Phidal Publishing

Phidal Publishing Inc., also known in French as Éditions Phidal Inc., is a Canadian publishing company based in the Montreal area. Founded in 1979 by Albert Soussan and his family, the business initially operated as a general publisher, issuing novels and reference guides for adult readers. During its early period, the company used both the Phidal Publishing name and the Albert Soussan Publishing name in connection with its publishing activities. The company's strategic direction changed in 1988, when it began concentrating on children's books. This shift moved Phidal away from its original adult-oriented catalogue and established the children's publishing focus for which it became known. Around the same period, Phidal obtained permissions to publish books connected with Disney properties, adding recognizable entertainment characters and franchises to its catalogue. Licensed publishing became an important part of the company's identity, alongside original and activity-oriented children's titles. Phidal's development was accompanied by changes in premises. The company was initially located at 8255 Mountain Sights Avenue in the Mont-Royal district of Montreal. After its move into children's publishing, it relocated to 5518 Ferrier Street. Continued expansion led to another move in 1995 to 5740 Ferrier Street, the location identified in the available reference material as its established address. Its publishing model is centered on books for children rather than on a single literary genre. The catalogue has included children's storybooks, activity-oriented books, reference-style titles, and products built around licensed characters. Such books are generally designed for family purchasing, gift occasions, early learning, entertainment, and interaction with familiar media properties. The available sources do not provide a complete current catalogue, detailed ownership information, revenue figures, employee counts, or a list of present executives. Phidal is therefore best described as a privately held Montreal publishing house whose principal historical specialization has been children's books and licensed children's publishing.

Phidal Publishing was established in 1979 in the Mont-Royal district of Montreal by Albert Soussan and members of the Soussan family. In its first phase, the company was not exclusively a children's publisher. It produced novels and reference guides aimed at adult readers, and its publishing activities were associated at different times with the Phidal Publishing and Albert Soussan Publishing names. The early business was located at 8255 Mountain Sights Avenue. A major change took place in 1988, when Phidal began focusing on children's books. This represented a transition from a general adult-oriented publishing programme to a more specialized catalogue for young readers. The company also secured permissions to issue Disney-oriented books during this period, giving it access to established characters and entertainment properties and helping shape its later publishing profile. The children's focus placed Phidal within the family and juvenile book market, where story, activity, educational, and character-based formats can be sold through bookstores, retailers, and other consumer channels. Following the change in editorial direction, Phidal moved to 5518 Ferrier Street. The move reflected the company's continuing operations in the Montreal area and its development as a more focused children's publisher. By 1995, the business had expanded sufficiently to relocate again, this time to 5740 Ferrier Street. The latter address is described in the available historical material as the company's actual location. Phidal's documented history is consequently defined by three stages: its 1979 creation as a family publishing enterprise, its initial publication of adult novels and reference material, and its 1988 transition toward children's publishing. The addition of Disney-related books connected the company to licensed publishing, while the later move in 1995 marked a point of operational expansion. The available reference material does not document subsequent acquisitions, public listings, major management changes, financial results, or a comprehensive account of international distribution. It also does not establish a detailed current product list. On the evidence available, Phidal remains a Canadian publishing house whose principal historical identity is its children's catalogue and its use of licensed entertainment properties.

• 1995

  Expansion leads to a further relocation

  [1]Phidal Publishingen.wikipedia.org

  Following expansion, Phidal moves from 5518 Ferrier Street to 5740 Ferrier Street in Montreal.

• 1988

  Shift to children's publishing

  [1]Phidal Publishingen.wikipedia.org

  Phidal begins concentrating on children's books, changing the company's editorial focus from its earlier adult-oriented publishing programme.

• 1988

  Disney-oriented publishing permissions secured

  [1]Phidal Publishingen.wikipedia.org

  The company obtains permissions to release books connected with Disney properties, expanding its children's catalogue through licensed characters and themes.

• 1979

  Phidal Publishing is founded

  [1]Phidal Publishingen.wikipedia.org

  Albert Soussan and his family establish the company in the Mont-Royal district of Montreal. The early business publishes novels and reference guides, including activity under the Albert Soussan Publishing name.

A Montreal-based children's publisher combining story, activity, reference, and licensed-character books for young readers and families.

• Children's literature · 1988

  Children's storybooks

  Story-oriented books form part of Phidal's children's publishing focus established in 1988. The available sources do not identify a complete list of series, authors, formats, or current titles, but the category represents the company's move into books created for young readers and family audiences.

• Educational and activity publishing · 1988

  Children's activity and reference books

  Phidal's catalogue has included activity-oriented and reference-style material for children. These formats extend beyond conventional narrative books and are suited to interactive reading, learning, and family use. Specific current series and publication details are not identified in the available reference material.

• Licensed children's publishing · 1988

  Disney-oriented books

  Phidal secured permissions to publish Disney-oriented books during the period when it was developing its children's catalogue. These titles connected the publisher's books with established Disney characters and entertainment properties. The available sources do not specify the individual titles, licensing terms, or current availability.

• 1988

  Concentration on children's booksStrategy

  Background

  Phidal had originally published adult-oriented novels and reference guides under its publishing names.

  Action taken

  The company redirected its publishing programme toward children's books.

  Aftermath

  The shift established children's publishing as Phidal's defining business area and supported later work with licensed entertainment properties.

  Source

• 1988

  Entry into Disney-oriented publishingProduct launch

  Background

  As Phidal developed its children's catalogue, it pursued permissions connected with a major entertainment property owner.

  Action taken

  Phidal obtained permission to release Disney-oriented books.

  Aftermath

  The licensing arrangement broadened the children's catalogue with recognizable characters and themes, although the available sources do not detail the individual releases.

  Source

1. 1Phidal Publishingen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Phidal Publishing official websitephidal.com