Lisle Appoints Master Publisher for Mood Bears
Lisle Licensing announces that Igloo Books has been confirmed as the master publishing partner for Mood Bears, the colourful collection of eight bears which reflect human emotions.
This is the first, and significant, licensing agreement for the brand which was a landslide winner in the 2023 series of Dragon’s Den and was swiftly followed by a worldwide manufacturing, sales and distribution partnership with Tomy. Lisle was appointed at the end of 2023 with a brief to develop a strategy spanning categories to include publishing, apparel, fashion accessories, BTS, plus arts & crafts.
The signing of Igloo Books will see the highly reputed mass market publisher, who has more than ten years expertise in children’s licensed publishing and a global footprint, develop a range of titles that will launch in early 2025.
The initial range will include a soft touch cover storybook that focuses on a single Mood Bear story but introduces all eight characters which will inspire children of all ages to understand and identify the wide variety of emotions they feel. This will be supported by a perfect bound colouring book including line art of all the bears and areas for readers to note their thoughts, feelings and emotions, as well as a traditional activity book featuring puzzles, games and activities which draw upon social and emotional learning.
Commenting, Francesca Lisle, Managing Director at Lisle Licensing says: “This is a significant signing for the growth of Mood Bears and our strategic licensing programme. Igloo are well versed in creating book ranges which appeal to a variety of readers and have an excellent in-house creative team and a global sales team. They are the perfect publishing partner for the loveable Mood Bears brand.”
Mike Heron, Head of Licensed Publishing at Igloo Books says: “Mood Bears is a truly fantastic brand with great potential. From the moment Jo spoke with us about the story behind the brand we were hooked. These bears are not just a toy, they are a friend when a child needs one the most, offering a supportive hug during an unsettled time. Our hope is that this publishing range will be able to bring a little of that light into their lives and help children of all ages to understand who they are and how they feel in a fun, relatable way.”
Mood Bears promotes mental health positivity through the collection of eight adorably soft bears which include Happy, Sad, Silly, Calm, Nervous, Angry, Love and Hope. Each plush bear is produced from 100% recycled materials and promotes emotional well-being for all ages, not just children. Each bear has been designed to offer a friendly face and a squishy smile that will brighten someone’s day; with this is mind each one has a different distinctive colour to match the mood associated with their name, based on colour psychology, a biography that enables consumers to learn more about each mood, and paw shapes indicating the mood they depict.
