TALKBACK

Softplay grows with publishing purchase

By Staff -- Playthings,07/07/2008

CHICAGO—Softplay Inc., marketer of interactive books and related soft toys, has purchased Boston-based children’s book publisher Kidsbooks LLC for an undisclosed sum.

Kidsbooks is a privately held publisher of high-quality fiction and non-fiction children's books in several formats, including softcover, hardcover, board and lift-the-flap. Titles, which span the spectrum from preschool learning and grade school biographies and reference works to how to draw guides and joke collections, are said to be "educationally sound and incorporate 'fun' as a learning tool."

“The addition of Kidsbooks will provide us with a full range of content to serve our customer base from birth through adolescence while achieving economies of scale of combined operations in Chicago,” said Dan Blau, Softplay’s owner and CEO.

Post-purchase, Kidsbooks’ design, editorial and product development will continue to operate from the company's Boston offices. Kevin Murphy will remain its president.

Founded in 1995, Softplay is a privately held manufacturer of award-winning interactive books and soft toys for children sold through a variety of mass market and specialty retailers. New titles and formats are created each year, complementing an active backlist of evergreen titles.

Pictured: Softplay's StoryWheels train

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