Cartoon Network announced today that it will launch an eponymous imprint with Penguin Young Readers Group in summer 2015. The new “Cartoon Network Books” imprint will publish fun and interactive formats such as Mad Libs®, original fiction novels and chapter books, Activity and Doodle formats, non-fiction handbooks, gift sets, and kits. The 2015 launch will feature books based on the hit animated series Uncle Grandpa and Steven Universe, followed by Clarence, the upcoming We Bare Bears, and the return of ThePowerpuff Girls in 2016. These new lines will build upon Penguin’s successful and robust publishing programs for award-winning series Adventure Time, Regular Show and The Amazing World of Gumball that are currently in market.
Penguin began publishing books based on hit Cartoon Network series such as Adventure Time, Regular Show and The Amazing World of Gumball in 2013 and has since sold nearly half a million books across all Cartoon Network brands in the U.S.
“We’ve seen tremendous success and growth with our Cartoon Network publishing program,” said Francesco Sedita, president and publisher of Grosset and Dunlap, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group. “So it was a natural next step to truly hold hands with Cartoon Network on a dedicated imprint. There’s just so much creativity and fun that happens when we all sit down together.  And our mission is clear: To make awesome books for every child—every type of reader.  That is most important to the both of us.” 
“Publishing plays a vitally important role in the success of our consumer products programs, and Penguin has been a valuable partner in creating engaging books that capture the fun and humor of our characters and shows,” said Pete Yoder, vice president of consumer products, North America for Cartoon Network Enterprises. “This dedicated imprint and expanded partnership will allow us to continue to tell great stories with our brands within the pages of our books.”
Under the new Cartoon Network Books imprint, Penguin will create publishing formats and concepts that expand the experience to viewers and fans of the network’s key franchises that will be available throughout North America. The partnership will also allow Penguin to collaborate with show creators and producers to create new original fiction series that will be released solely on a publishing platform.  All books in the Cartoon Network Books imprint will be designed with reluctant readers in mind, and deliver the core attributes of humor and wit that are essential to the DNA of Cartoon Network.
 
Penguin Young Readers Group:
Penguin Young Readers Group is one of the leading children’s book publishers in the United States. The company owns a wide range of imprints and trademarks including Dial Books, Dutton, Grosset & Dunlap, Philomel, Puffin, Speak, Firebird, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, Viking, Razorbill, and Frederick Warne. These imprints are home to such award-winning, New York Times- bestselling authors as, Laurie Halse Anderson, Jay Asher, Judy Blume, Jan Brett, Eric Carle, Ally Condie, Roald Dahl, Tomie dePaola, Sarah Dessen, Anna Dewdney, John Flanagan, John Green, Anthony Horowitz, Oliver Jeffers, Mike Lupica, Richelle Mead, Richard Peck, Patricia Polacco, and dozens of other popular authors. Penguin Young Readers Group is also the proud publisher of perennial brand franchises such as The Little Engine That Could, the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series, Peter Rabbit, Spot, the Classic Winnie the Pooh, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Strega Nona, Madeline, Mad Libs, Alex Rider, the Rangers Apprentice, Skippyjon Jones, Flower Fairies, and Pippi Longstocking, among many others. Penguin Young Readers Group is a division of Penguin Group LLC, a Penguin Random House company.
 Cartoon Network Enterprises:
Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) is responsible for building consumer products and merchandising programs for a wide range of brands by securing and supporting long-term licensing partnerships across all categories. As the global branding and merchandising arm of Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, the division manages the consumer product programs for the networks’ award-winning original programming, brands and characters including Ben 10, Adventure Time, Regular Show, The Amazing World of Gumball, The Powerpuff Girls, Adult Swim and more. CNE also serves as the exclusive global licensing agent for LazyTown Entertainment and the PGA of America for the youth marketplace.
Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com) is regularly the #1 U.S. television network in prime among boys 6-11 & 9-14. Currently seen in over 98 million U.S. homes and 194 countries around the world, Cartoon Network is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s ad-supported cable service now available in HD offering the best in original, acquired and classic entertainment for kids and families. In addition to Emmy-winning original programming and industry-leading digital apps and online games, Cartoon Network embraces key social issues affecting families with solution-oriented initiatives such as Stop Bullying: Speak Up and the Move It Movement.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

Contact:
Shanta Newlin                      Penguin Young Readers                     212-414-3630      snewlin@penguinrandomhouse.com
Lauren McCabe                  Cartoon Network Enterprises            212-275-6882      lauren.mccabe@turner.com