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IRISH DOLL-MAKER Arklu has signed a publishing deal with children’s books giant Penguin, which has worked with authors such as famed novelist Roald Dahl.
The Donegal-based firm created Lottie in 2012, a doll that was intended to look and take part in activities like a real child.
Since its launch, the doll has grown in popularity, selling more than half a million figurines and accessories, and is now set to be the subject of several Penguin books.
The two companies have agreed a three-year publishing contract. The first books to be released under the partnership are due to launch in May 2017.
The company said that the books will be an extension of the ‘Lottie, Finn and friends collection’, and will follow the adventures of three nine-year old friends as they navigate family, friendship and childhood.
Launch
Two books will be published, one a fiction title for young readers, and one a sticker dressing-up book, which will be focused on stargazing and space.
A further two titles, one fiction and one activity book, will then follow in September 2017.
The books will be part of Penguin’s Puffin collection for children. Penguin has worked with several of the best-known children’s authors including Roald Dahl, whose books include The BFG and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Jeff Kinney, who wrote Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
A spokeswoman for Arklu said that final details of the launch, such as how many shops the books will be available in, are still under discussion.
However, she added: “It is an international contract. The dolls are sold in 30 countries and we would hope that the books will follow suit.”
Arklu managing director Ian Harkin said that following the deal the firm will be “introducing almost 20 new products in 2017 including playsets, storage units, playmats and buildings for the first time”.
“Being based on a child is what makes Lottie and Finn unique, taking kids on adventures as opposed to performing adult activities or careers. The books complement this – like Lottie they will be real characters just like the kids themselves.”
Startup winner
Leanne Gill, the publisher of licensed properties at Penguin Random House Children’s, said that the company is “delighted to be the publishing partner for Lottie Dolls”.
Arklu was also recently selected by Google as the winner of its latest Adopt a Startup programme for Ireland - a prize which includes thousands of euro in free credit for the tech giant’s services.
Speaking at the time, Harkin told Fora the company also has plans to unveil an app, which was part of work it did with Google.
Written by Paul O’Donoghue and posted on Fora.ie
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Would you like to dance ?
No.
Sorry I think you misheard me I said your arse looks fat in that dress……….
Irish women know that most Irish men are lacking somewhat when it comes to pleasing them so they have to be more picky.
From the man’s point – its the female’s apparent hatred of hygiene. Wearing purple and pink – and thinking that Bono is cool.
And saying – I have to be up for mass tomorrow……
@Will. I’m not inclined to believe anybody that especially the hygiene bit…
Hi show us your tits.
Any of…
You are such a troll
Had a woman tell me one night, in coppers no less ” get away outta that there’s a smell of bengy off ye” that was about 15 years ago and I still have no idea what bengy is… It was Lynx Africa I told her!!
Benjy was a character in The Riordans, they were farmers, just in case you are serious.
This was a Zig and Zag joke for years. It’s a reference to Benjy from the Riordans many years ago.
GET IN THE VAN NOW! usually works
I’m Jimmy Saville works as good as that?
Can’t beat the chase of the Irish girls … the rejection. Great craic!
There are lines other than “will ya meet me mate over there?”?? huh…
I’ve lived in a few countries and Dublin women are definitely the most obnoxious and stuck up. I’ve seen a lot of my mates (no they weren’t hammered) get laughed at/told to p off by groups of very average looking women when they could have had a bit of banter or politely decline.
Thankfully I’ve never suffered it myself as I’m deadly looking but Dublin girls really need to up their game. Poland and Czech Republic have the hottest and least up themselves women. Great combo.
I love Irish men, once I get chatting to them that is, but in a nightclub Irish men can be aggressive messes (drunk, leering and just grab you) and at this point you just want to get away!
Honestly some nights the only thing you want to do is chat to your mates, have a few drinks and dance without anyone bothering you.
Also no one has brought this up but groping? How many women have been groped simply as a come on as they move through a night club or the dance floor? Not so much in Dublin but down the country! New Years Eve in Carlow was traumatic.
Headed out sat night, need to find my stick. I’ll be beating them off all night
They will probably have their own sticks……and dogs :)
My favourite chat-up line is Jimmy Carr’s “can you hold my pint while I go for a sh!t” or “here, does this rag smell like Rohypnol?”
Do you grass?
No!
Your the first cow I met that doesn’t
No woman likes a man who is hammered off his face. …. and they tend to be just that on a night out. Most chat up lines are either immensely cheesy, which is a pukefest, or immenseley vulgar… same outcome! If a guy stayed half sober I imagine he’d get a lot further :)
That may just be the ones I have come across, of course :)
Two simple steps to make sure you are never ever rejected by Mrs Shalakalananaka-
1. Ask the DJ to put on YMCA
2. Stand in front of her and dance to the whole song
Alternatively, be Benedict Cumberbatch, but my 2 step programme works as well too.
Will ya have a dance?
WHA?
Sorry, I think you misheard. I said you look fat in those pants.
Al, beat you too it ;)
You remind me of a movie star…..Mickey Rooney
Ask me sister I’m sweatin
You hav to do the Carlton from fresh prince, approach them like.. haaaaayyy..!! Then do the shuffle..
Jerseys and bad breath,no thanks
And that’s just the women…
Would you like to marry me?
I’d rather have a frontal lobotomy, a week in Cork – and three of my arms severed by a werewolf from Balinrobe….,…
Nothing has changed since the 60′s so!
Any women who spend the first 17-18 years of their lives in a convent are bound to hold certain prejudices. But because it’s so common in Ireland it’s often overlooked.
That’s a very 20th century point of view.
I’d always be up for a bit of banter because some guys can be very funny with their chat up lines. There was an awkward moment where a guy sidled up and attempted flirtation while the husband was standing beside me. We all had a laugh about it and chatted throughout the night. If a guy chances his arm and keeps it respectful, don’t tell him to F off, take it as a compliment and if you’re not interested don’t be a cow about it. I don’t like when a guy gets aggressive or messy and then threatening and abusive when you decline his sweaty, groping advances.
Your eyes are like spanners love, every time I look into them they tighten my nuts…..
Does this rag smell like chloroform to you?
Rohypnol you mean?
This site seems to really hate any form humour??? But they seem to back the clowns in government without knowing “taylor rules” within the E.U. structure for here?
Does this skirt make me look fat, no dear it is just the fat?
In ireland its always the pub,if you see a woman you like on wednesday at the petrol pumps ask her out,women arent always in the pub to meet men,they go out sometimes to just dance and dont want a man
“Me friend wants to know will you go with me” ah the innocence!
Because they are rotten with drink or have small wallets lol.
Eat grass
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