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Beijing Dandelion’s Dynamic Publishing Lineup for 2023
Beijing Dandelion is preparing for a bustling year, with an impressive 90 new titles slated for release. Among these, founder and editor-in-chief Sally Yan is particularly enthusiastic about two projects: a new volume in the Chinese Flagship Species series focusing on the black-necked crane, and a collection of psychological literature designed to assist older teenagers in navigating challenging emotions.
In the previous year, the publisher released 85 titles, achieving notable success with three original publications: Liu Haiqi’s Ping-pong Shouts, Gerelchimeg Blackcrane and Jiu Er’s The Elephant’s Journey, and Zhu Dake’s The Adventures of Yan series. The highlight was Zhu Yongxin’s I Love Mummy, I Love Daddy, which debuted at the 2024 Bologna Children’s Book Fair, followed by a copyright export signing event at the Beijing International Book Fair that marked its translations into 11 languages across eight countries. Additionally, the team translated popular titles such as The Magic School Bus series, Jakob Martin Strid’s The Incredible Story of the Giant Pear, and Nicholas Allan’s Where Willy Went.
According to Yan, diversity is a cornerstone of Beijing Dandelion’s publishing strategy. “Our upcoming titles this year cover a broad spectrum—from nature-focused books like the one on the black-necked crane to science and space subjects, especially within our 30-title Science Comics series by Liz Prince, Falynn Koch, Joe Flood, among others,” Yan stated. “We believe variety fuels engagement, and our goal is to introduce kids to a wealth of topics that keep them both entertained and eager to learn.”
In terms of distribution and marketing, Yan has initiated innovative approaches. In 2023, the publisher launched a Douyin account titled “Children’s Book Detective Yan Xiaoli,” initially focusing on short video content and transitioning to livestreaming in October. “This platform allows us to recommend our books directly to readers and connect with Key Opinion Consumers and Leaders. It also provides valuable firsthand feedback from our audience, which is essential for us in recognizing trends and refining our publishing strategy,” Yan explained.
Since its founding in December 2006, Beijing Dandelion has remained committed to its mission: publishing quality books for children, both original works and translations. “Our editorial team invests significant time and effort into refining each title,” Yan mentioned, revealing that some projects take as long as five years to develop before publication. “We prioritize a long-term perspective, aiming to sustain our reputation as a leading publishing house while ensuring our titles remain relevant. Although profitability is important, our primary focus is to provide children with excellent reading materials that foster a love of reading and lifelong learning.”
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A version of this article appeared in the 03/24/2025 issue of Publishers Weekly under the headline: Beijing Dandelion Children’s Book House
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