Sterling Publishing has acquired Boxer Books, an independent London-based publisher of books for children up to age seven. The purchase expands the range of publishing businesses owned by Sterling, including anchor subsidiary Union Square & Co., which will now publish children’s books under its Union Square Kids and Boxer Books imprints.
Launched in 2002 by David Bennett, Boxer Books is dedicated to publishing picture and board books that combine inventive ideas, concepts, and storylines with a strong sense of style and design. The company’s list includes works by an international roster of authors and illustrators, among them Sebastien Braun, Bernette Ford, Emma Garcia, Phillida Gili, Jo Lodge, Nina Michaels, Graham and Lorna Philpot, Nicola Smee, Stuart Trotter, Sam Williams, and Ken Wilson-Max.
The acquisition encompasses more than 200 Boxer Books backlist titles and dozens of frontlist projects that will significantly extend Union Square & Co.’s presence in the infant and toddler space, alongside Union Square Kids. The deal also strengthens the bond between Boxer Books and Sterling, which has distributed the British publisher’s books in the U.S. for more than 15 years. Boxer Books is distributed in the U.K. by Bounce Marketing.
Emily Meehan, chief creative officer and publisher of Union Square & Co., said in a statement “We are proud to be providing a new home for Boxer Books and publisher David Bennett. I’ve long admired his curated approach to children’s book publishing. Boxer Books titles explore imaginative ideas and concepts, all with a great sense of style and design, and are an ideal match for Union Square Kids’ mission of creating books that both children and adults can enjoy.”
Bennett, who will continue to lead the Boxer Books imprint and will report to Meehan, expressed similar enthusiasm for the acquisition. “I am so excited to join the Union Square & Co. family,” he said. “I am invigorated by the team’s creative energy and the new markets we will reach. The opportunity to focus all my efforts on creativity while building Boxer with Union Square & Co. is going to be terrific.”
