Disney Publishing is the world’s largest children’s publisher, with books, magazines and continuity programs in 55 languages in 74 countries, reaching more than 100 million readers monthly.

Disney’s English Language Learning products remain in high demand globally, with Disney’s World of English being introduced in 2002 for the first time to the Hispanic market in the United States.

Hyperion Books For Children released several best-selling books in 2002, including Eoin Colfer’s hit Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident – the sequel to the best-selling children’s thriller Artemis Fowl. More than 1 million copies of this sequel are in print.

One of publishing’s notable successes in 2002 was the global expansion of W.i.t.c.h., a monthly comic magazine developed in Milan, Italy. Available in 18 countries, the magazine addresses real-world issues for girls ages 10 to 14 through characters with supernatural powers. W.i.t.c.h. spawned a successful book series and licensed- merchandise programs.

FamilyFun magazine, with a circulation of 1.55 million, continued to grow its readership in 2002 and expects to reach a circulation of 1.75 million in 2003. Ad Age magazine named FamilyFun one of the 10 best titles of 2002, based on advertising, circulation and content.