CGI-animated preschool series Olly The Little White Van (52 x five minutes) is shifting gears into the publishing space thanks to a new multi-year deal by London, England-based Rocket Licensing and Autumn Publishing, a division of Bonnier Publishing.

The deal for the series that airs on CiTV,  co-produced by UK-based Ideas at Work and Blink Animation Studios, includes 12 books in four formats – chunky board books, sound books, story books and activity books – which will be available at small and large department stores, supermarkets, as well as online by September 2012.

The chunky board books will target Olly’s youngest readers and will feature characters Olly, Bazza, Tasha and Ivan the ice cream van as they help each other solve problems. Two sound books for this group will also be published.

Olly Tales will be published for the older set and include four 24-page paperback storybooks and two 32-page activity books featuring puzzles, stickers and press-outs.

The deal adds to the rapid expansion of the brand. Episodes 27 to 52 will air this year as part of a five-year deal with CiTV, manufacturer Hornby joined as master toy partner last year, and Abbey Home Media has DVD rights. Additional licensing plans are in the works for games, puzzles, gifts, homeware, nightware and apparel.