By Sadhana Bharanidharan and Cole Watson

WBD

German toyco Schleich is teaming up with WBD Global Consumer Products for a new collection of Harry Potter figurines that will be released globally in September 2023. It features a mix of main characters and fantastical creatures. The range targets kids ages nine to 12, as well as teen and adult fans of the Wizarding World. The so-called kidult demo has contributed significantly to toy industry sales in the past two years, according to research firm NPD.

Aardman

The UK studio has inked several new Wallace & Gromit licensing deals related to 1993 feature film Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers. They cover a themed escape room (Locked In A Room), clutch bags (Olympia Le-Tan) and an art exhibition at London’s Cartoon Museum. Aardman is also working on a new Wallace & Gromit movie that’s slated for a 2024 release on the BBC in the UK and on Netflix in all other regions.

Coolabi

The London-based company has locked down UK toy brand Rainbow Designs as a licensee for 1999 picture book Giraffes Can’t Dance (pictured), which is penned by author Giles Andreae and published by Orchard Books. Rainbow will launch a plush range based on the IP this fall in the UK, with a global rollout to follow in 2024. The consumer products program for Giraffes Can’t Dance already includes lines from partners MerryMakers and audio-based toyco tonies.

Macmillan Children’s Books

The kids imprint has secured a five-year publishing deal with Japanese toyco Epoch for its flagship doll brand Sylvanian Families. Since launching in 1985, more than 200 million dolls have sold through worldwide. Macmillan plans to launch its Sylvanian Families publishing program for preschoolers this fall, led by a Christmas dress-up sticker book and picture book The World of Sylvanian Families: The Official Guide. More titles in these formats are planned for 2024.