Penguin Random House Wins Book of the Year at 2020 Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIAs)

It is the first time in the history of the ABIAs that a children’s picture book has won this prestigious award. Bluey: The Beach also took home Children’s Picture Book of the Year (Ages 0 - 6). Hosted online this year, the ABIAs celebrate the achievements of authors and publishers in bringing Australian books to readers.

Julie Burland, CEO Penguin Random House Australia, said: ‘We are so thrilled with this award and I want to thank Ludo Studio, BBC Studios, everyone at Penguin Random House who worked so hard to make these books a success and most of all, the booksellers, who embraced Bluey and our publishing vision from the start. Go Bluey!’

Penguin Random House Australia with BBC Studios and Ludo Studio announced the Bluey publishing deal in April 2019. Three Bluey books, including two story books and one activity book hit Australian stores before Christmas of the same year and sales have been phenomenal with Bluey: The Beach selling over 200,000 copies since its release. There are now seven Bluey books, and sales across the series are about to hit 1 million copies. Bluey: The Beach spent 4 weeks at #1 on Bookscan, and spent 17 weeks in the top 10 on Bookscan.

Holly Toohey, Head of Brands Partnerships and Audio, Bluey’s Publisher, Penguin Random House Australia, said: “We knew the Bluey books needed to find ways to translate the sound, movement, humour and heart of the show into a static format – to deliver a reading experience that wasn’t a carbon copy of the episodes. We selected The Beach as it gave us the ability to dive deeper into Bluey’s journey of self-discovery – pulling out key moments of struggle and growth. And of course, The Beach was the perfect title to launch with as we headed into the Australian summer. It’s been an honour to be part of the Bluey phenomenon and see the books find their place, alongside the show, in the homes and hearts of so many children – and parents!”

ABC Kids’ Bluey is Australia’s most popular children’s television show about a family of Aussie heelers. Produced by Brisbane-based Ludo Studio, it recently won an International Emmy Kids Award celebrating the world’s best content for young viewers. It’s the most-watched program in the history of ABC iview, has won a Logie award, AACTA award and two Screen Producers Australia awards, and now, to add to that impressive list of accolades, the awards have begun in another sphere altogether, publishing.

Penguin Random House would like to thank the Australian Book Industry, booksellers, retailers and families around Australia for their ongoing support of Bluey books.

Bluey is produced by the Emmy® award-winning Ludo Studio for ABC KIDS and is co-commissioned by ABC Children’s and BBC Studios. Both series received production support from the Australian Government through Screen Australia, and Queensland Government through Screen Queensland.

For any media inquiries contact: Tina Gumnior, Publicity Manager, Young Readers, mob: 0419 329 466 e: tgumnior@penguinrandomhouse.com.au

The following people are available for comment/interview:
Julie Burland, CEO PRH Australia
Holly Toohey, Head of Brands Partnerships and Audio, Bluey’s Publisher, PRH Australia