Cirrus@Austlit

'One of the most prestigious children's paperback publishers in the United States, Puffin Books was founded on a strong literary tradition and a commitment to publishing a successful mix of classic children's fiction and the best new literature. Over the years, Puffin has transformed from a small, yet distinguished paperback house, into one of the largest, most diverse, and successful children's publishers in business, publishing everything from picture books to ground-breaking middle grade and teen fiction. Puffin began in England in 1941 when Allen Lane, publisher of Penguin Books, and Noel Carrington, a publisher of natural history books, teamed up to produce the first line of quality paperbacks for children. Puffin USA didn't get its start until 1978, when Penguin acquired Viking Kestrel and Viking's paperback line, Seafarer Books.' (Publisher website: http://us.penguingroup.com/static/packages/us/about/youngreaders/puffin.html sighted 04/01/2007)