Penguin plans children's literature boost

Penguin is targeting significant growth in its children's division as the publisher aims to encourage more young people to read.

According to the company's UK chief executive officer Tom Weldon, books are not dying, but are adapting and innovating to suit modern tastes and requirements.

He told the Bookseller: 'Media is no longer about format, but content, and consumers want brands and experience. We are increasing significantly our investment in the children's area because parents don't stop spending on kids in a recession.'

Children's managing director Francesca Dow said the renewed focus on the children's division will include the launch of new literary apps for smartphones and tablets to offer additional engagement, as well as the reissuing of classic titles in new deluxe hardback formats.

She added that the organisation's main challenge is to be resourceful and creative – something it is being forced to do by its young audience.

'The challenge is to give them the best stories in engaging ways,' Ms Dow added, promising to release 'desirable physical editions' of titles including Frances Hodgson Burnett's The Secret Garden and Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfield.