Simon & Schuster children’s publishing shingle Simon Spotlight and Scholastic will each publish a line of books based on HIT Ent.’s new animated preschool series Rubbadubbers. Simon will put out novelty and storybook formats while Scholastic will focus coloring and activity books. The companies are coordinating sales and marketing efforts.
The Rubbadubbers TV series will premiere on Nick Jr. in Fall 2003. The show is developed by HOT Animation, makers of HIT’s Bob the Builder, and follows the adventures of a colorful group of bath toys whose imaginations take them on incredible journeys.
Spotlight’s launch list will land in stores in early May 2004 and will include two 8×8 storybooks (Underwater Adventure: Deep Sea Reg and All Aboard! Train Driver Tubb), two vinyl sticker books (If Only … and Beyond the Bathtub), two Super Chubby board books (A World of Colors and A World of Numbers) and one bath book (Here Comes Sploshy!). Five additional titles will be released in fall 2004 with subsequent titles to follow.
Scholastic will launch its Rubbadubbers line with four color and activity titles in May 2004. Bathtime Scramble!; Splish, Splash, Splosh!; Tub Tales; and Splash of Color will contain bath-themed play items for children. Two additional titles are slated to debut in fall 2004.
