Uitgeverij Leopold

What Uitgeverij Leopold does

Uitgeverij Leopold BV is a Dutch children's book publisher founded in 1925 and headquartered in Amsterdam at George Westinghousestraat 2. It operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of WPG Kindermedia BV, itself part of the WPG Uitgevers group, and publishes fiction and non-fiction for readers from birth through young adulthood across Dutch-language markets in the Netherlands and Belgium. Its catalogue spans 306+ authors and illustrators and includes long-running, culturally embedded franchises such as the Kikker/Frog series by Max Velthuijs, Dolfje Weerwolfje by Paul van Loon (30+ volumes over 30+ years), Foeksia de miniheks, De Griezelbus, Spekkie en Sproet, and the Dutch editions of Dav Pilkey's Dog Man. The publisher runs dedicated sub-brands including Epic Books (premium YA with gold-foil production) and Kunstprentenboeken (art picture books), and maintains supplementary educational products such as lesson plans (lesbrieven), colouring pages, audiobooks, e-books, and Loco educational games.

Leopold's business model is a traditional unit-pricing book publisher with three revenue streams: physical book sales (paperback €14.99-€17.99, hardcover up to €27.99, specialty Epic Books at €23.99) through bookstores, online retailers, and public libraries; e-book sales (e.g., €9.99 for Het verraad) via the Kinderboeken.nl webshop and other online channels; and licensing/foreign rights income from reprints, adaptations, and media rights. Go-to-market is sales-led through WPG Media's internal verkoop binnendienst with named account managers (Martine Aspeslagh, Rebekka van Schelven) covering Dutch accounts, and Standaard Uitgeverij handling Belgian bookshop ordering. The company is supported by the Kinderboeken.nl consumer platform, email newsletters segmented by audience (parents, educators, booksellers), Kinderboekenweek/Nationale Voorleesdagen event alignment, cookie-based retargeting, and free downloadable teacher materials that drive bottom-of-funnel conversion.

The technology stack is conventional publishing infrastructure — WordPress CMS, Google Analytics, Complianz cookie consent — with no proprietary platform, no API, no mobile app, and no AI/ML capabilities. The company has no disclosed external funding, no public listing, and operates with 11-50 employees. Recent strategic emphasis has been on franchise reinvestment (Dolfje Weerwolfje's 30th anniversary in 2026, Kikker re-releases), expansion of the YA Epic Books imprint and the bilingual Kunstprentenboeken line, and securing flagship awards including Prentenboek van het Jaar 2027 (Kipjes in de klas) and Beste Boek voor Jongeren 2025 (Maren Stoffels).

Name

Uitgeverij Leopold

Legal name

Uitgeverij Leopold BV

Website

https://leopold.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1925

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Uitgeverij Leopold is a 100-year-old Dutch children's book publisher based in Amsterdam and owned by WPG Kindermedia. It publishes fiction and non-fiction for ages 0-18 across the Benelux, anchored by iconic franchises such as Kikker and Dolfje Weerwolfje, sold via bookstores, libraries, and the Kinderboeken.nl webshop.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Book Publishing

NAICS

Book Publishers (51313)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

Children’s Subscription & Book Club Publishing (MPAJAFAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hardcover & Premium Editions Publishing (MPAJAAAE), Children’s Nonfiction Educational (Science, History, Nature) (EDAGAIAC)

Keywords

• Children's book publishing
• Dutch-language literature
• Young adult fiction
• Illustrated picture books
• Educational reading materials

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Physical Book Sales: Sale of physical books (paperback and hardcover) through bookstores, online retailers, and library supply chains. Books go from printer directly to bookshops and libraries.
2. E-book Sales: Digital e-book editions of titles sold through the Kinderboeken webshop and other online channels.
3. Licences & Rights: The company manages foreign rights, licences, and copyright permissions for its catalogue, including reprints, adaptations, and media rights.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Uitgeverij Leopold publishes Dutch-language children's and young-adult books across paperback, hardcover, e-book, and audiobook formats, organised into recurring series such as Kikker, Dolfje Weerwolfje, Foeksia de miniheks, and the Epic Books YA imprint. The publisher sells titles to consumers through the booktrade (bookstores, libraries, online retailers) in the Netherlands and Belgium, and provides free downloadable lesson plans, colouring pages, and reading guides for teachers via Kinderboeken.nl. Foreign rights, licensing, and reprints are managed for the catalogue.

