers Can Love." With the recent launch of TOON Graphics for older readers—including the highly anticipated release in October of Hansel & Gretel by Neil Gaiman and Lorenzo Mattotti, which is already in its second printing and has just been snapped up by Hollywood for a live-action film—TOON Books is poised once again to surpass last year's record-breaking sales.
Françoise Mouly, editorial director of TOON Books and art editor for the New Yorker, said, "I am thrilled to join the community of book lovers, booksellers, publishers, and reps who have gathered around Consortium to make independent publishing the bright force that it is today. I'm both excited and inspired to partner with Consortium to accelerate our growth plans to bring comics and visual narratives to more children in homes and in schools."
"I am pleased and proud to add TOON Books to our growing list of children's book publishers," said Julie Schaper, president and COO of Consortium. "Françoise Mouly's mission to create exceptional comics for children has made her an innovator in redefining children's literature. What's amazing about TOON Books is that they appeal to discerning young readers, as well as reluctant ones."
Mouly has masterminded the continued growth of TOON Books' award-winning catalog by publishing visually stunning books by some of the world's most renowned authors, including Art Spiegelman, Neil Gaiman, Hilary Knight, and Jeff Smith, along with breakout newcomer cartoonists, such as Eleanor Davis, R. Kikuo Johnson, and Lilli Carré. The backlist of more than thirty "lovingly produced" leveled hardcover comics—a must in most libraries—has received numerous coveted industry awards, including three Theodor Seuss Geisel prizes given by the American Library Association.
According to Mouly, "All my life, I have made, printed, and published books, working with artists who are also storytellers. I've loved reading and reading comics, and as a mother I have shared that passion with my own kids. I now want to share that same passion for visual storytelling with a new generation of young readers."
As mentioned, this fall TOON Books expanded upon its established offering of comics for kids ages three to seven with the high-profile TOON Graphics line for children ages eight and up that includes Cast Away on the Letter A: A Philemon Adventure by Fred, Theseus and the Minotaur by Yvan Pommaux, and Hansel & Gretel by Neil Gaiman and Lorenzo Mattotti, due out on October 28.
In the coming year, TOON Books plans to double its number of releases. The spring list includes more TOON Graphics including the next installment in the Philemon Adventure series, The Wild Piano; another Greek myth, Orpheus and the Underworld by Yvan Pommaux; and Lost in NYC: A Subway Adventure by Nadja Spiegelman and Sergio García Sánchez, which will simultaneously be released in a Spanish edition, Perdidos en NYC: una aventura en el metro. Also on the list will be more comics for beginning readers: We Dig Worms!: TOON Level 1, by Kevin McCloskey, and the third book in the beloved Eisner-nominated Benjamin Bear series, Benjamin Bear in Brain Storms!:TOON Level 2, by Philippe Coudray.
"It is gratifying to see TOON Books join the Consortium family," notes David Steinberger, president and CEO of the Perseus Books Group. "Françoise's unsurpassed verve for inspiring children inspires us all and we are thrilled to have such a dedicated partner in creative expression and independent spirit."
Consortium Book Sales & Distribution, home to a community of award-winning publishers, believes in the power of independent voices. We strive to share new ideas—some that may otherwise not be discovered—with the world.
Consortium—Where Independent Publishers Live
About TOON Books
TOON Books is home to high-quality comics for kids ages three and up. Every book has been vetted by literacy experts to ensure that its language and narrative is appropriate for its reading level. But our goal in publishing "lovingly produced" books is to combine original stories, stunning artwork, and quality printing to inspire kids (and their parents) to explore the magic of comics. Our TOON Graphics line for visual readers ages eight and up includes both comics and visual narratives that bring the text to life in a way that captures young readers' imaginations and makes them want to read on—and read more. TOON into Reading™ at www.TOON-Books.com.
About Consortium
Consortium grew out of a small book wholesaling cooperative in 1985 to become a full-service distributor, quickly earning a reputation as an advocate for independent publishers. Consortium now represents more than one hundred independent publishers from the United States, Canada, Europe, India, and Australia, enabling them to successfully reach the trade, library, and academic markets for their books. Consortium understands the importance of ideas, and our goal as a distributor is to introduce those ideas—some that may otherwise not be heard—to the widest possible audience. For more information, visit www.cbsd.com.
About the Perseus Books Group
The Perseus Books Group is an independent company committed to enabling independent book publishers to reach their potential, whether those publishers are Perseus-owned, joint ventures or owned by third parties. Perseus publishing imprints include Avalon Travel, Basic Books, Basic Civitas, Da Capo Press, Da Capo Lifelong Books, PublicAffairs, Running Press, Seal Press, and Westview Press, as well as partnerships with The Daily Beast, The Nation Institute, and The Weinstein Company. Through Consortium Book Sales & Distribution, Perseus Distribution, Publishers Group West, and Legato Publishers Group, as well as through its Constellation digital service offering which also supports Argo Navis Author Services and Faber Factory Powered by Constellation, The Perseus Books Group is the leading provider of sales, marketing, distribution, and digital services, serving four hundred independent publishers. For more information, visit our websites at www.perseusbooks.com and www.constellationdigital.com.
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