Panini Launches Leo the Truck Books

“Leo the Truck” is an animated series by independent content producer Project First. The show captivates young audiences with Leo's intelligence and playful nature, bringing construction kits to life in each episode. By involving viewers in the process of assembling vehicles and devices, Leo encourages children to actively engage with the story, enhancing their spatial intelligence and attention to detail. With the help of his friends, Lifty the Loader and Scoop the Shovel, Leo’s adventures also foster problem-solving skills, making learning both fun and interactive.

The cartoon has been translated into 15 languages and has garnered 23 billion views on YouTube worldwide. Two seasons, comprising 130 episodes, are currently in rotation, with new episodes of Season 3 being released. Project First has also developed its own Leo the Truck apps, which have achieved 26 million downloads. Additionally, a number of live-action channels feature kids playing with toys and other Leo products, further expanding the Leo universe for young audiences.

“Leo the Truck” has achieved over 50% awareness and popularity among preschool children in Germany, Turkey, Brazil, and Mexico, and is now gaining traction in Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain. According to a 2023 study by Brand Trends, a leading market research agency, when aware of Leo, every second child becomes a fan.

“We are delighted to be able to expand our colorful license portfolio in the children’s book sector with Leo the Truck. Leo the Truck is aimed at girls and boys of kindergarten age, which is why we will initially start with bedtime stories. Leo has a very large fan base on YouTube, and we are convinced that the little truck and his adventures will also be a hit as a book. Leo simply fits perfectly into our children’s book program,” says Gabriele El Hag, Senior Publishing Director at Panini Publishing House.

Panini Verlags GmbH is the German subsidiary of the Panini Group, which was founded in 1961 and is based in Modena, Italy. The Panini Group is the world’s largest publisher of collectible products. The company employs more than 1,200 people across 12 subsidiaries and operates in over 130 countries. In Germany, Panini publishes 180 books, 750 comics, 50 magazine titles, and 50 collectible product lines (stickers, trading cards, etc.) annually.

“We are happy and proud that our German fans, who frequently ask where to buy products featuring Leo, now have the chance to purchase high-quality books produced by such a prominent publisher as Panini,” says Vladimir Nabatov, Business Development Director at Project First. “Leo has enjoyed huge success on our German YouTube channels as well as on Amazon Germany, and we are excited to expand our licensing program to meet demand.”

As Project First also runs live-action channels for preschool kids, the Panini book of Leo the Truck bedtime stories has been featured in several videos, collectively reaching 100,000 views within three months.

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