Rocket Licensing – the global licensing agent for bestselling children’s biography series, Little People, BIG DREAMS – has confirmed the arrival of a children’s apparel collection, created by Poetic Brands.
The collection launches across Tesco stores as part of the retailer’s celebrations for World Book Day UK and Ireland (which takes place on Thursday 7 March).
The initial range includes colourful and affordable t-shirts for year-round wear, and features series artwork of the inspiring personalities represented in the books including writer Jane Austen; human rights campaigner Mahatma Gandhi; painter Frida Kahlo; and footballer Pele.
The t-shirts designs draw on the iconic cover artwork of illustrators Katie Wilson, Albert Arrayas, Gee Fan Eng and Camila Rosa.
The collection has made full use of the Little People, BIG DREAMS style guide created to support the growth of the licensing programme. Informed by the design cues of the book series, it aims to inspire product development beyond the books, and to ensure a consistent, recognisable and impactful aesthetic across all brand extensions.
More licensed products are already in development, with extensions of the apparel line into sweatshirts and nightwear, plus announcements of new partners across other categories, to follow soon.
As global licensing agent for the brand, Rocket Licensing also has plans to build the licensing presence of Little People, BIG DREAMS in a number of other international markets, where the books have enjoyed a strong response including the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.
With its first two books published in 2016 by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, an imprint of The Quarto Group, the world’s leading global illustrated book publisher, the series has grown to over 120 books and counting.
Created by author and creative director Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara, the brand produces books and toys for children aged three to eight, and inspires children with real-life stories of artists, scientists, musicians and more well-known figures who have made a big impact on the world around them.
The series has been published in 43 countries and in more than 30 languages, with over 12 million copies sold and 20 new titles published every year.
“From an early stage we knew that the creativity, fun and learning that have made Little People, BIG DREAMS so popular around the world would have a strong appeal in carefully chosen high-quality licensing partners – and so it has proved,” commented Peter Marley, publisher at Frances Lincoln Children’s Books. “Poetic Brands has done a wonderful job of bringing the colour and celebration of the books to a delightful range of apparel that will be a marvellous addition at Tesco outlets throughout the country on World Book Day.”
Anne Bradford, director at Poetic Brands, continued: “The diverse characters, broad and universal audience appeal and exquisite illustrations that have made Little People, BIG DREAMS so popular have also been perfect for a range of children’s apparel that celebrates inspirational people throughout history. We’re thrilled to be working with a brand whose positive values, unique approach and appealing design have struck such a chord with kids and parents across so many markets.”
Rob Wijeratna, joint md at Rocket Licensing, added: “The high-quality writing, illustration and production values that underpin Little People, BIG DREAMS have made this a brand ideal for consumer product development. The positive retail reaction to the wonderful Poetic Brands apparel range in the run-up to World Book Day is entirely appropriate for this great property and, with more potential partners on the way, we’re looking forward to bringing many more categories to many more markets.”
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