WORTHY PUBLIHING ACQUIRES IDEALS CHILDREN'S BOOKS

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn., October 10, 2014 – The Worthy Publishing Group is pleased to announce its acquisition of the Ideals children’s book brand and product lines. Ideals is a children’s category-leader previously owned by Danbury, Connecticut-based Guideposts, which was founded by Norman Vincent Peale and publishes Guideposts and Ideals magazines.

 

Ideals is a 50-year-old company with offices in Nashville, TN. It publishes 25 to 30 books each year, including picture books, board books, and novelty and sound books. The Ideals picture book The Sparkle Box won the 2014 ECPA Christian Book Award for children’s books. Holiday board books from Ideals regularly rank at the top of Nielsen BookScan charts each year. With this transaction, Worthy gains access to licenses for VeggieTales with DreamWorks Animation, as well as with Warner Brothers, and for the Berenstain Bears.

 

“My roots in children’s books are more than two decades deep, having launched WordKids, Tommy Nelson, and now WorthyKids,” said Byron Williamson, President and Publisher at Worthy. “I got my start in children’s publishing with the conception and development of the International Children’s Bible (ICB). Worthy is excited to welcome the Ideals team into the Worthy family, effective immediately.”

 

Connecting the Ideals brand and product line with WorthyKids brings about the return of longtime friend and former associate Dale Wilstermann, who will continue serving as Vice President of Sales at Ideals/WorthyKids. Peggy Schaefer, a gifted children’s specialist serving as Vice President, Associate Publisher, will continue to lead the product development team.

 

In only its third year in commerce, Worthy’s growth takes a significant step forward with the addition of Ideals. It joins Worthy’s already successful trade book, Bible, and premium journal and gift book businesses. During 2014 Worthy’s New York Times bestseller Four Blood Moons by John Hagee and the Jeremiah Study Bible by Dr. David Jeremiah are each category leaders at such retailers as Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Family Christian Stores, and LifeWay Stores.

 

Worthy Publishing Group (www.worthypublishing. com) is a three-year-old, privately held, independent voice in inspirational publishing based in Nashville, Tennessee.