Reader's Digest Children's Publishing to Produce Line of Barbie Books

Posted on October 5, 1998

The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. is teaming up with leading toy-maker Mattel, Inc. to produce and distribute a global line of children's books based on Barbie. The announcement comes as Reader's Digest prepares to exhibit a host of new children's interactive and novelty titles, including the Barbie Book Collection, at the Frankfurt Book Fair, scheduled October 7-11 in Germany.

Reader's Digest Children's Publishing will create the Barbie Book Collection, consisting of craft and activity books and educational books for girls ages 2 to 9. Scheduled for release in fall 1999, the books will be marketed under the Reader's Digest Children's Books imprint. Both lines of Barbie books -- eight in the fall lineup alone -- will be sold in bookstores, mass market chains and specialty stores in the United States, as well as in Australia, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.

Vivian Antonangeli, Reader's Digest Children's Publishing general manager, said: "The new Barbie Book Collection is really the next generation of Barbie books for a new generation of kids, integrating the character little girls love with educational, interactive books that everyone can enjoy. We're thrilled to be working with Mattel, the No. 1 toymaker, and Barbie, the world's most popular doll."

Interactive educational books targeted at young girls include titles such as Barbie: What Shall I Be?, introducing careers such as firefighter, doctor, astronaut, business executive, teacher, artist, chef, ballerina and fashion designer. Other titles teach concepts such as numbers, colors, shapes and opposites. For young children, the books will be produced in formats such as lift-the-flap and CarryAlong board.