In an effort to expand its existing publishing partnership and grow the CP program of the latest incarnation of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and girls-skewing Winx Club, Random House Children’s Books has been tapped as Nickelodeon’s master publishing licensee, taking over from long-time Nick licensee Simon & Schuster.

Starting in spring 2013, Nick’s publishing program with Random House expands into new formats (hardcover, paperback, picture books, storybooks, leveled readers, chapter books, junior novels and board books).

Random House VP, editor-in-chief, and executive director of licensed publishing Chris Angelilli will be responsible for overseeing the Nick publishing program, and Random House plans to publish brand new items around Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Winx Club in fall 2012.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles books were originally published by Random House in the 1980s and the property continues its rebirth with a new CG-animated series currently in production at the Nick Animation Studios and set for release in 2012.

Books are also planned for Italian import Winx Club, Nick’s first ever girl-targeted animated series.

Random House will also continue to publish coloring, activity and Little Golden Book titles based on hit Nickelodeon properties including SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Team Umizoomi, and Bubble Guppies.