Klutz Press

Klutz Press is an American publishing company established in Palo Alto, California, in 1977. Its distinctive publishing model combines an instructional or activity-based book with the physical components needed to carry out the projects described in it. Rather than treating a book as a standalone text, Klutz developed products intended to function as compact activity kits, often using spiral bindings, illustrated instructions, and attached or packaged materials. The company began with Juggling for the Complete Klutz, a how-to guide created by three Stanford University classmates: Darrell Lorentzen, John Cassidy, and B.C. Rimbeaux. The book was supplied with juggling beanbags in a mesh bag, establishing the format that became central to Klutz's identity. The combination of accessible instruction and included materials helped distinguish the company from conventional children's and hobby publishers. Klutz subsequently expanded into crafts, fashion and jewelry projects, science experiments, toys, games, performance skills, drawing, cooking, and general children's activities. Its publications commonly invite readers to make, manipulate, test, or perform something rather than simply read about a subject. Examples include craft projects involving felt, paper, pom-poms, clay, string, and bottle caps; fashion titles focused on bracelets, lanyards, paper clothing, hairstyles, and accessories; and science-oriented books covering air power, batteries, gadgets, geography, solar vehicles, and mechanical constructions. Some products also incorporated unusual physical components to reinforce the subject matter. Earthsearch: A Kid's Geography Museum in a Book, for example, included packets of rice representing the average daily caloric intake among some of the world's poorest people. Klutz's catalog also includes entertainment and practical how-to titles such as books on juggling, knots, paper airplanes, card games, animation, magic, harmonica, and board games. Other publications, including Doodle Journal, Kids Cooking, The Encyclopedia of Immaturity, and The Official Icky Poo Book, broadened the brand beyond formal skills instruction while retaining its playful, participatory character. In April 2000, Klutz was acquired by the Canadian company Nelvana. In 2002, it became a subsidiary of Scholastic Inc., linking the brand to one of the world's largest educational and children's publishing groups. Klutz's publishing proposition under Scholastic continued to center on books that encourage children and families to create, experiment, play, and learn through direct participation. The brand's stated credo is “Create wonderful things, be good, have fun,” which summarizes its emphasis on creativity, constructive activity, and entertainment. Current operational details, including a separately maintained corporate headquarters and the status of individual backlist titles, are not specified in the available reference material.

Klutz Press was founded in Palo Alto, California, in 1977 by Darrell Lorentzen, John Cassidy, and B.C. Rimbeaux, three classmates who had graduated from Stanford University. The company's first publication was Juggling for the Complete Klutz. It was not presented as an ordinary instructional book: juggling beanbags were supplied in a mesh bag attached to the product, allowing readers to begin practicing the skill immediately. This format became the foundation of Klutz's publishing identity. The company developed around the idea that books could be practical, playful objects rather than containers of information alone. Klutz publications generally combine clearly explained instructions with materials, components, or props that support the activity. Many titles use spiral binding and illustrated, step-by-step presentation, making them suitable for children and families working through projects away from a traditional classroom. The approach spans both skill development and open-ended play. Over time, Klutz built a broad catalog. Craft titles cover paper, felt, clay, string, pom-poms, bottle caps, stickers, and other materials. Fashion-oriented books teach readers to make bracelets, lanyards, hair designs, paper clothing, and accessories. Science titles turn subjects such as air power, batteries, electronics, geography, solar energy, and mechanical motion into experiments or construction projects. The company also published books involving bubbles, impossible objects, toys, games, animation, magic, juggling, knots, paper airplanes, cooking, drawing, and novelty subjects. The brand's activity-driven approach could also be used to explain larger ideas. Earthsearch: A Kid's Geography Museum in a Book included physical items such as rice packets corresponding to the average daily caloric intake among the world's poorest people. Such products demonstrate how Klutz used tangible materials to make abstract or distant subjects more immediate. Klutz was acquired by the Canadian company Nelvana in April 2000. In 2002, the brand became a subsidiary of Scholastic Inc. The acquisition placed Klutz within a major children's and educational publishing organization while preserving its recognizable focus on creativity and participation. Its catalog includes both long-running foundational titles and themed projects connected to children's culture, hobbies, and imaginative play. The company's stated credo, “Create wonderful things, be good, have fun,” expresses the values associated with its products: making things, encouraging constructive behavior, and treating learning as enjoyable. Available reference material does not provide a detailed account of later corporate management, current standalone operations, or the continuing publication status of every title.

