08/26/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 08/26/2024 14:47
Of all the little moments that can make raising children rewarding, reading bedtime stories is one of those treasured times that are so fleeting. I recall reading stories to my niece, and though at the time she thought that anything I read to her was "ick," those shared memories are something I still cherish. While my chance to read gearhead bedtime stories to a little one is over, if yours is just getting started, Ford is debuting a handful of car-centric children's books that might be worth picking up.
The books come by way of a partnership between Penguin Young Readers and Ford. The Good Night Truck is the first book in a series targeting young readers aged 4-8 and will be released in both English and Spanish on August 27th, 2024. The story revolves around a late-night drive that coaxes a toddler to sleep, so any parent will tell you these books belong in the non-fiction section. The feature vehicle of The Good Night Truck is an F-150, while other books will feature other pillars of Ford's lineup like Bronco and Mustang.
Ford/Penguin Young ReadersFord/Penguin Young ReadersFord/Penguin Young ReadersFord's foray into selling books might seem like some very long-lead advertising , and may well be, but the partnership to Ford branding on all kinds of products is actually a strong revenue stream for Ford and other automakers. Brand recognition might be nothing more than a beneficial side effect.
Regardless of what drives Ford to creating these books, the seven upcoming titles include a variety of subjects sure to be up kids' alleys, even if they aren't that into cars: Ford: Road Trip!, Ford: Colors, Ford: Numbers, Ford: Shapes, Ford Mad Libs, and Ford: Letters. These are the planned releases through spring of 2025, and according to Publisher's Weekly there are more books to come including a First 100 Words book along with some for a slightly older audience, including a search-and-find title, a sticker activity book, and nonfiction readers. This will likely mean readers of a certain age will grow up with this series. Will it guarantee they want an F-150 or a Mustang for their first car? Maybe not, but if it gets and keeps kids reading, then an appreciation for cars is a great side effect.
Ford/Penguin Young Readers