HC to celebrate Mog

02.03.10 | Katie Allen in The Bookseller

HarperCollins Children's Books is to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Judith Kerr's Mog books with anniversary publications, a range of products, and touring exhibition.

The inaugural Mog title, Mog the Forgetful Cat, first published in 1970, will be released in a special anniversary edition this month, alongside a Mini edition, while a Mog the Forgetful Cat pop-up book is lined up for October.

HCCB has also secured global licensing rights for film/TV and merchandising for the Mog series of books, which comprises 16 titles, and Kerr's picturebook The Tiger Who Came to Tea. The publisher is planning to develop a range of consumer products including toys, arts & crafts, apparel and accessories for nursery-age children, plus greetings cards, stationery, gifts and homeware with a "retro-spin" for young women.

Mario Santos, HCCB m.d., said: "Judith Kerr is a truly exceptional talent in the world of picture books. We are extremely proud to have been her publisher from the beginning . . . and we are delighted be celebrating that partnership alongside Mog's 40th anniversary this year.

"We have a strong and extensive backlist and now look forward to developing an exciting licensing programme which will see Judith's charming characters appearing beyond the pages of her many books."

A retrospective exhibition of Kerr's work is on display at Seven Stories, the Centre for Children's Books, in Newcastle until May 2010, when it will tour to Scarborough Museum and Art Gallery from July to September 2010, the V&A Museum of Childhood at Bethnal Green in summer 2011, and the Wolverhampton Art Gallery in summer 2012.

Kerr's Mog titles and The Tiger Who Came to Tea have reached sales of nine million, according to the publisher.

Footnote:
The Bookman was bookselling in Napier in 1970 and remembers these titles well. Congratulations to Judith Kerr and good on you Harper Collins for acknowleging her talent in this way.