In an effort to expand its children’s nonfiction publishing program, Sourcebooks has struck a deal with March 4th that will add 25 frontlist and backlist titles to its list.
Under the partnership agreement, Sourcebooks has acquired the physical, e-book, foreign, and audio rights in all existing March 4th titles as well as the Little Pickle Press brand name. March 4th was formed late last year by Rana DiOrio to house Little Pickle Press, which DiOrio founded in 2009, and other assets. With the transaction, Little Pickle Press will become an imprint of Sourcebooks’ Jabberwocky unit and will be overseen by Kelly Barrales-Saylor, editorial director of Sourcebooks’ children’s nonfiction program.
Little Pickle is known for creating books “that relate meaningful, complex concepts to children.” Its top seller is Your Fantastic Elastic Brain by JoAnne Deak, illustrated by Sarah Ackerley, which has sold more than 250,000 copies. Sourcebooks will take over distribution of the Little Pickle titles on February 1.
“I could not think of a more natural fit than adding Little Pickle Press to our growing children’s business,” said Barrales-Saylor. “Little Pickle provides us with the opportunity to partner with a remarkably talented entrepreneur, as well as significantly expand our offering of books that inspire, encourage, and teach young readers.”
DiOrio will remain CEO of March 4th but will work with Barrales-Saylor to find new projects for the Jabberwocky and Little Pickle Press imprints. New titles could as soon as spring 2018, Sourebooks said.
DiOrio told PW the deal with Sourcebooks came about when she started looking to raise a new round of financing for March 4th/Little Pickle. She also approached some potential strategic investors, including Sourcebooks founder Dominique Raccah, who brought up the idea of Sourcebooks acquiring the publishing rights to Little Pickle.
In addition to working with Sourcebooks to create new Little Pickle properties, DiOrio will focus on creating and acquiring content and developing video, film, and merchandise strategies in support of Sourcebooks and other partners.
“There are opportunities for creating momentum and real change in this industry by having publishers band together to better support booksellers and authors,” said Raccah. “I’ve greatly admired Rana’s work for years. She has created something really extraordinary, and I am tremendously excited to join efforts with March 4th and the very talented Little Pickle Press authors.”
