Penguin serves up healthy eating project

Publisher Penguin Children’s has acquired global intellectual property rights to preschool brand Ollie: The Boy Who Became What He Ate, including film and TV.

The book follows a boy with fussy eating habits who has the ability to transform into the food he has just eaten. It is intended to encourage healthy diets and was introduced via UK schools and nurseries last month in educational packs.

Penguin plans to release an Ollie storybook app in the first quarter of next year, following the deal with creator Storycake.

In July, the publisher promoted its director of media and entertainment, Eric Huang, to director of new business and IP acquisitions, as part of a content creation push.

Huang said of the latest pick-up: “The adventures that Ollie experiences are really funny and a bit mad. I’m sure he will entertain preschoolers and adults alike.”

Ollie is the latest in a line of recent acquisitions by Penguin that includes Hattie B, Magical Vet, Whale Trail, Moshi Monsters and Skylanders.