HarperCollins Children's Books partners with Hopster

HarperCollins Children's Books has partnered with Hopster, an "edutainment" subscription app that helps kids under six to learn through stories.

Judith Kerr’s The Tiger Who Came to Tea and Paddington by Michael Bond are among a range of e-books that will be available in the app's newly launched "Book Boat" section, while Up and Down by Oliver Jeffers, another of HarperCollins' popular children's books, will be available in audio. The rationale behind the different formats on offer is to provide children with "magical new stories in a multi-sensory way".

The books will be available within Hopster’s regular monthly subscription of £3.99, with additional stories releasing monthly. 

Hopster, all about providing "guilt-free" entertainment for pre-schoolers with no ads, has over one million users and in 2016 was named best streaming video platform by Kidscreen. It was also recently awarded 2016’s Best App of the Year on Apple TV in the UK and Ireland. 

Ann-Janine Murtagh, executive publisher for HarperCollins Children’s Books: “We are delighted to be partnering with Hopster on this exciting new launch. At HarperCollins we are proud to publish Britain’s best-loved children’s books – and committed to bringing our author’s stories to as many children as we can in new and exciting ways. We aim to inspire a lifelong love of reading and help build the readers of the future. Our partnership with Hopster presents an exciting pathway to new readers and we are excited to embark on the journey.” 

Nick Walters, c.e.o. at London-based Hopster, said the partnership with HarperCollins would help encourage children to develop a lifelong love of books. The app previously was limited to kids shows and songs enhanced by academically-vetted learning games.

“The way kids are consuming stories and exploring their imagination is changing, and more and more are using digital platforms like Hopster as their go-to hub for entertainment. Our aim is to help kids find content that’s not just fun, but is nurturing to their development. With the addition of HarperCollins’s classics, we can help kids to discover the joy of reading and develop a love of books that will stay with them for a lifetime,” he said. 

Lelia Ingram, head of learning at Hopster, added: “Books are such a valuable addition to our magical Hopster world as we want to instil in kids a love of books and stories, and encourage them to read for both pleasure and entertainment. The question that I've been asked many, many times by parents is, ‘What can I do to help my child at home?’ My answer is always the same: read to them, read with them and enjoy books together. The power of reading to develop imagination, grow vocabulary and open eyes to new worlds is simply boundless.”