David and Charles Signs Debbie Bliss MBE for The World of Peter Rabbit™ Baby Knits Book
David and Charles Publishing is extending its licensed craft books range with a new book by renowned British knitwear designer, Debbie Bliss. Peter Rabbit™ Baby Knits is officially licensed by Penguin Ventures – on behalf of brand owner and Beatrix Potter’s original publisher, Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd – and will publish in August 2025.
Bliss, 71, was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s 2016 Birthday Honours List for her services to hand knitting and the craft industry. Known for classic knits with a contemporary twist and particularly for her baby and childrenswear, she has published over 50 books and design booklets and has lectured in the UK, Europe, Mexico, India and North America. She also has her own brand of hand-knitting yarns which are sold worldwide.
Knitting has undergone a huge resurgence since the pandemic as well as what is being described as “the Tom Daley effect.” There are an estimated 7.3 million knitters in the UK.
Ame Verso, David and Charles Publishing Director said: “We are honoured and excited to be working with Debbie on this remarkable licensed property. Debbie is exceptionally talented and she and Peter Rabbit are both iconic, so this is a match made in heaven!”
Thomas Merrington, Creative Director at Penguin Ventures said: “Peter Rabbit is one of the most successful baby apparel brands in the UK and we are delighted to be releasing a second book with David and Charles. Debbie Bliss is incredibly influential within the knitting and craft industry and this book will beautifully showcase her range of knitwear, for readers to create for a new generation of Peter Rabbit fans.”
Peter RabbitTM Baby Knits will publish in August 2025. Other THE WORLD OF PETER RABBIT™ craft books published by David & Charles include Knitting Peter RabbitTM by Claire Garland, and the forthcoming Peter RabbitTM Crochet Toys by Carla Mitrani, with further titles in discussion.
About THE WORLD OF PETER RABBIT™ and Beatrix Potter
The Tale of Peter Rabbit is one of the world’s best-loved children’s books and was created by author and illustrator, Beatrix Potter in 1902. The story has never been out of print since it was first published by Frederick Warne & Co. (today an imprint of Penguin Random House) and has sold in excess of 46 million copies worldwide. Today over 2 million of her ‘little books’ are sold globally every year, whilst Peter Rabbit has appeared on books and merchandise in more than 110 countries throughout the world. Penguin Random House Children’s is committed to growing and protecting The Peter Rabbit™ brand. The World of Beatrix Potter™, one of the world’s largest literature-based licensing programmes, is managed in-house by Penguin Ventures. www.peterrabbit.com PETER RABBIT™ © Frederick Warne & Co. 2024. PETER RABBIT and BEATRIX POTTER are trademarks of Frederick Warne & Co., a Penguin Random House Company. All rights reserved.
About Penguin Ventures
We’re off the page and on an adventure. Penguin Ventures is the licensing and consumer products division of Penguin Random House Children’s UK. We manage and exploit our portfolio of iconic literary brands and characters: PETER RABBIT™; THE SNOWMAN™; THE WORLD OF ERIC CARLE™; FUN WITH SPOT™; FLOWER FAIRIES™ and more, we find new ways to tell the world’s favourite stories. Working with best-in-class partners in licensing, retail, promotions, experiential, theatrical, exhibitions; at location-based experiences; and across the digital landscape, we take our beloved characters off the page and on new adventures. www.penguinventures.co.uk For more information get in touch at: penguin.ventures@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk
About David and Charles
David and Charles is an independent publishing company with a mission to create books and related products that ignite and nurture hobbies and interests. By empowering people to learn new skills and explore their interests, we can create a brighter future. We are market leading publishers in practical craft and art categories, with an emerging list of wellbeing books. Our books are loved by readers around the world, and published from our base in Exeter, Devon. www.davidandcharles.com For more information contact ame@davidandcharles.com