Random House Children’s Books to Acquire Cherry Lake Publishing Group
Sleeping Bear Press, Tilbury House, and Other Cherry Lake Imprints to Join Random House Children’s Books, Maintaining Distinct Identities and Leadership.
Random House Children’s Books (RHCB), a division of Penguin Random House, today, November 11, 2025, announced its acquisition of Cherry Lake Publishing Group, a leading independent children’s publisher known for its high-quality trade, library, and educational titles with deep roots in Michigan and the entire Great Lakes region.
The announcement was made by Mallory Loehr, President and Publisher, Random House Children’s Books, and Ben Mondloch, President and Owner, Cherry Lake Publishing Group. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Under the agreement, Cherry Lake Publishing Group will join the Random House Children’s Books division while retaining its editorial independence and creative leadership under Mondloch, who will remain with the company.
Cherry Lake Publishing Group encompasses six esteemed imprints—Sleeping Bear Press, Cherry Lake Press, Cherry Blossom Press, 45th Parallel Press, Torch Graphic Press, and Tilbury House Publishers—each with a distinct editorial focus spanning trade picture books, classroom nonfiction, graphic novels, and titles supporting literacy and social-emotional learning.
Since 2007, Cherry Lake Publishing Group has been a trusted voice in children’s publishing, known for award-winning storytelling, rich educational value, and diverse perspectives. With more than 6,000 active titles in print and a legacy of celebrated authors including Kwame Alexander, Roland Smith, Sandra Dallas, Devin Scillian, Tim Bowers, Petra Brown, and Kayla Harran, Cherry Lake Publishing Group has built strong, lasting relationships across the classroom, library, gift, and trade markets.
The acquisition of Cherry Lake Publishing Group will deepen Random House Children’s Books’ extensive distribution and sales network, expand its reach in both the educational and consumer markets, and further enrich the overall RHCB publishing list. Under the umbrella of Random House Children’s Books, Cherry Lake Publishing Group will continue to operate independently, maintaining its entrepreneurial culture, brand identity, and leadership team. Ben Mondloch will continue to lead the business from its Ann Arbor, Michigan, headquarters, and no changes are planned to Cherry Lake Publishing Group’s location because of the transaction.
“We have long admired Cherry Lake’s commitment to creating books that educate, inspire, and endure,” said Mallory Loehr, President and Publisher, Random House Children’s Books. “Their work in both trade and educational publishing complements our mission to create lifelong readers beautifully, and we look forward to expanding their readership and igniting the imaginations of young people together.”
“We believe joining Random House Children’s Books gives our authors and illustrators the best of both worlds—the creative independence that has defined our work, and the unparalleled reach and resources that will help our books shine even more brightly. Random House Children’s Books’ strength in school, library, and trade channels will help our books reach the broader audience we’ve always envisioned,” said Ben Mondloch, President and Owner, Cherry Lake Publishing Group.
The Fisher Company, a leading consultancy specializing in international mergers and acquisitions, advised Cherry Lake throughout the transaction.