Random House Children's Books is acquiring Cherry Lake Publishing Group, the children's publisher known for its trade, library, and educational titles. Under the agreement, Cherry Lake Publishing Group will join the Random House Children's Books division while retaining its editorial independence and creative leadership under Ben Mondloch, president and owner, who will remain with the company. Cherry Lake will remain headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Cherry Lake Publishing Group encompasses six imprints: Sleeping Bear Press, Cherry Lake Press, Cherry Blossom Press, 45th Parallel Press, Torch Graphic Press, and Tilbury House Publishers. Each has a distinct editorial focus spanning trade picture books, classroom nonfiction, graphic novels, and titles supporting literacy and social-emotional learning.
Founded in 2007, Cherry Lake Publishing Group has more than 6,000 active titles in print whose authors include Kwame Alexander, Roland Smith, Sandra Dallas, Devin Scillian, Tim Bowers, Petra Brown, and Kayla Harran. The acquisition of Cherry Lake Publishing Group will, the company said, deepen Random House Children's Books' extensive distribution and sales network, expand its reach in both the educational and consumer markets, and further enrich the overall RHCB publishing list.
Cherry Lake's Ben Mondloch said, "We believe joining Random House Children's Books gives our authors and illustrators the best of both worlds--the creative independence that has defined our work, and the unparalleled reach and resources that will help our books shine even more brightly. Random House Children's Books' strength in school, library, and trade channels will help our books reach the broader audience we've always envisioned."
Mallory Loehr, president and publisher, Random House Children's Books, said, "We have long admired Cherry Lake's commitment to creating books that educate, inspire, and endure. Their work in both trade and educational publishing complements our mission to create lifelong readers beautifully, and we look forward to expanding their readership and igniting the imaginations of young people together."