Penguin Young Readers, a division of Penguin Random House, and one of the country’s leading children’s book publishers, will acquire Eric Carle LLC, the asset-holder of the intellectual-property rights for Eric Carle, 90, one of the most adored, all-time best selling and widely-read children’s books authors and illustrators. The acquisition includes the global publishing rights to his more than seventy children’s books as well as to the substantial Eric Carle licensing business.
For the past 25 years, the Eric Carle studio, under the leadership of Jack Fortier, CEO, and Motoko Inoue, Creative Director, and their team, has managed the business assets of Carle’s work across books, merchandise, and entertainment. Under the studio’s guidance, the Eric Carle brand has expanded to include live children’s theater adaptations, best selling interactive apps, direct-to-retail license and “good for you” food-and beverage-licensing, making it one of the biggest and most trusted book-based preschool brands in the world.
Beginning in January, all domestic and foreign business operations for what has previously been the Eric Carle studio will be overseen by Stephanie Sabol, Vice President, Business Development, Penguin Young Readers. Penguin will continue to work with The Joester Loria Group (JLG), the respected brand licensing agent for the Eric Carle brand since 2011.
“My son, Rolf and I have decided to transition the management of my books to the most logical and appropriate place: Penguin Random House, my publisher of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. I know they will continue the work of the Eric Carle studio with creativity, integrity and care. I feel confident that entrusting Penguin Random House with my life’s work is the right direction for me, and will benefit many future generations of readers for my books.”
After a period of transition, Motoko Inoue will retire and Jack Fortier will assume the role of President of the Eric and Barbara Carle Foundation. Mary Mekarnom, currently Senior Designer, will take on the role of Creative Director, newly reporting to Stephanie Sabol.
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Massachusetts will remain its own entity and continue Eric and Barbara Carle’s legacy of bringing picture book art to children.