Preschool animation series Brave Bunnies scores Italian book deal

Italian publisher DeA Planeta Libri, a subsidiary of Grupo Planeta and DeAgostini, has become the first company in the Italian market to publish books based on the popular kids’ series Brave Bunnies, produced by Ukrainian production team Glowberry. The deal was arranged by KidsMe, the distributor and agent for Brave Bunnies in Italy.

The book collection includes sticker books Amici Incredibili (Incredible Friends) and In Giro per il Mondo (Around the World), as well as hardcover books Eroi Controvento (Brave Heroes), Strisce da Esploratore (Hidden Treasure), and Pulizia Cosmica (A Great Mess).

In October, DeA Planeta Libri launched the books in leading book chains across 800 stores nationwide, as well as on online platforms. Besides dedicated book stores, the books are available in over 300 mass-market outlets across Italy.

Olga Cherepanova, originator of the Brave Bunnies concept and Creative Producer of the series, says: “The first release of books based on Brave Bunnies is a major event for the series team. It’s another step toward building a fully fledged universe around the Brave Bunnies series and its characters. Each new viewer of the series is motivating and inspiring us to go forward. That’s why we are always excited to gain new fans and connect with the established fanbase in a new way — through print media.

“We are proud to work with the talented team of KidsMe and DeA Planeta Libri, the undisputed market leader.”

KidsMe became Glowberry’s first partner and paved the way for the worldwide distribution of the project, which has included a global toy contract with toy company Spin Master, a deal with publisher Penguin Random House, and more.

Brenda Maffuchi, Chief of Co-Productions, Licensing and Sales Officer at KidsMe says: “We are very happy to have confirmed this first license for Brave Bunnies in Italy. It will be the first of many licenses and contracts we are working on in the Italian market. We are hoping to confirm these agreements very soon because we know that Brave Bunnies is an IP with great potential and we can’t wait to see the brand’s products in the Italian market.”

In Italy, BRAVE BUNNIES premiered this spring on RAIYoYo. The series first aired on the streaming service Rai Play and began airing on Rai YoYo nationwide on April 19.

Aimed at preschool kids and based on an original idea by Olga Cherepanova, Brave Bunnies is co-created with Spanish animation studio Ánima and is distributed internationally by Aardman Animations.