| Aladdin Paperbacks | |
| Parent: | Simon & Schuster |
| Founder: | Jean E. Karl |
| Country: | United States |
| Headquarters: | New York City |
| Publications: | Books |
| Genre: | Children's literature |
| Owner: | Kohlberg Kravis Roberts |
Aladdin Paperbacks is one of several children's-book imprints owned by Simon & Schuster.[1] It was established by Jean E. Karl at Atheneum Books where she was the founding director of the children's department (1961). Atheneum merged with or was acquired by Scribner's in 1978, then Macmillan in 1984, before the acquisition by Simon & Schuster in 1994.
There may have been previous uses of 'Aladdin' as a brand name in the book industry.
Aladdin Paperbacks are aimed at readers aged 4 to 12 and most are reprints from other (hardcover) imprints, which include what Simon & Schuster term some of the most enduring children's books of the modern era. Its ranges include the "Ready-to-Read books," and the slightly older "Ready-for-Chapters" titles aimed at younger age-groups and beginners. Aladdin also publishes a "limited number" of original titles and series entries, across multiple genres including action, adventure, and relationships novels.[2]
The first children's book published by the dependent imprint seems to have been in 1967. Karl ran the Atheneum Books for Younger Readers, Aladdin, and Argo imprints until she retired in 1985.[3] [4] [5]
In October, 2002, Eloise Flood was appointed to the newly created position of "Vice President and Publisher" of Simon & Schuster's Children's Publishing Paperback Group, the role encompassing both the Aladdin Paperbacks and Simon Pulse imprints.[6] As of April, 2008, the current executives overseeing the entire Children's division currently include Rick Richter (President), Robin Corey, who holds the title of "Executive Vice President & Publisher, Novelty & Media Tie-Ins, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing," and Liesa Abrams, a Senior Editor.[2] [7]
Some works published in Aladdin editions, where dates are those of first publication, commonly in a hardcover edition under another imprint.
Arguably, Aladdin's (and parent Simon & Schuster's) best-known titles are the later (non-Grosset & Dunlap published) titles in several of the Hardy Boys (written under the pen name Franklin W. Dixon) and Nancy Drew (written under the name Carolyn Keene) series, including the original series and the more recent lines.