Scholastic Acquires Early Childhood Publisher Cottage Door Press for $71 Million

Scholastic has agreed to purchase Cottage Door Press, a children's publisher specializing in early childhood education, for $71 million in a deal expected to close by year-end 2026. The acquisition will fold Cottage Door into Scholastic's Children's Book Group while maintaining its current editorial staff, though the publisher's Luna StoryTime interactive toy line will be spun off before the transaction completes. Cottage Door generated approximately $45 million in annual revenue and was considered highly profitable at the time of acquisition.

Scholastic's move to acquire Cottage Door Press represents a significant consolidation in the children's publishing sector, particularly within the early childhood segment. The $71 million deal values a publisher that has maintained strong financial performance, with nearly $45 million in annual revenue and healthy profit margins. The integration strategy allows Scholastic to absorb Cottage Door's editorial capabilities and catalog while streamlining operations under its existing Children's Book Group structure.

The transaction does involve a notable carve-out: Cottage Door's Luna StoryTime product line, which comprises interactive electronic toys, will be separated before the deal closes. This suggests the two businesses operate on different models, with Scholastic focusing on the traditional publishing assets rather than the educational toy segment that complemented Cottage Door's book offerings.