Hachette Book Group has acquired more than 1,000 titles published by the Disney Book Group, including Newbery, Caldecott and Geisel award-winners, bestselling series, backlist titles, as well as some books that haven't been released yet.
These titles will begin publishing under Hachette's Little, Brown Books for Young Readers division and imprint, effective immediately. LBYR will publish print and e-book formats of these additional titles and hire a team to support the transition.
"We're thrilled to be the new home for this extraordinary collection of books," said HBG CEO Michael Pietsch. "HBG already knows and loves these titles after many years of handling sales and distribution for Disney Book Group's imprints, and we are proud now to become their publisher. This acquisition is a natural step in HBG's plans for growth and backlist expansion."
Megan Tingley, executive v-p and publisher, LBYR, added, "We are eager to welcome so many talented authors and illustrators to the Little, Brown family. LBYR has been focused on strategic growth, hiring new editors and expanding into graphic publishing and nonfiction, and this acquisition plays a significant role in this plan."
Disney Publishing Worldwide will focus on acquiring and developing content that can be leveraged beyond books across multiple platforms and media. DPW and its affiliates will continue to publish under multiple imprints, including Disney Hyperion, Disney Press, Disney Editions, Marvel Press and Disney Lucasfilm Press.