Up Close: Author Karen Katz gets the 'World'
By Karyn M. Peterson -- Playthings, 4/10/2007 7:26:00 AM
Coming soon to specialty! Early this summer, prolific children’s book author and illustrator Karen Katz, in partnership with Culver City, Calif.-based Small World Toys, will launch her first line of infant and toddler toys based on characters, themes and designs from some of her more than 30 popular book titles.
The line will include games, activity sets, floor puzzles, plush and accessories featuring familiar book characters or styled in custom-print fabrics unique to the artist. The first wave of merchandise, which debuted at Toy Fair, includes the 12-inch soft Belly Button Baby doll and Where is Baby's Belly Button? set ($24.99); a set of six puzzles ($14.99) inspired by the same book; fabric learning boxes ($29.99) for squeezing and stacking (pictured); a set of 20 soft building blocks ($39.99); and a Travel Activity Quilt ($39.99) that features a rattle, squeaker, mirror and squares of crinkle-fabric and other textures.
Playthings caught up with the author last month for her thoughts on her writing and design process, the development and marketing of the new toys from Small World and her plans for the line's future expansion. Here is our exclusive interview with Katz in its entirety.
Q: What was the inspiration for your two newest board books, Daddy Hugs and Mommy Hugs?
Katz: My book Counting Kisses is one of my favorites, so it seemed the next step had to be a book about hugs. A lot of the ideas for the books came from my memories of my husband and me hugging our daughter Lena. She has been my biggest inspiration. The board books are reprints of the hardcover editions. I love them in the smaller more chunky size. Perfect for little hands.
Q: Were they originally conceived of as a pair of titles?
Katz: Originally it was one book titled How Many Hugs? The original book was about all the different kinds of hugs you can give a baby. My editor at Simon and Schuster suggested we do it as a pair of mommy and daddy books. I think it was a great idea.
Q: When creating a new title, what are some of the differences in a board book and a picture book?
Katz: Picture books usually have more words in them but they tell more of a narrative story. Board books are usually simpler. They are generally 6 spreads and are about one concept. When I create a board book, I try to make something that is very interactive for the baby, with flaps and pull tabs and lots of surprises. Board books are a perfect size for a baby’s hand to hold and touch. Babies can have an experience all by them selves with a good board book and can also have a good lap-time experience with a mommy or daddy or caregiver. Picture books take a little more care since the pages can rip. With a board book, you can throw it in a stroller, chew on the corners and even wipe off mashed peas.
Q: What are some of your favorite titles that you've done?
Katz: That’s a very hard question! I like everything I’ve done! Of course I love Counting Kisses and Where’s Baby’s Bellybutton? But I have so many different kinds of books, like Can You Say Peace? and No Biting! I also have a potty book and a book about Kwanzaa. I have so many different kinds of books I’ve done that it is impossible to say.
Q: Can you tell us more about your new infant and toddler products partnership with Small World Toys?
Katz: Small World Toys is a wonderful toy company and a perfect match for me. They create interactive toys that are beautifully designed, well thought out, and perfect for kids and babies. My books are interactive and work well with their concepts of what a good toy should be. We both believe in products that promote discovery and imagination in children. Our idea was to create some toys that were fun but also enhanced parent-child playtime. The toys are colorful and bright and they use lots of my signature patterns. I can't wait for them to hit the shelves in June.
Q: How did that come about? Do you have a lot of input on the development of the products?
Katz: Well in the last year I decided to get into licensing because I thought there could be some great products that complimented by books. I've been partnering with like-minded companies who develop the initial product concepts using my art and design style and then I share my ideas, thoughts and changes.It's really a collaborative process. Of course, it's really important to me that products with my name on them be soft and safe and approved by me.
Q: Have you always wanted to create toys and other unique baby products tied to your books?
Katz: It’s a dream for me to be able to take my books and expand my vision to other products. Many of my books are interactive and use tactile elements so moving to three-dimensional products is easy. I love baby products and can’t resist buying them. My studio is filled with bibs, toys, stuffed animals dolls, clothes, diaper bags…you name it! Everything is an inspiration to me.
Q: Can you tell us about your new line of toddler clothing?
Katz: I have been working with a clothing manufacturer, World Apparel, to create several lines of baby and toddler clothes. The clothing is bright and fun and funky and uses patterns from my books and a lot of my artwork. We describe the clothing as “yummy.” Karen Katz Just for Baby is being carried in a lot of small boutiques at the moment and soon we hope to launch it in larger stores.
Q: Do you have any new special events or promotional programs coming up that you'll be participating in for any of your books, for the clothing or for the toys?
Katz: We are dreaming up some events that we can do to present all the products together. Sometime in the spring I think I may do something at FAO Schwarz. Check my Web site at www.karenkatz.com.
Q: After Peek-a-Baby debuts this summer, what's next for you?
Katz: I have more interactive and manipulative board books on my schedule for ‘08 and ‘09. Next spring, Schwartz and Wade, an imprint at Random House, is premiering my newest character, Princess Baby, in a picture book. Small World Toys and I are in the process of creating more new toys for ‘08 to add to the line. I am designing a summer line of baby clothes for next year and after that…. I’m going to take a vacation!
