PRH acquires Cherry Lake: what readers and libraries should expect

Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House, announced an agreement to acquire Cherry Lake Publishing Group on 11 November 2025. The deal adds approximately 6,000 children’s titles across trade, library, and educational markets. Cherry Lake will continue to operate from Ann Arbor under the presidency of Ben Mondloch. Editorial independence remains in place.

Who does Cherry Lake serve

Cherry Lake Publishing Group comprises six imprints, each with a distinct focus on young readers.

• Sleeping Bear Press, award-winning picture books and middle grade.

• Cherry Lake Press and Cherry Blossom Press, classroom nonfiction and early literacy.

• 45th Parallel Press, curriculum-aligned nonfiction for upper elementary and middle school.

• Torch Graphic Press, graphic nonfiction for visual learners.

• Tilbury House Publishers, nature and social themes with strong backmatter.

Why this matters to readers

Expect wider availability of popular backlist titles across major retailers, faster reprints during peak seasons, and broader reach for ebooks and audiobooks through PRH distribution. Discoverability improves when metadata, series pages, and retailer carousels are refreshed. Readers who follow Sleeping Bear Press for read-aloud favorites can expect to see more consistent stock, as well as potential audio adaptations of top picture books and middle-grade hits.

Why this matters to parents, teachers, and librarians

PRH scale often improves fill rates and reduces ordering friction. School and library wholesalers will receive more consistent metadata, updated educator guides, and more precise series segmentation. Expect stronger seasonal promotions for early literacy sets, STEM nonfiction, and graphic nonfiction, specifically designed for projects and book reports.

What stays the same

• Leadership and location remain in Ann Arbor under Ben Mondloch.

• Imprint identities continue, including Sleeping Bear Press and Tilbury House.

• Editorial focus stays on classroom-friendly nonfiction, picture books with strong read-aloud appeal, and middle grade with curriculum ties.

Short-term effects to watch

• Backlist lift. Perennial picture books and series nonfiction should gain front-of-store placement online and in physical retail.

• Format expansion. More audio and digital editions often follow PRH integrations, especially for holiday and summer reading campaigns.

• Data hygiene. Cleaner product pages, standardized series naming, and updated keywords improve search on retailer sites.

Recommendations for readers discovering these imprints

• Storytime picks. Start with Sleeping Bear Press picture books known for cadence, humor, and illustrator-driven charm.

• Grades 2–5. Explore Cherry Blossom Press and Cherry Lake Press for short texts with strong visuals and reliable backmatter.

• Grades 5–8. Look for the 45th Parallel Press series, aligned to science and social studies, as well as Torch Graphic Press for visual learners.

• Family and classroom values. Browse Tilbury House for nature, community, and diversity themes.

What authors and illustrators should know?

Statements emphasize continuity. In practical terms, creators gain access to PRH sales, marketing, audio, and international rights teams. Special markets, such as school book fairs, indie bookstore campaigns, and educator conferences, often see stronger placement once a list joins PRH's pipelines.

Action list for librarians this week

• Run a quick shelf and catalog audit for the high-circulation Cherry Lake series. Queue replacements or duplicates before winter demand.

• Update vendor notes to route Cherry Lake orders through Random House Children’s Books once systems switch over.

• Identify top-circulating picture books and middle-grade titles for potential audio additions, then plan holds based on likely new editions.

Action list for educators this week

• Refresh lesson plans using series with standards alignment from Cherry Lake Press and 45th Parallel Press.

• Flag titles with clear text features, glossaries, timelines, and project prompts for report season.

• Bookmark imprint pages for quarterly checks, since PRH updates often add new guides and classroom materials.

Context on the broader market

PRH continues to make selective acquisitions that extend its reach in the children’s and education segments. Cherry Lake offers a rich backlist for classrooms and libraries, while PRH provides distribution, audio, and a global scale. Readers gain easier access. Institutions gain simpler ordering and more reliable stock.