• 2002

  Subsidiary of Scholastic

  [1]Klutz Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Klutz becomes part of Scholastic Inc.

• 2000

  Acquisition by Nelvana

  [1]Klutz Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Nelvana acquires Klutz Press in April.

• 1977

  Klutz Press is founded

  [1]Klutz Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Darrell Lorentzen, John Cassidy, and B.C. Rimbeaux establish the company in Palo Alto, California.

• 1977

  First book introduces the Klutz format

  [1]Klutz Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Juggling for the Complete Klutz is published with juggling beanbags in a mesh bag, pairing instruction with the tools required for practice.

A playful, hands-on children's publishing brand that turns books into guided activity kits by pairing instructions with project materials or physical objects.

• How-to and performance skills · 1977

  Juggling for the Complete Klutz

  Klutz's inaugural publication is an accessible guide to juggling supplied with juggling beanbags in a mesh bag. The book established the company's signature practice of pairing illustrated or written instruction with the physical materials needed to perform the activity.

• Crafts

  Craft activity books

  This group includes projects involving felt, clay, paper, string, pom-poms, bottle caps, stickers, tissue paper, and related materials. Titles such as Felted Friends, String Art, Tissue Paper Crafts, and Mini Pom Pom Pets guide readers through making decorative objects, small figures, and wearable or displayable creations.

• Fashion and accessories

  Fashion and jewelry activity books

  Klutz's fashion titles turn bracelets, bands, lanyards, hair styling, paper clothing, and jewelry into guided projects. Examples include Beaded Bands, Loop Loom Bracelets, Headbands and Hairstyles, Paper Fashions, and A Book of Lanyard and Lacing.

• Science education

  Science and experiment books

  Science-oriented titles present experiments and construction activities for younger readers. Air Power, Battery Science, Explorabook, Earthsearch, Gotcha Gadgets, The Solar Car Book, and LEGO Chain Reactions connect explanations with physical experimentation, models, or project components.

• Entertainment and performance

  The Klutz Book of Magic

  A hands-on guide to magic and performance activities, consistent with Klutz's broader practice of teaching a skill through approachable instructions and an entertaining, participatory format.

• Children's activity and novelty books

  The Encyclopedia of Immaturity

  A two-volume set focused on playful activities, jokes, diversions, and unconventional children's content. It represents Klutz's expansion beyond formal crafts and science into books designed primarily for amusement and shared play.

• Cooking and practical activities

  Kids Cooking

  A children's cooking title that applies Klutz's activity-centered approach to food preparation and practical learning. The available reference does not specify its recipes, included components, or publication date.

• 2002

  Integration into ScholasticM&A

  Background

  Following Nelvana's ownership, Klutz was incorporated into Scholastic's children's and educational publishing portfolio.

  Action taken

  Klutz became a subsidiary of Scholastic Inc.

  Aftermath

  The brand remained associated with activity-driven children's publishing under Scholastic ownership.

  Source

• 2000

  Sale of Klutz Press to NelvanaM&A

  Background

  Klutz had developed a recognizable catalog of hands-on books and activity products since its 1977 founding.

  Action taken

  Nelvana acquired Klutz Press in April 2000.

  Aftermath

  Klutz continued as part of a larger corporate group before subsequently becoming a Scholastic subsidiary.

  Source

1. 1Klutz Pressen.wikipedia.org