Random House Books is an American-based book publisher and the largest general-interest paperback publisher in the world. Founded in 1927 by Bennett Cerf and Donald Klopfer and purchased in 1998 by by German media conglomerate Bertelsmann, as of 2013 it is a part of Penguin Random House after the two publishers merged.
Random House also owns DK Publishing, another publisher of American Girl books, and Listening Library, an imprint of the Random House Audio Publishing Group that is the world's largest audiobook publisher of children's and young adult literature.
In relation to American Girl[]
In 2021, American Girl and Random House announced a collaboration of books focusing on the Historical Characters as part of the 35th Anniversary Celebration and continuing beyond 2021. The books are simplified versions or variations of stories in the Central Series.
In 2022, through Listening Library, American Girl announced the release of multiple books through audiobooks, starting in June 2022. Books will be from various American Girl publications, with the following categories announced so far:
- Historical Characters (including books released by Random House and Central Series books)
- Girls of the Year (such as Corrine)
- World by Us
- WellieWishers
- non-fiction books such as The Care and Keeping of You.
Random House American Girl Publications[]
Step Into Reading[]
Step Into Reading books are illustrated children's books--fiction and non fiction, including licensed characters--that are part of a leveled reader program for pre-, beginning, and early to mid-elementary readers with steps ranging from Steps One to Five to facilitate reading proficiency. Suggested grade levels and Fountas and Pinnell Text Levels give additional guidance for selecting good level books for children to minimize frustration.
American Girl focused books in the series are categorized as "Step Three - Reading on Your Own", which are aimed at children in average US Grades 1-3 or ages five to eight who are ready to start becoming independent readers (rather than being read to or with an adult's help). Books are less than fifty pages long and include more challenging vocabulary words and concepts than the previous level.
With the American Girl books, these retell a story for a for a specific Historical Character with stories taken from the Central Series, either covering a full volume or an individual story.
American Girl focused titles include:
- Samantha Helps a Friend
- Freedom for Addy
- Molly's Christmas Surprise
- Melody Lifts Her Voice
- Kaya Rides to the Rescue
- Claudie Finds Her Talent
The first five books are also bundled into the collection American Girl: Stories of Bravery!
Little Golden Books[]
Little Golden Books are a series of children's books started in 1942 with a twelve-book series and purchased as a brand in 2001 by Random House. Little Golden Books have a distinctive look: they are are small, golden-spined, squarish, and due to length and design are of relatively low cost compared to the average children's book and often easy readers with titles aimed at ages as low as two years. Topics include both fiction and non-fiction including biographies, educational books, and multiple licensed character books. The eighth book in the first twelve books ever released, The Poky Little Puppy, is the top-selling children's book of all time.
With the American Girl books, these mention multiple Historical Characters according to the theme of the book, generally as their events are seen in their Central Series; each character receives two pages of light focus, with up to ten characters per book.[1]
American Girl focused titles include:
- Happy Birthday! American Girl
- Happy Holidays! American Girl
- Making a Difference! American Girl
- Time for School! American Girl
- Grandmas Are the Best! American Girl
The five books are also bundled into a five book collection.
Links[]
References[]
- ↑ Making a Difference and Grandmas Are the Best! gave each included character four pages, but reduced characters seen to five.