HarperCollins will handle sales and distribution of Usborne books to the trade and specialty retailers, schools, and libraries in the U.S., effective with the fall 2023 season. Usborne's backlist catalog will begin to become available from HarperCollins in February 2023, and increasing over time. As of February 1, all trade back-office functions, including customer service, warehousing, billing, and credit, will be performed by HarperCollins.
Usborne, with headquarters in London, England, is an independent, family-run children's publisher that was founded in 1973 by current chairman Peter Usborne. The company has 3,000 titles in print in English and publishes 350 new titles per year for children of all ages, in all genres, about all topics.
HarperCollins president and CEO Brian Murray said, "We've worked with Usborne for many years in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, and the U.K., and know first-hand how their mix of creativity, extraordinary care, and fierce determination has made them one of the world's leading children's publishers. I've personally long been an admirer of Peter and Nicola Usborne, and what they and their team have accomplished. I look forward to deepening our relationship and completing our global English language partnership."
Managing director Nicola Usborne said, “Usborne and the HarperCollins' lists have a natural synergy, and we look forward to the very experienced HarperCollins sales force selling our bestselling books into the U.S. trade market. We aim to have an Usborne book to answer every question that a child might have and are delighted to expand our reach into the vibrant U.S. market."