Kids Can Press

Kids Can Press is a Canadian publisher specializing in books for children and young adults. Founded in Toronto in 1973 as an initiative associated with the Ontario College of Art, the press emerged during a period of growing Canadian cultural nationalism. Its early purpose was to create children's material that reflected Canadian settings, institutions, subjects, and experiences rather than relying primarily on imported titles. The company publishes across several age ranges and formats, including picture books for young children, nonfiction and educational titles, illustrated fiction, and books for older children and young adults. Its catalogue has been described as comprising nearly 1,000 picture books and approximately 500 e-books, nonfiction, and fiction titles. The list includes the Franklin the Turtle books, one of the publisher's best-known properties, as well as Mélanie Watt's Scaredy Squirrel series. These character and series brands have helped give Kids Can Press visibility beyond the Canadian market while maintaining the company's identity as a specialist children's publisher. Kids Can Press has also developed books with or alongside Canadian cultural, scientific, environmental, and public institutions. Partnerships and publishing relationships have involved organizations including the Royal Ontario Museum, the Ontario Science Centre, the Federation of Ontario Naturalists, the National Museum, the Museum of Nature, World Wildlife, and the National Hockey League. The press was selected as the principal distributor for the Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada, extending its work into substantial educational and reference publishing connected with Indigenous histories, cultures, and communities. Ownership changed several times as the business grew. In 1986, it became a privately owned company operated by Valerie Hussey and Ricky Englander. Canadian animation company Nelvana acquired the publisher in 1998 for a reported C$6.1 million, and Englander departed during the same year. Corus Entertainment acquired Nelvana in 2000, bringing Kids Can Press into the Corus corporate group. Hussey remained with the company until 2006, when Lisa Lyons assumed leadership; the available reference material does not establish the current executive structure. The publisher's catalogue has received Canadian and international critical recognition. Kids Can Press titles have won or been associated with Governor General's Awards, including Cybèle Young's Ten Birds in 2011 and the 2008 awards for John Ibbitson's The Landing and Stéphane Jorisch's illustrated edition of The Owl and the Pussycat. Other notable recognition includes an Independent Publisher Book Award for David J. Smith's If the World Were a Village, an Oprah.com featured selection for Ryan and Jimmy and the Well in Africa That Brought Them Together, and a Kirkus Reviews starred review for Annika Dunklee's My Name Is Elizabeth!. Canada Post also issued Franklin the Turtle stamps in 2012, marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of the first Franklin book. Kids Can Press books are currently distributed by Hachette Client Services according to the cited reference material.

Kids Can Press began in 1973 as an initiative connected with the Ontario College of Art. Its creation reflected the cultural conditions of 1970s Canada, when institutions and creative organizations were seeking to strengthen national publishing and produce material that spoke directly to Canadian audiences. In children's publishing, this meant developing books with locally relevant subjects, settings, and perspectives rather than depending exclusively on imported works. The press gradually developed into a broad children's list covering picture books, nonfiction, fiction, and books for older readers. Its publishing program also included educational and institutional collaborations. The company worked with organizations such as the Royal Ontario Museum, the Ontario Science Centre, the Federation of Ontario Naturalists, the National Museum, the Museum of Nature, World Wildlife, and the National Hockey League. These relationships supported books that connected children's publishing with science, nature, culture, sport, and public education. In 1986, Kids Can Press became a privately owned business operated by Valerie Hussey and Ricky Englander. A major ownership transition followed in 1998, when Nelvana, a Canadian animation company, purchased the publisher for a reported C$6.1 million. Englander left the company that year. Nelvana's acquisition created a connection between the press's publishing activities and a larger Canadian entertainment business, while the catalogue continued to develop around children's books and recurring characters. Corus Entertainment acquired Nelvana in 2000 and consequently became the corporate owner of Kids Can Press. Valerie Hussey continued with the company until 2006, when Lisa Lyons assumed leadership. The available reference material does not provide a complete account of later management changes or a current list of executives. The Franklin the Turtle books became one of the press's defining properties. The character's publishing history also led to wider recognition through adaptations and licensed cultural uses, including Canada Post stamps issued in May 2012 for the twenty-fifth anniversary of the first Franklin book. Another important series is Scaredy Squirrel by Mélanie Watt, which received multiple awards and became a prominent example of the publisher's illustrated character fiction. Kids Can Press has received significant critical recognition. Ten Birds by Cybèle Young won the 2011 Governor General's Award for English-language children's literature. In 2008, John Ibbitson's The Landing won the Governor General's Award for English-language text, and Stéphane Jorisch won the illustration award for The Owl and the Pussycat. Other catalogue highlights include David J. Smith's If the World Were a Village, which received an Independent Publisher Book Award; Herb Shoveller's Ryan and Jimmy and the Well in Africa That Brought Them Together, which was featured on Oprah.com; and Annika Dunklee's My Name Is Elizabeth!, which received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews. The publisher's catalogue has expanded into digital formats and large educational projects. Reference material describes nearly 1,000 picture books and approximately 500 e-books, nonfiction, and fiction titles for audiences ranging from toddlers to young adults. Kids Can Press was also selected as principal distributor of the Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada. Its books are currently distributed by Hachette Client Services according to the cited reference material. The company remains associated with Corus Entertainment and operates as a specialist Canadian children's publisher with international distribution and recognition.

