From "this rather vague idea," Grosset & Dunlap was born, first rebinding and selling popular novels of the day at fifty cents a copy, and then, with the purchase of the renowned Stratemeyer Syndicate (currently owned by Simon & Schuster), publishing Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, the Bobbsey Twins, and other tremendously successful children's series. These were probably the first mass-market series for children, and a walk into any bookstore today proves the vision of Mr. Dunlap and Mr. Grosset; the books are still widely purchased and read by young people today.

Grosset & Dunlap was in the forefront of publishing books derived from what Mr. Dunlap referred to as "the moving picture," and today Grosset still publishes movie tie-in titles. In the 1960s picture books by well-known artist Gyo Fujikawa broke new ground, being among the first to show babies and small children of different races.

The acquisition of Platt and Munk in 1977 brought to the house an icon of American culture, The Little Engine That Could. The original hardcover book still sells more than 180,000 copies a year. And from that single title, the little blue engine has developed into a program of mass market books in a variety of formats - cloth, lift-the-flap, pop-up, board books, and more.

In 1982, Grosset & Dunlap was bought by G. P. Putnam's Sons (later known as The Putnam Berkley Group), which merged with Penguin USA in 1996 to become Penguin Putnam. One of several imprints among the Books for Young Readers division, Grosset remains a mass-market publisher of children's books, issuing approximately 260-300 new titles a year.

Since the 1940s, in addition to the original Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series, Grosset has published the Illustrated Junior Library. This collection of hardcover editions of Little Women, Tom Sawyer, and more than twenty other classics is a mainstay of practically every bookstore selling children's books.

Grosset & Dunlap focuses on licensing properties, original paperback series and capitalizing on successful in-house brands such as The Little Engine That Could. Grosset’s many book lines, including the All Aboard Reading series of leveled paperpack readers, 8x8s paperback storybooks and sticker storybooks still continue to sell extremely well.

Successful licensing programs include: Strawberry Shortcake, Angelina Ballerina, Dick and Jane, Charlie and Lola, Miss Spider, Sonic X.

Successful original series include: Katie Kazoo, Switcheroo; Hank Zipzer; Who Was...?; Camp Confidential; Flirt; Dragon Slayers Academy.

Among our novelty series are Sticker Stories, Jewel Sticker Stories, Tattoo Books, and Sticker Styles.

Our commitment to children and reading is stronger than ever, and we will continue to publish books with high interest and affordable pricing which will entice even the most reluctant reader.

Debra Dorfman, President and Publisher

Prior to joining Grosset & Dunlap, Debra was Director of Editorial Administration at Scholastic Inc. in the Book Club division. Her career at Scholastic spanned over 12 years during which time she held various creative marketing and management positions.