February 25, 2025
(press release)
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—The Gracie’s Corner publishing program will debut with two books, TODAY IS GONNA BE A GREAT DAY! and WHAT SOUND DOES THAT LETTER MAKE?, based on the viral videos “Good Morning Song” and “Phonics Song,” publishing in the US on 9/30/2025— —HarperCollins Publishers announced today a three-book publishing deal with the creators of Gracie’s Corner, an innovative children’s brand that creates content designed to entertain, educate, and inspire. A winner in the Outstanding Animated Series and Outstanding Children's Programming categories at the 2025 NAACP Image Awards and nominated for Favorite Female Creator at the 2023 Kids' Choice Awards, Gracie's Corner has become a household name for families worldwide, with a YouTube channel boasting over 5 million subscribers and over 4 billion views. Gracie’s Corner was created by the Houston-based Hollingsworth family after they noticed the lack of diversity in children’s educational entertainment media during the pandemic. With backgrounds in education and music, parents Arlene and Javoris Hollingsworth decided to fill that gap themselves, with Javoris composing and writing each song and their daughter Graceyn singing, using hip-hop and dance to teach preschool concepts. Offering culturally relevant versions of well-known nursery rhymes as well as original songs, Gracie’s Corner provides teachable moments via catchy music and fun videos designed to make kids and families move their bodies. The publishing program will kick off in fall 2025 with a picture book and a board book, adapted from two popular Gracie’s Corner songs. An “I Can Read!” leveled reader will follow in summer 2026. GRACIE’S CORNER: TODAY IS GONNA BE A GREAT DAY! (on sale: September 30, 2025), written by the Hollingsworths and illustrated by Neil Malcolm McKnight, remixes the mega-popular “Good Morning Song” into a paper-over-board picture book that follows Gracie and her friends as they complete their morning routines and prepare for the day. GRACIE’S CORNER: WHAT SOUND DOES THAT LETTER MAKE? (on sale: September 30, 2025), also written by the Hollingsworths, is a board book based on Gracie’s Corner’s most-played YouTube video, “The Phonics Song,” which will teach the alphabet and letter sounds. Dr. Javoris Hollingsworth, Dr. Arlene Hollingsworth, and Graceyn Hollingsworth, Creators, Gracie’s Corner, said: “Through Gracie’s Corner, we empower and educate children from diverse backgrounds with fun and engaging songs that emphasize learning and make kids want to get up and dance. We are overjoyed to expand the magic of our songs into books! It’s an incredible feeling to know that families will not only sing along with us but also read and create lasting memories through stories that reflect the heart of Gracie’s Corner.” Luana Kay Horry, Editorial Director at HarperCollins Publishers, said: “I’m probably one of the biggest Gracie’s Corner fans, so seeing this series branch out into the wonderful world of books is a huge deal; I couldn’t be prouder of this team. Gracie’s Corner is unique in that it engages children and families everywhere to learn, to feel happy, and to move! I am excited for fans and newcomers to feel that same energy in the pages of books, and to add Gracie to their libraries this fall.” About Gracie's Corner Gracie’s Corner is a beloved YouTube animated sing-along series with over 5 million subscribers created by Dr. Arlene Hollingsworth, Dr. Javoris Hollingsworth, and their daughter Graceyn Hollingsworth. The series features Gracie, who sings and dances to fun, engaging tunes on topics ranging from learning the ABCs to celebrating natural hair, Black history, and respect for others. With a deep commitment to highlighting music and sounds from the Black Diaspora and uplifting Black creators both on- and off-screen, the Hollingsworth family brings joy to every episode, leading with love and passion in everything they do. Arlene and Javoris are proud parents to three incredible children, always striving to spark creativity, foster early childhood education, and create lasting memories as a family. About the Illustrator Neil Malcolm McKnight was born and raised in New York and currently resides in Baltimore, Maryland. He studied at the Academy of Art University and majored in storyboarding. Neil loves conveying deep emotions in his characters with vivid and elaborate colors and using captivating storytelling. He has worked with Jordan Peele/Universal Studios on promotional work for the movie Us and Lena Waithe/Showtime on The Chi. About HarperCollins Children's Books HarperCollins Children’s Books is one of the leading publishers of children’s and teen books. Respected worldwide for its tradition of publishing quality, award-winning books for young readers, HarperCollins is home to many timeless treasures and bestsellers such as Charlotte’s Web, Goodnight Moon, The Hate U Give, A Long Walk to Water, The One and Only Ivan, The Polar Express, Where the Sidewalk Ends, and Where the Wild Things Are; series including The Chronicles of Narnia, Curious George, The Giver Quartet, Little Blue Truck, Pete the Cat, Ramona, Red Queen, The School for Good and Evil, and Warriors; and graphic and illustrated novels such as Invisible Emmie, New Kid, and Nimona. Consistently at the forefront of digital innovation, HarperCollins Children’s Books delights readers through engaging storytelling across a variety of formats and platforms, including the largest young adult (YA) book community, Epic Reads, and Shelf Stuff, where kids and parents can discover the best middle grade books. Part of HarperCollins Children’s Books, HarperCollins Productions develops and produces TV, film, and interactive media for HarperCollins’s major franchises, which include Carmen Sandiego, The Oregon Trail, and Pretzel and the Puppies. HarperCollins Children’s Books is a division of HarperCollins Publishers, which is the second-largest consumer book publisher in the world, has operations in 15 countries, and is a subsidiary of News Corp. You can visit HarperCollins Children’s Books at harpercollinschildrens.com and epicreads.com and HarperCollins Publishers at corporate.harpercollins.com. By Dr. Javoris Hollingsworth, Dr. Arlene Hollingsworth, and Graceyn Hollingsworth, illustrated by Neil Malcolm McKnight By Dr. Javoris Hollingsworth, Dr. Arlene Hollingsworth, and Graceyn HollingsworthHarperCollins
On sale: September 30, 2025
ISBN: 9780063416574
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