HCG's 20th anniversary plans for 'Giraffes Can’t Dance'

Hachette Children’s Group is preparing a new publishing programme next year to celebrate 20 years since the publication of Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees’ picture book, Giraffes Can’t Dance, and bring the book to an audience of new readers.

The anniversary follows the first 1999 publication of Giraffes Can’t Dance. The picture book, about being yourself and dancing to the beat of your own drum, went on to become an international number one bestseller, selling over four million copies worldwide, according to Hachette, and a total of 841,124 copies for £3.5m across all editions to date through Nielsen. It was also a Richard & Judy Best Picture Book Finalist 2007 and a Blue Peter Best Picture Book Finalist 2002.

HCG promises the new publishing programme will showcase Andreae and Parker-Rees’ modern classic in "a variety of fun new formats". These include: a slipcase board book (Giraffes Can't Dance: 20th Anniversary Board Book, out August 2018, £6.99); a "highly-collectable" slipcase hardback (Giraffes Can't Dance: 20th Anniversary Limited Edition, out October 2018, £14.99); an anniversary paperback with "super-shiny" cover (Giraffes Can't Dance: 20th Anniversary Paperback, out 2nd May 2019, £6.99); and sticker activity paperback, including maze and dot-the-dot activities, sticker puzzles and spot the difference games (Giraffes Can't Dance: Sticker Activity Book, out 13th June 2019, £4.99).

All publishing is to be supported by an extensive marketing and publicity campaign, including high-profile events, partnerships and media.