4Kids Entertainment International is to lead the licensing program for preschool property "Penelope" worldwide, excluding Asia and France.

Penelope, a blue koala, is the star of the best-selling books by Anne Gutman and Georg Hallensleben, and first published by licensor Gallimard Jeunesse in France. The books have been translated into 14 languages, with 2 million copies sold worldwide. To date, Gallimard Jeunesse has published 48 titles, including pop-up books, soft cover and gift books. Nippon Animation has produced a "Penelope" TV series, which has aired on Japanese TV since 2007. It is also on France 5, CBeebies and on air in Australia and the Nordics.

In Japan, there are 700 Penelope licensed products across a range of categories, including toys, plush, publishing, personal accessories, apparel, stationery and back-to-school. A "Penelope" musical began in March in Japan and attracted 82,000 theater-goers on its final day. A licensing program has also begun in France with licensees for plush, DVDs, back-to-school and stationery already signed.