HCG and Octopus partner with National Gallery

Two Hachette UK companies, Hachette Children’s Group (HCG) and Octopus, have struck a 10-year partnership with the National Gallery Company to produce activity books for children and adults.

Octopus’ Ilex imprint will launch a National Gallery-branded list in spring 2017 with two titles - a spot-the-difference puzzle book for grown-ups and a giant dot-to-dot puzzle book.

HCG will in summer 2017 release a children’s guide to the National Gallery by artist Paul Thurlby, followed by “an alphabet celebration of art” entitled A is for Art, also by Thurlby, in the autumn. It will also publish a sticker and activity book by James Mayhew.

Emma Layfield, picture book publisher at HCG, and Denise Bates, group publishing director at Octopus Books, brokered the partnership with the JELC agency, which was acting on behalf of the National Gallery Company.

Judith Mather, buying and merchandise director at the National Gallery Company, said: “It is a pleasure to have this relationship with the Hachette Group. We are looking forward to producing new titles in the adult activity book market. We are also delighted to be working with Paul Thurlby.”