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The irresistible children’s character started life as a soft toy in the hugely popular picture book ‘Who Are You Stripy Horse?’ (Egmont, April 2007), created by author and illustrator team Jim Helmore and Karen Wall. Alicia Davenport, DRi Licensing’s Director said “This is an exciting development for both DRi and Stripy Horse and we are delighted to be representing this charming property.” With Rainbow Designs already on board as a plush and gift partner, DRi is expanding its licensing into the nursery and gift areas, as well as exploring television and entertainment opportunities. “Book sales of this modern-day classic are hugely successful and we are looking forward to helping the Stripy Horse property grow and flourish in new market sectors,” Alicia added. ‘Who Are You Stripy Horse?’ sold 25,000 copies in the first nine months of publication and Waterstones selected the book as its Picture Book of the Month in April 2007. Over the summer it was ‘a book at bedtime’ on CBeebies TV and Radio and the title picked up a prestigious Practical Parenting Silver Award. In the delightful storybook, Stripy Horse wakes up in a bric-a-brac shop and can’t remember his name. Together with a group of unlikely friends, including some salt and pepperpot penguins and a dachshund draught excluder, the stripy horse sets off to find out who he is. Karen’s training in toy design shines through in her beautiful illustrations and her use of bright poster paints on pastel collage and watercolour backgrounds, allow the characters to really jump off the page. This year looks set to be full of further publishing success for Stripy Horse as the book has been short-listed for the Dundee Picture Book Award. In July 2008, Egmont is publishing an audio version read by Imelda Staunton and in September, the sequel ‘Look Out Stripy Horse!’ will hit the shops. Stand by for monkey mayhem in the bric-a-brac shop! |
