LICENSING NEWS

Rainbow Designs announces three new licences for 2023

Published on: 21st November 2022

Rainbow Designs is delighted to announce Maisy, Bagpuss and Giraffes Can’t Dance will join its extensive classic character portfolio. 

For over 50 years, Rainbow Designs has been creating high quality, forever toys, inspired by the much-loved characters from children’s literature, for babies and children of all ages, promoting bedtime cuddles and stories, and providing fun, comfort and sensory learning.

Anthony Temple, managing director of Rainbow Designs, understands how these unique and much-loved characters, from these heart-felt children’s stories translate beautifully into toys. “The stories of all of these playful characters resonate with parents and grandparents, sparking memories from their own childhoods that they long to share with the next generation,” he explained. “At Rainbow, we bring the story to life, taking the two dimensional character from the pages of the book and giving the child a tangible, soft and cuddly version of their much loved friend.”

“Storytime, whether it is part of a day time or bedtime routine, provides a special parent, or grandparent, and child moment. It supports valuable bonding time, promotes the love of stories, which sparks imaginations and encourages that all important cuddle, providing much needed security,” added Anthony.

The initial range for each of these literacy licences will feature soft toys of the main characters.

Maisy, written by Lucy Cousins and first published in 1999, Is a series of books with vibrant bold, colourful illustrations with a thick outline making her instantly recognisable. The stories are based on children’s first experiences.

Giraffes Can’t Dance from author Giles Andreae and illustrator Guy Parker-Rees was first published in 1999 by Hachette Children’s Group and is licensed by Coolabi. This funny, touching and triumphant picture book about a giraffe who finds his own tune and confidence has been delighting children for over 20 years.

The oldest of the new licences is Bagpuss, written in 1974 by Peter Firmin and Oliver Postgate. The story is about Bagpuss ‘a saggy, old cloth cat, baggy, and a bit loose at the seams’ and his friends who come to life.

“We are delighted to welcome these licences to our Rainbow portfolio. They bring the values and qualities of those much-loved heritage characters, that are loved by generations and will be a great addition to our family of classic characters,” concluded Anthony.

Rainbow’s licensed portfolio and collections include: Paddington Bear and the New Paddington TV Adventures, Peter Rabbit, Disney’s Winnie the Pooh, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Guess How Much I Love You, Elmer, Spot the Dog, Snoopy, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and The Snowman and The Snowdog ranges.

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