Scholastic feathers its nest with Chicken House

Building on a winning streak will be Scholastic’s goal as it integrates its latest acquisition, indie Brit publisher Chicken House, into its Children’s Trade Book division. Founded in 2000 by Barry Cunningham (who is famous for signing J.K. Rowling while working for Bloomsbury), Chicken House inked a distribution deal with Scholastic in ’01 to get its books out in the U.S., Canada and Australia. The company’s stable of talent includes Cornelia Funke, author of New York Times bestsellers Inkheart, The Thief Lord and Dragon Rider, which have sold more than 2.6 million copies to date. Scholastic plans to turn Chicken House into a new imprint that will continue to operate from its headquarters in Somerset, England.

Barbie goes high fashion with Benetton

Mattel has teamed up with Italian apparel manufacturer Benetton Group to create a line of aspirational fashions for tween girls under the banner ‘Barbie loves Benetton.’ The range will include more than 50 garments and accessories divided into four looks inspired by the world’s fashion capitals. London and Paris collections will hit United Colors of Benetton stores in September, with New York and Stockholm following in October. Then in December, the line will welcome a special holiday-themed clothing collection.

Mattel also plans to release special-edition ‘Barbie loves Benetton’ dolls, which will be available alongside the fashion line in Benetton stores as well as at mass toy retailers. The two companies have agreed to continue the partnership until at least December 2006.