Scholastic to launch Klutz 'edutainment' list for children

Scholastic is to target non-traditional outlets with the UK launch of its newly-acquired Klutz range of "how to" books for children.

The list of about 50 titles is to be made available from 1st September. It will comprise about 40 core-range titles from Klutz's backlist together with 10 new titles. More new lists will follow every quarter.

The Klutz books combine entertainment and educational text, often packaged with additional "tools" such as crayons or craft materials.

The range, previously distributed by Hi Marketing in the UK, is to be sold into early-learning, toy, craft and stationery outlets, among others. Scholastic will also push the books through its trade channels into the chains.

The launch in the UK follows Scholastic's global acquisition of Klutz in March. It made an initial payment of about $43m (£28m) to the Canadian Corus Entertainment company, with additional sums to be paid according to Klutz's performance in the next few years.

The company was founded in 1977 and has since sold about 60 million books, mainly in North America. It had worldwide revenues of $39m (£26m) in its latest financial year to the end of August 2001.

Scholastic has produced a film to market one of its lead autumn titles, Viaduct Child by Patrick Wood (15th November, £12.99, 0439981964). The film, made by student Mark Leeming, has been sent to retailers and reviewers, and will feature on Scholastic's Website (www.scholastic.co.uk/zone) from September.