Globe Pequot, the trade division of Rowman & Littlefield, has secured a license with the National Wildlife Federation to produce a series of Ranger Rick nonfiction children’s books. The initiative is linked to Ranger Rick magazine, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2018. Eight to 10 books are planned per year, starting with four to five titles in spring 2016, just as the NWF is marking its 100th anniversary.
“These uniquely branded books are meant to teach about nature, animals, and the great outdoors,” says Jim Childs, publisher of Rowman & Littlefield trade publishing. “They’re well-timed to support the movement to get kids off of digital devices and back outside, with a great brand people know, love, and recognize. And the market reach and platform of Ranger Rick is quite significant.”
Globe Pequot is known for its strength in the outdoor market through its FalconGuides, Lyons Press, and DownEast imprints and has distribution through outdoors retailers, national parks, educational channels and associations, as well as traditional book channels.
The Ranger Rick books will feature photos, drawings, games and outdoor activities, stories, jokes, trivia, songs, and recipes from the magazine’s archives, as well as original content. The first list will likely focus on early to mid-range readers priced at $9.95 and less, with future formats potentially including gift books, activity books, curriculum guides, bilingual editions, parental guides, and others for children from early elementary school through high school age.
This is the first major license on the children’s side for Globe Pequot, which has partnered with brands such as L.L. Bean and Orvis on the adult side. Childs says negotiations are under way to add a couple of other licenses with brands associated, like Ranger Rick, with strong content and market reach.
