Phaidon, a global publisher of the creative arts that commemorated its 100th anniversary in 2023, is now gearing up to mark another milestone as its children’s book imprint turns 20. Based in London and New York City, the company launched Phaidon Kids in 2005 with The Art Book for Children, written by its editorial team, a guide to 30 master artists and their most famous works.

Over the past two decades, Phaidon Kids, which currently releases between eight and 12 titles annually, acquired a successful catalogue of other books in the art category. These include the five-volume First Concepts with Fine Artists series, picture books featuring the art of Josef Albers, Alexander Calder, Henri Matisse, and Pablo Picasso. Originally released between 2016 and 2018, the books were reprinted in February.

The imprint also published five volumes in the My Art Books series of board books by Sharon Gozansky, which debuted in 2018 and was named an Oprah’s Favorite Things selection; and the My First Rebel Artists series of six biographies of contemporary artists who “unapologetically made art,” which kicked off in 2019 with Jackson Pollock Splashed Paint and Wasn’t Sorry by Fausto Gilberti.

Deb Aaronson, VP and group publisher for 14 years, chronicled Phaidon Kids’ expansion of its editorial scope since the imprint’s debut. “While art remains an important category for us,” she told PW, “the children’s list has grown to encompass food, with such titles as The Story of Pasta by Steven Guarnaccia and the Cook in a Book series of interactive recipe books by Lotta Nieminen; science, including The Book of Dinosaurs by Gabrielle Balkan and What A Shell Can Tell by Helen Scales; and nature books such as Rainbows in Bloom by Taylor and Michael Putnam.”

The imprint’s worldwide reach has also grown, with sales in more than 50 countries exceeding three million copies.

A Tradition of Creativity and Quality

As is true of Phaidon’s adult list, high-design elements and sophisticated production values are hallmarks of Phaidon Kids’ titles. Examples include two 2024 releases featuring innovative formats. A Family of Trees: My First Book of Forests by Peggy Thomas, illustrated by Cookie Moon, is an eight-foot long, fold-out board book; and Our Galaxy: A First Adventure in Space by Sue Lowell Gallion, illustrated by Lisk Feng, is a picture book that transforms into a freestanding globe. The latter title is part of the creators’ four-book Our World Collection, which was also on Oprah’s Favorite Things list, last Christmas.

In anticipation of its 20th anniversary, Phaidon Kids issued new editions of out-of-print backlist standouts last November. These include Tomi Ungerer’s The Three Robbers, Moon Man, and Fog Island, and Hervé Tullet’s five-volume Let’s Play Series, all of which were last available in 2019.

Original titles highlighting this spring’s 20th-anniversary list are April releases Superpowered Plants and The Secret Powers of Animals, written by Soledad Mariño Romero and illustrated by Sonia Pulido; and Ben Lerwill’s Nature’s Tiny Champions, illustrated by Nic Jones, which introduces small creatures that hold Earth’s ecosystem together. And due in May, Get Dressed! by Katy Canales, illustrated by Erin Vanessa, breaks new ground exploring fashion history for children.

The publisher will roll out a promotional campaign in April. Each week during that month, Aaronson said, “We will offer a social media-themed giveaway, each related to a different category, including cooking, nature, art, and style and culture. Each giveaway will consist of a curated mini library of Phaidon Kids books together with a children’s product such as clothing, crafts, toys, and furniture.”

Additionally, 200 booksellers worldwide will receive a limited-edition, custom poster by French graphic design artist Jean Jullien, author of This Is Not a Book, This Is Still Not a Book, Before & After, and Why the Face? The posters will be available while supplies last; interested booksellers can reach out to their Phaidon rep or contact.

And 25 influencers from across various parenting and children’s book spaces will be selected by the publisher to receive a Phaidon Kids Gift Box containing copies of the 20th anniversary season frontlist, a 20-page activity kit inspired by select backlist titles, and a set of Phaidon-branded colored pencils.

Aaronson noted that the imprint will continue to augment its publishing program as it enters its third decade. “Phaidon Kids has evolved significantly over the past 20 years,” she said, “and we look forward to announcing ambitious plans for expanding the list in the coming year. We remain committed to publishing innovative books that allow young readers to engage with meaningful content across categories in irresistible packages.”