The folks at Chicken Soup for the Soul LLC will be bringing their positive message to kids, in a new joint venture with children’s book publisher Charlesbridge, launching this fall.
The companies say two new lines of books, Chicken Soup for the Soul BABIES (for ages 0-3) and Chicken Soup for the Soul KIDS (for ages 4-7), will focus on childhood social and emotional well-being through the lens of heartwarming and humorous stories.
“We’re very excited to partner with Chicken Soup for the Soul,” said Monica Perez, editor at Charlesbridge. “Our books mirror the same kind of inspirational stories that this trusted book brand is known for, and we intend for our new line of Chicken Soup for the Soul KIDS and BABIES books to entertain as well as inform.”
The first four books in the program will debut Sept. 21 and will include two Chicken Soup for the Soul KIDS hardcover picture books and two Chicken Soup for the Soul BABIES board books. They include:
- For KIDS: The Sunshine Squad: Discovering What Makes You Special and Sophie and the Tiny Dognapping: A Book About Doing the Right Thing, written by Jamie White and illustrated by Lorian Tu
- For BABIES: Everyone Shares (Except Cat) and Everyone Says Please (Except Cat), written by Jamie White and Illustrated by Katie Mazeika
“Our mission to create lifelong readers and learners dovetails perfectly with the Chicken Soup for the Soul vision of making the world a better place one story at a time,” said Yolanda Scott, publisher at Charlesbridge. “Today’s parents grew up with the original series, and we look forward to bringing Chicken Soup for the Soul’s positive and inclusive storytelling to the next generation.”
Additional titles will follow seasonally through 2022. Each picture book includes an excerpt from an original Chicken Soup for the Soul book and fun activities related to the topic. The board books include tips for parents of toddlers. While Chicken Soup for the Soul LLC is widely known for the international bestsellers Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul, Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul, and Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul, this new program marks the first time the Chicken Soup for the Soul brand has developed books for younger readers.
“When we decided it was time to work with a children’s publisher, Charlesbridge was my first choice,” said Amy Newmark, editor-in-chief and publisher, Chicken Soup for the Soul. “I’m thrilled with the first books in the Chicken Soup for the Soul KIDS and BABIES series. They impart values in such a delightful way. How great is it that kids will be amused and entertained while they absorb the life lessons their parents and grandparents want to share with them!”
Chicken Soup for the Soul publishes the famous Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. With well over 100 million books sold to date in the U.S. and Canada, more than 250 titles, and translations into more than 40 languages, the phrase “chicken soup for the soul” is known worldwide and is regularly referenced in pop culture.
However, this is the brand’s first foray into the world of children’s publishing.