• 2012

  Franklin the Turtle is commemorated by Canada Post

  [1]Kids Can Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Canada Post issues Franklin the Turtle stamps in May to mark twenty-five years since the first Franklin book.

• 2011

  Ten Birds wins a Governor General's Award

  [1]Kids Can Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Cybèle Young's Ten Birds wins the Governor General's Award for English-language children's literature.

• 2008

  Two catalogue titles receive Governor General's Awards

  [1]Kids Can Pressen.wikipedia.org

  The Landing wins for English-language text and The Owl and the Pussycat wins for illustration.

• 2006

  Leadership passes to Lisa Lyons

  [1]Kids Can Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Valerie Hussey steps down after a long period with the publisher, and Lisa Lyons assumes leadership.

• 2000

  Corus Entertainment acquires the parent company

  [1]Kids Can Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Corus Entertainment acquires Nelvana, bringing Kids Can Press into the Corus corporate group.

• 1998

  Nelvana acquires Kids Can Press

  [1]Kids Can Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Canadian animation company Nelvana acquires Kids Can Press for a reported C$6.1 million; Ricky Englander leaves the company.

• 1986

  The publisher becomes privately owned

  [1]Kids Can Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Kids Can Press becomes a privately owned business operated by Valerie Hussey and Ricky Englander.

• 1973

  Kids Can Press is established

  [1]Kids Can Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Kids Can Press begins as an Ontario College of Art initiative intended to create locally relevant Canadian children's material.

A Canadian children's publishing house positioned around high-quality, creative, educational, and culturally relevant books for toddlers through young adults.

• Character-led picture-book and children's fiction series · 1987

  Franklin the Turtle

  Franklin the Turtle is one of Kids Can Press's signature publishing properties and one of the best-known characters in its catalogue. The books center on a young turtle and use everyday experiences to address childhood emotions, relationships, learning, and social development. The property has had recognition beyond books, including a Canada Post stamp issue in 2012 marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of the first Franklin book.

• Picture-book series

  Scaredy Squirrel

  Mélanie Watt's Scaredy Squirrel series follows an anxious squirrel whose elaborate plans and cautious routines are disrupted by new situations. The books combine humor, expressive illustration, and accessible narratives about fear, confidence, and adaptation. The series is described as having received multiple awards and is among the publisher's most prominent contemporary character-led lists.

• Educational reference publishing

  Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada

  The Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada is a substantial educational reference project for which Kids Can Press was selected as principal distributor. Its subject matter concerns Indigenous peoples, histories, cultures, and communities in Canada. The project reflects the publisher's institutional and educational publishing relationships in addition to its commercial children's list.

• Nonfiction and educational books · 1973

  Children's nonfiction and educational titles

  Kids Can Press publishes nonfiction and educational books for children and young adults, including projects connected with science, nature, museums, cultural institutions, sport, and social themes. The list is designed for both general reading and learning contexts and forms a substantial part of the press's broader catalogue alongside picture books and fiction.

• 2006

  Lisa Lyons assumes leadershipOther

  Background

  Valerie Hussey stepped down after leading the company for many years.

  Action taken

  Lisa Lyons assumed leadership of Kids Can Press.

  Aftermath

  The available reference material does not specify subsequent executive changes.

  Source

• 2000

  Corus Entertainment acquires NelvanaM&A

  Background

  Nelvana was acquired by Corus Entertainment, transferring ownership of its publishing subsidiary to the larger Canadian entertainment group.

  Action taken

  Corus Entertainment acquired Nelvana and continued to operate Kids Can Press within the group.

  Aftermath

  Kids Can Press has remained associated with Corus Entertainment according to the reference material.

  Source

• 1998

  Nelvana purchases Kids Can PressM&A

  Background

  The privately owned publisher was acquired as part of the expansion of Canadian animation company Nelvana into related children's entertainment and publishing activities.

  Action taken

  Nelvana purchased Kids Can Press for a reported C$6.1 million. Ricky Englander left the business during the same year.

  Aftermath

  Kids Can Press became part of Nelvana's corporate structure until Corus Entertainment acquired Nelvana in 2000.

  Acquisition price. C$6.1 million (1998)

  Source

1. 1Kids Can Pressen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Kids Can Press official websitekidscanpress.com