Project First’s animated series Leo the Truck has moved into the publishing space, with Panini rolling out bedtime stories for the franchise for preschoolers in Germany.
The animation – which involves viewers in the process of assembling vehicles and devices, with Leo encouraging children to actively engage with the story, enhancing spatial intelligence and attention to detail – is translated into 15 languages and has gained 23 billion views on YouTube worldwide.
Two seasons of 130 episodes are in rotation, with new episodes of season three due to be released. The brand also has its own apps, which have gained 26 million downloads.
“We are delighted to be able to expand our colourful licensed portfolio in the children’s book sector with Leo the Truck,” commented Gabriele El Hag, senior publishing director at Panini publishing house. “Leo the Truck is aimed at girls and boys of kindergarten age, which is why we will initially start with bedtime stories. Leo has a very large fan base on YouTube and we are convinced that the little truck and his adventures will also be a hit as a book. Leo simply fits perfectly into our children’s book programme.”
Panini Verlags is the German subsidiary of the Panini Group. In Germany, Panini publishes 180 books, 750 comic and 50 magazine titles, as well as 50 collector’s collections (stickers, trading cards and more) every year.
Vladimir Nabatov, business development director at Project First, continued: “We are happy and proud that our German fans who keep asking where to buy products with Leo now have the chance to buy the best quality books produced by such a prominent publisher as Panini. Leo has a huge success on our German YouTube channels, as well as German Amazon and we are excited to extend our licensing programme to meet demand.”
Leo the Truck is represented by Active Merchandising in Germany.
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