Tiny T. Rex and the Not possible Hug, written by Jonathan Stutzman and illustrated by Jay Fleck, was an instantaneous hit when printed by Chronicle Books in March 2019. 5 years later, Chronicle is pairing with its company sibling, Galison Mudpuppy, to increase the property into the primary non-book merchandise primarily based on the character, which debut at retail this week.
“After I began at Chronicle a few 12 months in the past, we recognized Tiny T. Rex as a blockbuster within the making,” says Jody Mosley, govt publishing director for kids’s publishing at Chronicle. “Tiny is so relatable and lovable. He’s the right stand-in for a small baby, who can relate to his struggles in a world the place all the things is just too massive and he’s making an attempt, and failing, and asking for assist. He has grit and power of character. And the artwork is simply so cute.”
Invoice Miller, Galison’s president, famous that Tiny T. Rex cowl artwork is ideal for puzzles and different reward objects. “Once we search for alternatives to increase manufacturers past books, it’s actually rooted within the artwork and design,” he stated. “We’ve collaborated with Jody’s crew on manufacturers like Goodnight, Goodnight, Building Web site, and this is a chance to construct on the success of that.”
Galison, which, like Chronicle, is a part of the McEvoy Group and is co-located in Chronicle’s New York workplace, makes a speciality of high-quality presents. It markets toys, puzzles, and video games for kids beneath the Mudpuppy model. Miller and Mosley sit subsequent to one another within the workplace, making it straightforward to debate potential synergies.
The primary Tiny T. Rex merchandise from Galison Mudpuppy are a 48-piece puzzle for ages three and up and a magnetic play set for ages 4 and up, each that includes Fleck’s cowl picture from the primary image e book. Chronicle additionally has an present relationship with Merrymakers, which gives plush together with a Tiny T. Rex doll, a large Tiny determine, a pair that includes Tiny and his buddy Pointy, and a backpack pull.
Mosley famous that the non-book merchandise give booksellers the flexibility to carry all of the objects collectively on a desk or have merchandise merchandised all through the aisles. “Shoppers can see Tiny’s face in other places within the retailer. If their baby has the e book and so they see the puzzle, they know that’s the subsequent factor they want. The merchandise give the readers extra methods to work together with the character.”
“From the shopper standpoint, numerous it’s gift-giving,” Miller added. “The e book, the plush, the puzzles, and the playset make an ideal reward that tells the entire story.” There’s additionally a chance to develop the presence of Tiny T. Rex into particular markets, Miller stated, noting that he’s pitching the property on the Atlanta Winter Market, a key gift-industry commerce present, this week.
In the meantime, Barnes & Noble chosen Tiny T. Rex and the Not possible Hug as its purchase-with-purchase Valentine’s promotion, working by means of February 14, by which shoppers should purchase a particular version of the e book for $9.99 with the acquisition of another e book. The retailer can also be showcasing Tiny T. Rex on its partitions of beloved characters in some shops which can be opening in 2025. “We’re excited Barnes & Noble is supporting Tiny,” Mosley stated. “Their enthusiasm and assist actually lifts the model.”
The discharge of the brand new model extensions shall be adopted by the publication of the fourth image e book, Tiny T. Rex and the First-Day Oopsies, a back-to-school title with an on-sale date of July 15, 2025. Different image books within the sequence embody Tiny T. Rex and the Very Darkish Darkish (2020) and Tiny T. Rex and the Grand Ta-Da! (2023). There have additionally been two seasonal board books, Tiny T. Rex and the Excellent Valentine (2020) and Tiny T. Rex and the Methods of Treating (2021). Three extra books are deliberate for 2026, together with a vacation title, with further books—some in new codecs and worth factors—beneath dialogue for the longer term. Extra non-book merchandise from Galison Mudpuppy are into account as properly.
Tiny T. Rex books have collectively offered greater than 750,000 copies since 2019, and Tiny T. Rex and the Not possible Hug reached #2 on the January 19 New York Occasions youngsters’s image e book bestseller listing. Twelve companions are on board for foreign-language editions thus far.
