Manga publisher Tokyopop is making its first foray into titles for young children, releasing a line of picture and board books tied to its new property Stray Sheep. Based on a series of animated short films running on late-night television in Japan, the initial 32-page hardcover storybook—positioned for preschoolers in the U.S.—will launch in September and be packaged with a DVD featuring six animated segments. Tokyopop also plans six board books, with some featuring plush toy inserts in the covers, according to Maury McIntyre, Tokyopop's director of licensing.
The company hopes to license manufacturers for Stray Sheep products including plush, toiletries and night-time items that tie into the books' theme of falling asleep.
