Australian publisher Hardie Grant is launching its children's book imprint Bright Light in North America. Bright Light will publish 15-20 titles a year in the U.S., starting with a debut list of eight picture books for fall 2023. The imprint is led by publishing director Marisa Pintado, publisher Chren Byng, and art director Pooja Desai.
Bright Light was founded in 2021, when the world was in lockdown. Kate Brown, managing director of Hardie Grant Children's Publishing, commented, "As publishers for children, we take our role of amplifying experiences and issues very seriously. We created Bright Light to shine a light on parts of our community who are underrepresented or not represented at all in kids' books. We want every child in the classroom to see themselves--their family, their culture, and their values--cast in a positive light in the books that they're reading. We also want to push boundaries and start important conversations about matters that affect the next generation. The world is a diverse place, and this generation of kids and parents expect to be able to explore it through the stories they read together. We are proud to add these stories to the conversation, and to bring the imprint to the kids and their grown-ups in North America."
The debut list consists of From My Head to My Toes, Come Over to My House, Posey Pearl Is a Curious Girl, Bees Are Our Friends, The Kindness Club, Welcome Little One, Remarkable Remy, and All the Love in the World.
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| Stephen King | |
Earlier this month, Hardie Grant announced that Stephen King will become managing director of Hardie Grant Publishing U.K. and U.S., effective July 1. King will oversee the growth of Hardie Grant Publishing U.S., including the Hardie Grant Books North America imprint, which launches this fall under the leadership of publisher Jenny Wapner and marketing & publicity director Lorraine Woodcheke.