Product overview

Uitgeverij Leopold is a Dutch children's book publisher belonging to WPG Kindermedia BV (parent company WPG Uitgevers). The company publishes a diverse portfolio of children's and young adult books organized into multiple series and product formats. Core series include the classic Kikker (Frog) series by Max Velthuijs, the long-running Dolfje Weerwolfje series by Paul van Loon (30+ titles), Foeksia de miniheks, De Griezelbus, and the internationally licensed Dog Man series. The company operates specialized imprints including Epic Books for Young Adult titles with premium production quality. Products are available in multiple formats including hardcover, paperback, ebooks, and audiobooks. Leopold also provides supplementary educational materials including lesson plans and activity sheets for teachers, as well as licensed educational games. The 2026 catalog features several new releases tied to Kinderboekenweek (Children's Book Week) with themed story collections.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kikker (Frog) Series Classic children's book series by Max Velthuijs featuring Kikker (Frog) and his friends Eend (Duck), Haas (Hare), and Varkentje (Pig), teaching friendship and life lessons through heartwarming illustrated stories.
• Dolfje Weerwolfje Series Long-running series (30+ books) by Paul van Loon featuring Dolfje, a young werewolf who transforms during full moons, with spooky adventures, humour, and lessons about friendship, illustrated by Hugo van Look.
• Foeksia de miniheks Series Children's series by Paul van Loon about Foeksia, a little witch who attends witch school and experiences magical adventures, illustrated by Saskia Halfmouw.
• De Griezelbus Series Horror/humour series by Paul van Loon about a spooky bus that takes children on terrifying adventures, including graphic novel adaptations.
• Dog Man Series Graphic novel series by Dav Pilkey featuring the half-dog, half-cop hero Dog Man who fights crime with humour and action, published in Dutch by Leopold.
• Epic Books (YA imprint) Young Adult imprint under Leopold featuring epic, thrilling stories with premium production quality including gold foil on covers and coloured page edges, targeting readers aged 13+.
• Kunstprentenboeken (Art Picture Books) Art-themed picture book series introducing children to famous artists, artworks, and art concepts through illustrated stories, with titles about Vincent van Gogh, Escher, Monet, Rembrandt, and others.
• Eiland van de magische dieren (Island of Magical Animals) Fantasy adventure series by Gina Mayer, illustrated by Clara Vath, about children who learn to communicate with magical animals on a secret island.
• Escape Series Thriller series by Maren Stoffels featuring escape room and survival scenarios, including Escape Game, Escape Room, Escape Room 2.0, and Escape Extreme (2025). Maren Stoffels won Beste Boek voor Jongeren 2025.
• Voorleesbundels (Read-Aloud Collections) Collections of stories for reading aloud to children, organized by age groups (around 2–7 years), including seasonal and themed collections.
• Zelfleesbundels (Self-Reading Collections) Reading collections designed for children learning to read independently, organized by grade levels (groep 3–5).
• Luisterboeken (Audiobooks) Audiobook versions of selected Leopold titles, including Het grote luisterboek voor rond de 6 jaar.
• E-books Digital ebook versions of Leopold children's books available for purchase through the Kinderboeken webshop and other online channels at lower price points than physical editions.
• Lesbrieven (Lesson Plans) and Educational Materials Free downloadable educational materials including lesson plans, colouring pages, and activity sheets for teachers, available at kinderboeken.nl/downloads.
• Kinderboekenweek 2026 Themed Story Collections Themed story collections released for the annual Kinderboekenweek (Children's Book Week) 2026 with the theme 'Op het podium' (On stage), organised by primary-school grade bands.

Quantifiable outcome

• 306 authors and illustrators in catalogue
• +4 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• WPG Kindermedia BV (WPG Uitgevers)coreOthersUitgeverij Leopold is a wholly owned subsidiary of WPG Kindermedia BV, part of the broader WPG Uitgevers group. The parent company provides shared infrastructure including sales, marketing, IT, and HR functions. Leopold operates under the WPG Kindermedia umbrella alongside imprints including Uitgeverij Witte Leeuw, Ploegsma, and Uitgeverij Condor.
• Standaard Uitgeverij (Belgium)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStandaard Uitgeverij serves as the dedicated ordering and distribution partner for Leopold books to Belgian bookshops. Belgian retailers contact the Standaard order desk for all Leopold titles.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Clavis Uitgeverij: Belgian children's book publisher with comparable age range coverage (0-18); competes in Belgium market with similar product mix including picture books, middle grade, and YA titles.
• Lannoo: Belgian publisher with significant children's book division; competes in Flanders market and broader Benelux for similar readers and educational channels.
• Standaard Uitgeverij: Belgian publisher that also serves as Leopold's distribution partner for Flemish market; publishes its own children's books and competes for shelf space in Belgian bookshops.
• Uitgeverij Zwijsen: WPG Kindermedia sister imprint specialising in educational and children's literature; shares parent group infrastructure with Leopold and competes for school channel and consumer book sales in Dutch market.
• Uitgeverij Ploegsma: WPG Kindermedia sister imprint publishing Dutch children's fiction; closely comparable in catalogue style, target audience, and parent group integration with Leopold.
• De Fontein: Dutch publisher (under Overamstel Uitgevers) with strong YA and children's fiction list; competes for similar readers in Dutch market with comparable genre focus and target demographic.
• Gottmer Uitgevers: Dutch independent children's book publisher with comparable fiction and non-fiction portfolio across picture books to YA; directly competes in Netherlands and Belgium market for similar authors, illustrators, and shelf space.
• Uitgeverij Witte Leeuw: WPG Kindermedia sister imprint publishing Dutch children's books; sibling publisher under same parent group with overlapping distribution channels and similar audience.

Regional players

• Walker Books: UK independent children's book publisher with comparable mix of picture books, middle grade, and YA; operates in different geography but similar niche focus, quality positioning, and independence from major conglomerates.

Broad incumbents

• Penguin Random House Children's Books: Major global publisher with extensive children's book catalogue; competes at scale rather than niche across all age groups, though broader portfolio dilutes specialised children's focus relative to Leopold's dedicated children's publishing model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uitgeverij-leopold

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Uitgeverij Leopold