Global launch for eighth Wimpy Kid

26.03.13 | Tom Tivnan - The Bookseller

Eight publishers worldwide will team up for a near-simultaneous release of the as-yet-untitled eighth book in Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.

Abrams announced yesterday (25th March) at the Bologna Children's Book Fair that its imprint Amulet Books will publish the book in the US in November 2013, with Puffin in the UK, and publishers in Australia, Germany, Greece, Japan, Korea, and Norway to release in their territories days after US publication.

Abrams released a teaser image of series star Greg Heffly being bombarded by Magic Eight Balls [pictured].
"Never in my wildest dreams did I think that Greg Heffley's stories would be enjoyed by this many kids around the world," said Kinney.
Francesca Dow, Penguin Children’s Books m.d. added: "2012 was a huge year for Wimpy Kid and now with an eighth book from Jeff we can look forward to an equally fantastic 2013 for the biggest children’s book brand . . .

"In 2012, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel was the fastest selling Penguin Children’s book EVER, selling one copy every 3.7 seconds and we have no doubt that the eighth book will be just as successful. Watch out for our big plans!'

The seven previous books in the series have sold over 5.3m units for £29.7m through Nielsen BookScan in the UK and around 80m copies worldwide. The books have ben sold in 44 territories and 42 languages.

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