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Registered number:
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
COMPANY INFORMATION
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
CONTENTS
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
The directors present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025.
The directors' report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies exemptions of s415A of the Companies Act 2006.
The Company is exempt from the requirement to prepare a Strategic Report under section 414A of the Companies Act 2006.
The Company is a joint venture between Penguin Books Limited (“PBL”) and BBC Studios Distribution Limited (“BBC”). As PBL owns 75% of the joint venture the Company is treated as its subsidiary. The Company is domiciled and registered in the United Kingdom. The principal activity of the Company continues to be book publishing.
The directors who served during the year were:
The Company has not disclosed information in respect of greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption as it satisfies the thresholds for exemption and its energy consumption in the United Kingdom is less than 40,000kWh for the year.
The auditor, Grant Thornton UK LLP, will be proposed for reappointment in accordance with section 485 of the Companies Act 2006.
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
This report was approved by the board and signed on its behalf.
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
The directors are responsible for preparing the Directors' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including Financial Reporting Standard 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’. Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of the profit or loss of the Company for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:
∙select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
∙make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
∙state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
∙prepare the on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in business.
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and to enable them to ensure that the comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
We have audited the financial statements of Children's Character Books Limited (the 'Company') for the year ended 31 December 2025, which comprise the Statement of comprehensive income, the Balance sheet, the Statement of changes in equity and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the Company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Standard and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED (CONTINUED)
We are responsible for concluding on the appropriateness of the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the company's ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify the auditor’s opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our report. However, future events or conditions may cause the company to cease to continue as a going concern.
In our evaluation of the directors’ conclusions, we considered the inherent risks associated with the company's business model including effects arising from macro-economic uncertainties such as the cost of living crisis impacting consumer spending patterns and the impact of worldwide events such as the Middle East conflict, we assessed and challenged the reasonableness of estimates made by the directors and the related disclosures and analysed how those risks might affect the company's financial resources or ability to continue operations over the going concern period.
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report and financial statements other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report and financial statements. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED (CONTINUED)
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
∙the information given in the Directors' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
∙the Directors' report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Directors' report.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED (CONTINUED)
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists.
Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below:
∙We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks applicable to the Company and industry in which it operates through our general commercial and sector experience, discussions with management and review of board minutes. We determined that the following laws and regulations were most significant: United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), the Companies Act 2006 and the relevant tax compliance regulations in the UK. Explain how the auditor obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the entity and how the entity is complying with that framework;
∙We enquired of management concerning the Company's policies and procedures relating to:
∙the identification, evaluation and compliance with laws and regulations;
∙the detection and response to the risks of fraud; and
∙the establishment of internal controls to mitigate risks related to fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations.
∙We enquired of management and those charged with governance, whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations or whether they had any knowledge of actual, suspected of alleged fraud.
∙We assessed the susceptibility of the Company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur and the risk of management override of controls. Audit procedures are performed by the engagement team included:
∙identifying and assessing the design effectiveness of controls management has in place to prevent and detect fraud;
∙challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in its significant accounting estimates;
∙identifying and testing journal entries, in particular journal entries posted with unusual account combinations that increased revenues or that reduced costs in the Profit and loss account; and
∙assessing the extent of compliance with the relevant laws and regulations as part of our procedures on the related financial statement item.
∙In addition, we completed audit procedures to conclude on the compliance of disclosures in the Annual report and financial statements with applicable financial reporting requirements.
∙These audit procedures were designed to provide reasonable assurance that the financial statements were free from fraud or error. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED (CONTINUED)
risk of not detecting one resulting from error and detecting irregularities that result from fraud is inherently more difficult than detecting those that result from error, as fraud may involve collusion, deliberate concealment, forgery or intentional misrepresentations. Also, the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it;
∙It is the engagement director’s assessment that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence and capabilities to identify or recognise non-compliance with laws and regulations. The assessment of the appropriateness of the collective capabilities of the engagement team included consideration of the engagement team’s understanding and experience of, and practical experience with, engagements of a similar nature and complexity, including appropriate training.
