The collection

The collection is based in Racy Red and Creamy Maple finishes. But the case pieces are shipped with two reversible panels for each drawer front, one in the red and a nutmeg finish; the other in antique black and butter cream.

Interchangeable knobs featuring the inchworm character also will be available. But the most distinctive element of the furniture is the art panels. There are seven different panels available, and each features one of the lessons depicted in the books. They include “Giraffes taught me to r-e-a-c-h for the stars,” and “Bears taught me … that snuggling up for the night invites sweet dreams.” The panels on the door chest, panel bed, growth chart chest and storage chest can be reversed to the Creamy Maple finish when a child outgrows the designs.

Retail prices are $599 for a queen bed with rails; $499 for the growth chart chest; $399 for the vanity writing desk; and $299 for the nightstand.

"With the economy being the way it is, and the youth business being as competitive as it is, we’re very sensitive to where we’re pricing things," said Michael Charlton, vice president of product development and merchandising for Riverside.

This Growth Chart Chest features the giraffe art panel. The ruler is a removable decal.

The furniture is made of poplar solids with maple veneers, and pieces are being produced both domestically and overseas.

Allison Stoutland, author of the Inch books, and Cathy Hofher, the books’ illustrator, said they were thrilled with the opportunity that this furniture collection has afforded them.

“These little lessons have so much potential,” said Stoutland. “The way people react when they read these books – it’s almost always like, ‘this is what the world needs right now.’ ”

Riverside identified Inch By Inch as a prospective licensing partner after Linda Owen, director of marketing for the manufacturer, read an article about the books and their creators in Kids Today about 18 months ago.

“The smart people at Riverside came across our story, and just knew we were waiting to be had,” said Stoutland. “… We were just two girls with a crazy dream. It’s kind of Cinderella-like.”

Stoutland and Hofher are pursuing other licensing opportunities, including a character license for the celebrated inchworm, named Persie (for perseverance), as well as other juvenile product categories. The Imaginations Youth collection will be appearing at premarket in High Point this month, with a full debut in April.

Riverside is aggressively promoting the line already to its dealer network, and has plans for promotional events during market, including a pajama party book-signing at Barnes & Noble in High Point on April 1.