Loren Long Signs a 5-Book Deal with Penguin Young Readers Group's Philomel Imprint
October 12, 2012
Press Release:
PENGUIN YOUNG READERS GROUP ACQUIRES FIVE NEW PICTURE BOOKS BY ACCLAIMED AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR LOREN LONG
October 9, 2012 – New York, NY – Award-winning, New York Times bestselling author/illustrator Loren Long will publish five new picture books with Philomel, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, it was announced today by Michael Green, President and Publisher of Philomel. A Christmas-themed picture book featuring Long’s beloved tractor Otis is scheduled for publication in fall 2013. Philomel will continue to publish one Otis title per year along with activity and board books. A picture book featuring a new character is in the works as well. The deal was brokered by Steven Malk of Writers House. Philomel has World Rights.
Michael Green said, “Loren Long is like no artist today in children’s books. His work recalls the warmth and movement of such luminaries as Thomas Hart Benton and Norman Rockwell, yet with a childlike appeal that feels instantly at home at bed- or story-time. We at Philomel feel incredibly lucky to have the chance to work with Loren and to further build the emerging brand that is Otis.”
Loren Long is an award-winning, #1 New York Times best-selling children’s book author and illustrator. In addition to illustrating such acclaimed books as Watty Piper’s The Little Engine That Could, Madonna’s Mr. Peabody’s Apples, and President Barack Obama’s book, Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters, Loren is also the author/illustrator of the New York Times bestselling Otis picture books, Otis, Otis and the Tornado, and the upcoming Otis and the Puppy, scheduled for publication in March 2013. Otis and the Tornado is the recipient of this year’s Midwest Booksellers Choice Award for Best Picture Book. Loren lives in Cincinnati,Ohio with his wife and two sons. You can visit him at www.lorenlong.com.
Philomel Books was founded in the early 1980s from World Publishing Group for Young People. In its early days, with its mission to produce distinguished picture books that would stand the test of time, the imprint was home to what would become such industry classics as The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco, and the Caldecott Medal-winning titles Owl Moon by Jane Yolen and John Schoenherr, and Lon Po Po by Ed Young. Today the imprint is known just as well for its thrilling commercial series—most notably those that appeal to boys—and groundbreaking literary fiction. Among the series and authors that now call Philomel home include Anthony Horowitz’s Alex Rider Adventures, John Flanagan’s Ranger’s Apprentice series, Andrea Cremer’s Nightshade trilogy, and Mike Lupica’s sports fiction—all perennial New York Times bestsellers—along with Kathryn Erskine’s National Book Award-winning Mockingbird and Ruta Sepetys’ internationally acclaimed Between Shades of Gray. Philomel is also home to a new generation of picture book stars including Loren Long, whose Otis is an emerging character and bestselling franchise, and Oliver Jeffers. Philomel, publisher to nearly forty titles per year, retains its standards of excellence in everything it releases, producing nourishing books for young minds that grow.
Penguin Group (USA) Inc. is the U.S. member of the internationally renowned Penguin Group. Penguin Group (USA) is one of the leading U.S. adult and children's trade book publishers, owning a wide range of imprints and trademarks, including Viking, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, The Penguin Press, Riverhead Books, Dutton, Penguin Books, Berkley Books, Gotham Books, Portfolio, New American Library, Plume, Tarcher, Philomel, Grosset & Dunlap, Puffin, Razorbill and Frederick Warne, among others. The Penguin Group (http://www.penguin.com) is part of Pearson plc, the international media company.
Media Contact: Shanta Newlin, Director of Publicity 212-414-3630 Shanta.newlin@us.penguingroup.