∙We communicated relevant laws and regulations and potential fraud risks to all engagement team members. We remained alert to any indications of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations throughout the audit.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
This report is made solely to the Company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company's members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Senior statutory auditor
for and on behalf of
Statutory Auditor, Chartered Accountants
Milton Keynes
21 May 2026
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
REGISTERED NUMBER: 05032989
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2025
The notes on 12 to 28 form part of these financial statements.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board and were signed on its behalf by:
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
Children’s Character Books Limited ("the Company") is a book publisher. The Company is a joint venture between Penguin Books Limited (“PBL”) and BBC Studios Distribution Limited (“BBC”). As PBL owns 75% of the joint venture the Company is treated as its subsidiary. The Company is a private company limited by shares and is incorporated in the United Kingdom. The address of its registered office is One Embassy Gardens, 8 Viaduct Gardens, London, SW11 7BW.
2.Accounting policies
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention unless otherwise specified within these accounting policies and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 'Reduced Disclosure Framework' (FRS 101) and the Companies Act 2006.
In preparing these financial statements, the Company applies the recognition, measurement and disclosure requirements of UK-adopted international accounting standards (“UK-adopted IFRS”), but makes amendments where necessary in order to comply with Companies Act 2006 and has set out below where advantage of the FRS 101 disclosure exemptions has been taken. The preparation of financial statements in compliance with FRS 101 requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise judgment in applying the Company's accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the financial statements are disclosed in note 3. The following principal accounting policies have been applied:
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
2.Accounting policies (continued)
The Company has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemptions under FRS 101:
∙the requirements of IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures
∙the requirements of paragraphs 91-99 of IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement
∙the requirement in paragraph 38 of IAS 1 'Presentation of Financial Statements' to present comparative information in respect of:
- paragraph 79(a)(iv) of IAS 1;
- paragraph 73(e) of IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment;
- paragraph 118(e) of IAS 38 Intangible Assets;
∙the requirements of the following paragraphs of IAS 1, 'Presentation of financial statements':
- 10(d) statement of cash flows; - 10(f) statement of financial position as at the beginning of the preceding period when retrospective restatement or reclassifications apply; - 16 statement of compliance with all IFRS; - 38A requirement for minimum of two primary financial statements, including cash flow statements; - 38B, 38C, 38D additional comparative information; - 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D requirements to provide additional statements in respect of retrospective restatements and reclassifications; - 111 statement of cash flows information; and - 134 - 136 capital management disclosures.
∙the requirements of IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows
∙the requirements of paragraphs 30 and 31 of IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors
∙the requirements of paragraph 17 and 18A of IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures
∙the requirements in IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures to disclose related party transactions entered into between two or more members of a group, provided that any subsidiary which is a party to the transaction is wholly owned by such a member
This information is included in the consolidated financial statements of Bertelsmann SE & Co KGaA as at 31 December 2025 and these financial statements may be obtained from Bertelsmann SE & Co KGaA, Corporate Communications, Carl Bertelsmann Strasse 270, Postfach 111, D-33311 Gütersloh, Germany.
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
2.Accounting policies (continued)
In preparing these financial statements, the directors have assessed the ability of the Company to continue to operate for a period of at least twelve months from the date of signing the financial statements.
The Company has undertaken a risk assessment and forecasting exercise to assess the Company’s liquidity position. The forecast for the going concern period has been prepared using the three year plan approved by the Board and takes account of prior trends and expected titles to be published in the future and key cost drivers such as commodity prices and inflation.The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which the directors consider to be appropriate given the following considerations. Based on the Company’s current trading performance, the sensitivity and reverse stress testing scenarios performed and the written confirmation of support from Penguin Books Limited, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, being a period of no less than twelve months from the date of approval of these financial statements. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, and represents amounts receivable for goods supplied, stated net of discounts, returns and value added taxes. The Company recognises revenue when performance obligations have been satisfied and for the Company this is when the goods (books) have transferred to the customer and the customer has control of these. The Company’s activities are described in detail below. The Company bases its estimate of return on historical results, taking into consideration the type of customer, the type of transaction and the specifics of each arrangement.
Sale of books
Revenue from the sale of books is recognised at the point in time when title passes. This is generally at the point of delivery when title passes to the customer and a present right to payment occurs. A liability for anticipated returns is made based primarily on historical return rates. If these estimates do not reflect actual returns in future periods, then revenue could be understated or overstated for a particular period. This estimate of anticipated returns is recognised in creditors in the balance sheet.
Digital sales
Revenue from the sale of Ebooks and audio sales are recognised at a point in time when the content is delivered. This is commonly when the customer has access to the download and a present right to payment occurs.
