German toy company Ravensburger has acquired NordSüd, the Zurich-based parent company of US children’s publisher NorthSouth Books. NorthSouth is an English-language imprint best known for The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister, Anuschka Albertz, group managing director books+ at Ravensburger, says, “NordSüd stands for extraordinary picture book art and stories that inspire generations. We look forward to setting new trends together and further strengthening the fascination with picture books worldwide. A cooperative and trusting partnership on equal footing is particularly important to us.”
Finance
Editis Owner Bids to Take Over France’s Biggest Bookseller
Czech investment firm EP Group, which owns a 28.5 stake in Fnac Darty, France’s biggest bookselling chain, has made an offer to fully take over the company. EP Group is owned by Daniel Kretinsky, who also owns French publisher Editis. Fnac Darty is valued at more than €1.1 billion. EP made a cash offer for Fnac at a price of €36 per share, about 25 percent more than the the retailer’s recent average share price. Fnac’s board of directors “unanimously welcomed the offer” the announced in a release, and the retailer’s stock climbed 18 percent at the news, Reuters reports. […]
Behrman House Acquired By Stordahl
Publishing executive Derek Stordahl will acquire Jewish educational press Behrman House. Owners David Behrman and Vicki Weber will retire in early 2026. The terms of the deal were not announced. “After three generations as our family’s business, this is a poignant moment,” Behrman said in a release. “We’re so very pleased that Behrman House will continue as an independent press, and that Derek will keep the team together so they can continue to serve the readers and educators who have come to trust our work.” Behrman House publishes educational titles and adult trade books, as well as award-winning children’s titles […]
Cengage Hires Bankers for IPO
Private-equity backed Cengage hopes to follow McGraw Hill by launching an IPO later this year. Bloomberg reports that the company has picked Citigroup and Morgan Stanley to work on an offering “as soon as in the first half of the year.” The people who leaked the news say the hope is to raise approximately $500 million. That’s roughly what McGraw Hill hoped to raised from their IPO last year, but demand was weaker than expected, so the final pricing only raised just under $386 million. Shares fell steadily after the offering, and though they rebounded recently, it still trades well […]
International Literary Properties Receives $100 Million Bank Debt Financing
International Literary Properties has secured over $100 million in bank debt financing from Fifth Third Bank. The five-year credit facility will support ILP’s acquisitions growth, as the company buys more literary estates. ILP is a portfolio company of Viking Global Investors. Amanda Siconolfi, chief financial officer at ILP, said, “This credit facility will help ILP continue its strong acquisition momentum heading into 2026, after doubling the size of our portfolio in 2025. We look forward to extending our leadership as the steward of iconic literary and theatrical estates.” Kevin Ramos, executive director, technology, media & telecommunications at Fifth Third Bank […]
Open Road Acquires Rosetta Books
Open Road Integrated Media has acquired ebook publisher Rosetta Books from private equity firm MEP Capital. Rosetta’s ebook catalog comprises more than 700 titles, including Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, Charles Webb’s The Graduate, and Walter Tevis’s The Queen’s Gambit. MEP Capital is also a minority investor in Open Road. According to a release, “Rosetta Books’s operations will continue uninterrupted.” Rosetta founding publisher Arthur Klebanoff will continue as “consultant, advisor, and the point of contact for Rosetta authors and agents.” MEP Capital “acquired substantially all the assets” of the Rosetta Books backlist ebook catalog in 2021. “We are deeply gratified to […]