Principal v agent considerations
The Company may enter contracts with another party in addition to the customer in the arrangement. An assessment is made for each such contract as to who understands the related good or service prior to the transfer to the end customer to determine if revenue should be recognised on a gross or net basis. Where the Company acts as agent, revenue represents any commissions and fees receivable for such services rendered. Any third-party costs incurred on behalf of the principal that are rechargeable under the contractual arrangement are included in turnover with a corresponding expense recognised in the income statement.
Income from subrights
Revenue from licensing and subrights, including film, overseas and electronic, is recognised when
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
2.Accounting policies (continued)
the performance obligation under the agreement has been satisfied. This is at the point in time when the associated material is transferred.
An assessment is made on each contract as to the relevant performance obligations to assess whether the customer receives a right to access or use the Company’s intellectual property. Where the performance obligation is deemed over time, an appropriate recognition framework is created based on the consumption and provision of the goods or service in question.
For related sales-based royalties of license of Company’s intellectual property, the income is recognised as the subsequent sale occurs. Where the third party sales information is not readily available at the reporting date, an estimation is made based on the information available to hand. An adjusting post balance sheet adjustment is made where subsequent information is received post year end but before the date of approval of the financial statements.
Advances of royalties paid to authors are included within debtors and are recognised once a signature advance has been paid or manuscript has been accepted or marked as future accepted on the title. Advances of royalties paid to authors under licensing agreements are recognised based on the related performance obligation identified in the contract. Where the advance is not linked to any further obligations by the proprietor, the advance is recognised upon signing of the contract or a specific date identified in the contract.
Advances are presented at their net realisable value, being the advance less any write down or valuation allowance. Management apply judgement in their bi-annual assessment to unpublished books as to whether the book will sustain economic loss based on the future projections of revenues and associated costs. For published titles, a quarterly assessment determines whether the unearned royalty advances of a particular title is recoverable based on the projected future sales of the title and the related royalty income. Once the author advance is earned out, future author payments are expensed at the contracted or effective royalty rate as the related turnover is earned.
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
2.Accounting policies (continued)
Functional and presentation currency
The Company's functional and presentational currency is GBP. Items included in the financial statements are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates. The financial statements are presented in pound sterling, which is also the functional currency of the Company.
Transactions and balances
Transactions in a currency other than the functional currency (“foreign currency”) are translated into the functional currency using the spot exchange rates at the dates of the transactions. At each period end foreign currency monetary items are translated using the closing rate. Management assess the underlying asset and liability in the transaction to determine the nature of the foreign exchange gains and losses. As this results from operating activities gains and losses resulting from the settlement of transactions and from the translation at period end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies, are recognised in the profit and loss account within ‘Administrative expenses’. Non-monetary assets and liabilities that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies that are stated at fair value are retranslated to the functional currency at foreign exchange rates ruling at the dates the fair value was determined. Foreign exchange differences arising on translation are recognised in the profit and loss account under administrative expenses.
Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. The following temporary differences are not provided for: the initial recognition of goodwill; the initial recognition of assets or liabilities that affect neither accounting nor taxable profit other than in a business combination, and differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that they will probably not reverse in the foreseeable future. The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner of realisation or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.
A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the temporary difference can be utilised.
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
2.Accounting policies (continued)
Goodwill arises on the acquisition of subsidiaries and represents the excess of the consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree, the acquisition-date fair value of any previous equity interest in the acquiree and the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. At the effective date of adopting FRS 101 the balance of goodwill was £nil.
Goodwill is capitalised as an intangible asset and is not amortised in line with IFRS 3. Goodwill is annually reviewed for indicators of impairment as well as comparison to its discounted project profit. Management apply judgement in determining a relevant value of the projected sales and profit of the individual investments. Any impairment charge identified as a result is charged to the profit or loss.
Non-financial assets not ready to use are not subject to amortisation and are tested annually for impairment.
Assets that are subject to amortisation are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable in accordance to IAS 36. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount, being the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs of disposal or value in use. For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which independent cash inflows are generated(cash-generating units). Prior impairments of non-financial assets are reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date, if there have been favourable events or changes in circumstances, since the impairment loss was recognised that would indicate that the impairment loss no longer exists or might have decreased.
Stocks mainly comprise finished goods and work in progress in respect of books and are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is determined using FIFO method.
Cost includes the direct costs of paper, printing and binding incurred on a title-by-title basis. Plant costs, which do not vary with the number of copies printed (for example typesetting, origination and illustration), are charged to the income statement in full on publication. A provision is made for excess, obsolete and slow-moving stocks by considering the future expected sales and comparing to the current quantity held. Any provision for obsolete stock is charged to the profit and loss and included in the value of Inventory as shown in note 11. Net realisable value is calculated as the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less applicable variable selling expenses.
The Company classifies it's financial assets in the following categories:
- Amortised cost
- Fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL)
- Fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI)
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
2.Accounting policies (continued)
The classification depends on the purpose for which the financial assets were acquired i.e. the entity's business model for managing the financial assets and/or the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial asset. Financial assets are not reclassified subsequent to their initial recognition unless the Company changes its business model for managing financial assets in which case all affected financial assets are reclassified on the first reporting period following the change in the business model.
A debt investment is measured at FVOCI if it meets both of the following conditions and is not designated as at FVTPL:
- it is held within a business model whose objective is achieved by both collecting contractual cash flows and selling financial assets; and
- its contractual terms give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding.
Subsequent to initial recognition these are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Interest income from these financial assets is included in finance income using the effective interest rate method. Any gain or loss arising on de-recognition is recognised directly in profit or loss and presented in other (expenses)/income together with foreign exchange gains and losses. Impairment losses are presented as a separate line item in the profit or loss under 'net impairment losses on financial and contract assets'.
On initial recognition of any equity investment that is not held for trading, the Company may irrevocable elect to present subsequent changes in the investment's fair value in OCI. This election is made on an investment-by-investment basis.
All financial assets not classified as measured at amortised cost or FVOCI as described above are measured at FVTPL. This includes all derivative financial assets. The Company does not have any assets classified at FVOCI nor FVTPL.
The Company assesses at the end of each reporting period whether there is objective evidence that one or more event has occurred which has impacted on the estimated cash flows of the financial asset.
Financial assets are impaired and impairment losses are incurred only if such objective evidence of impairment can be reliably measured.
Trade debtors and amounts owed by group undertakings are stated at amortised cost after provision for bad and doubtful debts.
The Company applies IFRS 9 when using the expected credit loss model. Management adopts the “simplified approach” to determine an amount equal to the lifetime expected credit losses for insignificant trade debtors and a risk score on an individual basis for significant trade debtors. To measure the expected credit losses, trade debtors are grouped based on shared credit risk characteristics and the balance of uninsured debt across the Company.
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
2.Accounting policies (continued)
Bank and cash balances include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short- term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. In the balance sheet, bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in creditors: amounts falling due within one year.
Trade and other creditors are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers or a commitment to provide goods and services where monies have been receipted. Provisions are charged as an expense to profit or loss in the year that the Company becomes aware of the obligation, and are measured at the best estimate at the balance sheet date of the expenditure required to settle the obligation, taking into account relevant risks and uncertainties.
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
Page 20
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
Analysis of turnover by country of destination:
The Company has no employees. Staff costs relate exclusively to an allocation of director's remuneration recharged to the Company from the group entity who contractually employs them. See note 7 for further detail.
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
Four of the directors who served during the year have service contracts with Random House Group Limited ("RHG"). A proportion of their time and efforts relate to the Company and therefore an allocation of their emoluments are included in these financial statements.
Two of the directors who served during the year have service contracts with BBC Studios Distribution Limited (“BBC”). The services of these directors to the Company are deemed to be incidental and accordingly there are no emoluments included in these financial statements.
Retirement benefits are accruing to two directors (2024: one) under a defined benefit pension scheme and to four directors (2024: four) under a money purchase scheme.
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
Profit and loss account
There were commitments to authors for the payment of royalty advances amounting to £Nil at 31 December 2025 (2024: £Nil).
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CHILDREN'S CHARACTER BOOKS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
Creditor balances are unsecured and no guarantees have been received. Creditor balances will be settled in cash.
The Company's immediate parent company is Penguin Books Limited ("PBL"). The Company’s ultimate controlling party is Bertelsmann SE & Co KGaA, which is incorporated in Germany. Copies of Bertelsmann SE & Co KGaA’s consolidated financial statements (the smallest and largest financial statements in which the Company is consolidated) can be obtained from:
Bertelsmann SE & Co KGaA
Corporate Communications
Carl Bertelsmann Strasse 270
33311 Gütersloh, Germany
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